Crane Safety

Crane Operations and Rigging Equipment
This safety topic applies to all types of cranes including

mobile and fixed cranes (e.g., overhead and gantry cranes)
and the use of slings and other rigging hardware.
Crane/Lifting Equipment Inspections
1. Inspect all Saudi Aramco, contractor, or third-party
mobile and fixed cranes prior to use with the Saudi
Aramco Crane Operator Daily Inspection Checklist
found in GI 7.028.
2. Operate only cranes that have a valid inspection sticker
from Saudi Aramco or a Saudi Aramco approved third
party.
3. Verify that supplemental lifting equipment used
below the hook (e.g., spreader bars, manbaskets)
has a valid inspection sticker.
Crane Operations
1. Do not operate a crane unless you are:
• Certified per the requirements of GI 7.025 for
the mobile crane, fixed crane, or extensions/
attachments indicated on the certificate, or
• Under the direct supervision of a qualified trainer.
• Performing crane maintenance or inspection duties.
2. Communicate details of any crane lifts to the affected
personnel in the area of operation.
3. Use universal hand or radio signals for communication
between the designated signal man and crane
operator.
4. Do not obstruct the crane operator’s line of sight to
the designated signal man.
5. Keep all cab glass clean without obstructions (e.g.,
curtains, cardboard) or damage. Cab glass must be
safety glass.
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6. Use tag lines to control all suspended loads, except
when their use may create a greater hazard.
7. Do not side load (i.e., be sure to center the hook
directly over the load).
8. Avoid suspending loads over personnel, equipment,
or traffic areas.
9. Know the accurate weight of all loads and lifting gear
prior to the lift.
10. Transport personnel only using approved crane-
suspended personnel platforms (manbaskets).
11. Use fully extended outriggers with appropriate float
pads and mats when performing crane lifts. Do not
permanently secure mats to the outrigger pads.
12. Do not leave the crane cab unattended while a load is
suspended, unless the load is properly secured to a
load-bearing structural member.
13. Position (lower) hydraulic crane booms and secure the
hook while traveling.
14. Do not perform crane lifts at wind speeds above 32
km/h (20 mph) unless otherwise specified by the
manufacturer.
15. Do not perform crane-suspended personnel platform
(manbasket) operations at wind speeds greater than
25 km/h (15 mph).
16. Maintain the following minimum distances when
conducting crane operations near trenches and
excavations:
• Depth of the trench or excavation for Class A
soils.
• 2X the depth of the trench or excavation for
Class B and C soils (see the Excavation and
Trenching safety topic for soil classifications).
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17. Maintain the minimum distances provided in Table 2
in the Electrical Safety safety topic when operating
cranes around overhead power lines.
18. Use Critical Lift Plans (see GI 7.028) for certain
conditions and activities, including:
• Cranes operating around power lines.
• Operating around hydrocarbons and aboveground
pressurized piping areas, populated/traffic areas,
and railroads.
• All loads of 40 tons or greater.
• All loads exceeding 85% of the rated load
capacity of the crane for that specific lift.
• Tandem, multiple, or tailing lifts (any lift requiring
two or more cranes to lift one load).
• Lifts involving a crane-suspended personnel
platform (manbasket). A Crane Suspended
Personnel Platform (Manbasket) Permit is
required (see GI 7.027).
• High level and/or long reach crane lifts.
• Lifts on barges, vessels, or loading piers.
• On rubber or pick and carry lifts.
• Nighttime crane lifts, except as approved during
a turnaround and inspection (T&I) or shutdown.
• Blind lifts.
• Other lifts as determined by Saudi Aramco
management.
Rigging Practices and Inspection
1. Rig all crane loads using a certified rigger.
2. Use accepted rigging techniques when lifting loads.
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3. Use only rigging equipment that is rated for the load
being lifted.
4. Avoid sharp bends in slings; protect slings from sharp
edges and abrasions.
5. Rig loads off load-bearing structural members only
after prior approval. Do not rig from process piping.
6. Do not modify, repair, shorten, or lengthen slings.
Verify that the manufacturer’s safe working load
(SWL) and serial number are clearly marked on each
sling.
7. Do not use sling angles less than 30 degrees above
the horizontal. The recommended safe working angle
is 60 degrees above the horizontal.
8. Completely close/bolt shackles and other connecting
devices.
9. Do not use fasteners or other rigging hardware
manufactured in-house.
10. Ensure a rigger certified per the requirements of GI
7.025 inspects all slings, fittings, and shackles before
each use.
11. Inspect slings and other rigging hardware per
applicable standards every 6 months using a certified
rigger.
12. Maintain a job-site log of slings that identifies the
sling and periodic inspection results. Record defective
slings in the log and remove them promptly from the
job site.
13. Inspect and certify all “A-Frames” by a certified
inspector prior to attaching any rigging equipment.
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Crane Operations and Rigging Equipment

This safety topic applies to all types of cranes including

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