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Effective Feb. 27th, 2009 - Cal-OSHA changes Rigger Language
Friday | June 5, 2009
Cal-OSHA has revised existing language to help make clear the responsibility of a Rigger to be Qualified.
Check out this link for the Cal-OSHA details: http://www.dir.ca.gov/OSHsb/properlyrigged0.html
Now is a great time for Employers to take a second look at their training programs, as well as look into the "Certification" Option.
Check out this link for the Certification details: http://www.nccco.org/news/BasicRiggerProgramAvailable.html
Cal/OSHA Proposals for Adoption: One Word Delays Rigging Revise Vote
Wednesday | October 29, 2008
A Cal/OSH Standards Board member wants to make sure that riggers get the supervision they need to prevent catastrophic incidents. So he proposed a single word to reinforce the message in a revision up for adoption. The board accepted his proposal, which will result in a 15-day notice of proposed modification and adoption at the November board meeting.
Proposed revisions to General Industry Safety Orders (GISO) §4999 are the result of an injury case in which an administrative law judge ruled that a Division of Occupational Safety and Health interpretation of the safety order "is not reasonably comprehensible to employers and depends on obscure information."
The ALJ upheld a violation of the safety order in the incident, in which a worker was seriously injured when a two-ton steel tank suspended by four overhead cranes fell because it was improperly rigged. But the violation was dropped to a general classification and the penalty of more than $14,000 was vacated because there are no guidelines in the safety order from which an employer can determine if rigging complies with the standard.
"Board staff believes that to prevent accidents like the one described above, Section 4999 must be very clear about requiring that loads be rigged only by persons trained and competent to do so," according to the proposal.
The rulemaking action also requires hook latches or gates to be closed to prevent slings from being displaced and prohibita side-loading of the boom, except in certain instances. The proposal also cross-references to Construction Safety Orders §1710(d) and GISO §5001.
Board labor representative Steve Rank observed that in addition to the high-profile crane incidents that have happened in recent months, there are many "unseen" incidents caused by workers who are not properly trained, resulting in amputations and worse.
"In our industry, we rig and hoist loads hundreds of thousands of times, and this is a fundamental activity of the construction industry," Rank said. He asked that the board add the word "direct" to a provision requiring that loads be rigged by a quality person or a trainee under direct supervision of a qualified rigger.
Because the proposal already has been subject to a public hearing and the board was set to vote on it, it was sent back to staff for the addition and will be published as a modification.
Insulating Equipment Update
The board adopted an update to national consensus standards on insulating protective equipment regulated by High Voltage Electrical Safety Orders §2940.6, Appendix C.
The references to ASTM International specifications for gloves, sleeves, blankets, matting and other insulating equipment are outdated by at least 10 to 15 years.
The proposal also clarifies that the ASTM standards are listed in reference to the required electrical testing intervals for the equipment, and corrects a reference on the testing interval for rubber insulating gloves. And it adds provisions consistent with ASTM standards and Fed-OSHA requirements on electrical testing of materials that have been electrically tested but not recently issued for service.
For a chart of the changes to §2940.6, see News, Sept. 26, 2008, p. 9292.
Rigging Proposal at a Glance
GISO §4999 revisions at a glance:
"The qualified person (rigger) shall be trained and capable of safely performing the rigging operation. Crane loads shall be rigged by a qualified person (rigger) or by a trainee under the direct supervision of a qualified person (rigger).
"NOTE: For additional rigging requirements pertaining to erection of structures, refer to Construction Safety Orders §1710(d). For signal requirements, refer to Section 5001 of these Orders.
"Slings shall comply with Article 101 of these Orders. "Side loading of the boom shall be prohibited except as permitted in subsection (g) of this section."
Cal-OSHA Reporter, ISSN 1054-1209 Copyright © 2008 Providence Publications, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
OSHA Proposed Rule Published
Thursday | October 9, 2008
The Department of Labor today published OSHA′s much awaited Proposed Rule revising 29 CFR 1926 governing the use of cranes and derricks in construction. Publication followed soon after the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed their review last month. The full text of the Proposed Rule and its extensive preamble can be accessed here.
Under the 60-day public review period provided for, all comments must be received by federal OSHA before December 8.
Click below for the PDF version of the story.
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