Roles & Responsibilities

In different projects, the way things are organized might vary, but here we'll talk about certain roles to help understand who does what. These roles are important for making sure everyone knows their responsibilities. Sometimes, one person might do more than one of these jobs. Expand any of the definitions below to view the role's responsibilities.

Note: for reference, see ASME B30.5 and OSHA 3433-10R.

The Controlling Entity is tasked with ensuring that the ground conditions are suitable to support the equipment. Moreover, they must inform both the Crane User and the Crane Operator of any hazards located beneath the equipment setup area, such as voids, tanks, or utilities, as documented in materials like site drawings, as-built drawings, or soil analyses in their possession, whether onsite or offsite. A contractor operating a crane on a construction site may not have the ability or authority to provide for adequate ground conditions at the site. The standard, therefore, places the responsibility for ensuring that the ground conditions are adequate on the 'controlling entity' at the site, that is the prime contractor, general contractor, construction manager, or other legal entity with overall responsibility for the project's planning, quality, and completion.

If there is no controlling entity for the project, the responsibility for providing adequate ground conditions rests on the employer that has authority at the site to make or arrange for ground preparations.

Responsibilities of the Crane Owner and Crane User can vary depending on the situation. Sometimes, the owner and user are the same, meaning they're responsible for everything listed here. Other times, the user might rent a crane from the owner without getting any additional support. Here are the responsibilities of the Crane Owner:

  • Making sure the crane meets all the requirements and specifications for the job.
  • Providing the crane and all its parts as specified by the manufacturer, meeting the user's needs.
  • Giving the user all the necessary load rating charts and diagrams.
  • Providing any extra technical information needed for using the crane.
  • Supplying assembly, operation, maintenance instructions, and safety decals as recommended by the crane manufacturer.
  • Setting up a program for inspecting, testing, and maintaining the crane, and informing the user about it.
  • Assigning qualified personnel for tasks like maintenance, repair, assembly, and inspection.
  • Keeping records of rope information for each drum on the crane.

Responsibilities of the Crane User:

  • Following all the rules and regulations laid out in this document, as well as any instructions from the crane manufacturer and any laws at the worksite.
  • Making sure that supervisors overseeing crane activities are qualified as defined in the document.
  • Checking that the crane is in good condition before using it at the worksite by:
  • Confirming that the crane owner has provided documentation showing that the crane meets the required standards.
  • Checking that the crane has undergone a frequent inspection as outlined in the document.
  • Making sure that the crane has enough lifting capacity for the planned lifting operations in its current setup. Load rating charts can be temporarily removed for planning purposes but must be put back before using the crane.
  • Ensuring that crane operators meet the necessary requirements and are qualified to operate the specific crane assigned to them.
  • Informing crane operators about any adjustments or repairs that haven't been completed before they start operating the crane.
  • Designating personnel for maintenance, repair, transportation, assembly, disassembly, and overseeing lifting activities.
  • Assigning personnel for inspections as required.
  • Making sure all personnel involved in lifting activities, maintenance, repair, transportation, assembly, disassembly, and inspection understand their responsibilities, duties, and any associated risks.
  • Following the inspection, testing, and maintenance programs specified by the crane owner.
  • Informing the crane owner if any rope on the crane is replaced or shortened. If a rope is replaced, providing the wire rope information and the date of replacement.

Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor:

  • Making sure the crane meets all requirements outlined before it's used at the site for the first time.
  • Checking if there are any additional rules or regulations that apply to crane operations.
  • Designating a qualified person to act as the lift director.
  • Coordinating crane operations with other activities happening on the job site that could be affected by or affect the lifting operations.
  • Ensuring that the area where the crane will be used is properly prepared. This includes:
  • Making sure there are access roads for the crane and its equipment.
  • Providing enough space to assemble and disassemble the crane.
  • Ensuring the operating area is suitable for the crane in terms of levelness, surface conditions, support capability, and avoiding obstacles like power lines, excavations, slopes, etc.
  • Implementing traffic control measures to restrict unauthorized access to the crane's working area.
  • Supervising work involving the assembly and disassembly of the crane with a qualified person.
  • Ensuring that crane operators meet the requirements specified.
  • Addressing any conditions that could negatively affect crane operations, such as poor soil, high winds, heavy rain, fog, extreme cold, or artificial lighting.
  • Allowing crane operation near electric power lines only when specific safety requirements are met.
  • Permitting special lifting operations, like multiple crane lifts or lifting personnel, only when the necessary equipment and procedures are followed.
  • Supervising the work performed by riggers with a qualified person.
  • Making sure that crane maintenance is carried out by personnel who meet the required competency standards.

Responsibilities of the Lift Director:

  • Being present at the job site during lifting operations.
  • Stopping crane operations immediately if they become aware of any unsafe conditions that could affect those operations.
  • Making sure the area needed to support crane operations is fully prepared before the crane starts working.
  • Setting up necessary traffic controls to prevent unauthorized access to the crane's work area.
  • Ensuring that everyone involved in crane operations understands their roles, duties, and any potential risks.
  • Addressing any safety concerns raised by the crane operator or other personnel. If the lift director decides to proceed with crane operations despite concerns, they're accountable. However, they must always follow the manufacturer's safety criteria and the guidelines outlined in this document.
  • Appointing signalpersons and informing the crane operator about it.
  • Ensuring that signalpersons meet the requirements specified.
  • Allowing crane operation near electric power lines only when specific safety requirements are met, as determined by both regulatory guidelines and site-specific considerations.
  • Implementing necessary precautions for special lifting operations, such as multiple crane lifts or lifting personnel.
  • Ensuring compliance with the relevant standards, such as ASME B30.23, when lifting personnel.
  • Providing the crane operator with information about the weight of loads to be lifted and the locations for lifting, moving, and placing these loads.
  • Verifying with the crane operator that the weight of the load doesn't exceed the crane's rated capacity.
  • Making sure that the rigging of the crane's load is done by riggers who meet the competency requirements specified.

The Crane Operator has several important responsibilities to ensure safe crane operations. They're not accountable for hazards or conditions beyond their control that might affect operations negatively. If the operator feels unsure about safety during crane operations, they should stop the crane's functions in a controlled manner. Crane operations should only resume after addressing safety concerns or under the direction of the lift director. Here are the responsibilities of the Crane Operator:

  • Reviewing crane requirements with the Lift Director before starting operations.
  • Identifying any site conditions that could impact crane operation and discussing them with the Lift Director.
  • Understanding and applying the information provided in the crane manufacturer's operating manual.
  • Knowing the crane's capabilities, limitations, and operational characteristics.
  • Using the crane's load rating charts and diagrams to confirm the correct crane configuration for the load, site, and lift conditions.
  • Refusing to operate the crane near energized power lines, except as defined in the safety guidelines.
  • Conducting daily inspections of the crane as specified in the safety regulations.
  • Promptly reporting the need for adjustments or repairs to designated personnel.
  • Following lockout/tag-out procedures as applicable.
  • Refraining from operating the crane when physically or mentally unfit.
  • Ensuring all controls are in the off or neutral position and that all personnel are clear before starting the crane.
  • Avoiding distractions while operating the crane controls.
  • Testing crane function controls before operation and only proceeding if they respond correctly.
  • Operating the crane smoothly and safely under normal conditions.
  • Following manufacturer-approved procedures for crane assembly, disassembly, setup, and reeving.
  • Knowing how to travel the crane safely, including wearing a seatbelt if provided.
  • Observing outriggers during extension, setting, and retraction.
  • Ensuring proper load and rigging weights are provided.
  • Calculating the net capacity for all configurations used and verifying crane capacity with load rating charts.
  • Considering factors that could affect crane capacity and informing the lift director of any necessary adjustments.
  • Understanding and responding to standard and special signals from the lift director or signalperson.
  • Knowing basic load rigging procedures and ensuring proper load rigging.
  • Taking appropriate actions if power fails during operations, including securing the crane and landing suspended loads safely.
  • Before leaving the crane unattended, securing the crane according to safety protocols and manufacturer recommendations, especially in severe weather conditions.

Riggers play a crucial role in load-handling activities and are responsible for:

  • Ensuring they have accurate information about the weight of the load and its approximate center of gravity.
  • Selecting the appropriate rigging equipment, inspecting it thoroughly, and following the operating practices outlined in the relevant ASME B30 Volume.
  • Checking that the rated load of the selected and configured rigging equipment is sufficient for the load being handled, considering factors such as the number of legs, hitch configuration, and angles.
  • Attaching the rigging equipment securely to the hook, shackle, or other load-handling device.
  • Protecting the rigging equipment from damage, such as abrasion or cutting, during load-handling activities.
  • Rigging the load in a way that ensures balance and stability during handling.
  • Knowing and understanding the signals used for the equipment in use.
  • Installing and using tag lines when additional control over the load is necessary.
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