Crane and Hoisting Systems

Program Overview

MIT is required to adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) general industry standard for Overhead and Gantry Cranes (29 CFR 1910.179) as well as Massachusetts (MA) Regulations 520 CMR 6.00 on Hoisting Machinery. Within these, other guidance documents from The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) are also incorporated by reference.

MIT EHS has developed a comprehensive Crane and Hoist Program document (MIT certificate login required; Forms & SOPs >> Keyword Search: crane) that covers the program requirements as outlined in the OSHA Standard and more thoroughly detailed within the MA Regulations.

Contact safety@mit.edu if you have questions about any of the Crane & Hoisting requirements.

In summary, the following three program components must be satisfied:

An Inventory

It is a requirement that MIT maintain an accurate inventory of all active crane and hoisting systems. As such, it is essential that each Department, Lab, or Center (DLC) keeps an up-to-date inventory of all crane and hoisting systems used on MIT owned or leased property.

In order to maintain accuracy, whenever hoists or related equipment are purchased or installed in both existing and renovated spaces, this must be reflected in the inventory to ensure addition to the annual inspection program.

Additionally, the inventory shall also be updated whenever a crane and hoisting system is relocated, decommissioned or locked out so that accurate historical data can still be retained.

Training & Licensure

Anyone who operates an electric crane or hoist, that has the capacity to lift greater than 500 pounds over ten feet, shall select ‘operating cranes or hoists’ on their Learning Center – My Profile (My EHS Activities) and is required to have a Hoisting License with them at all times during operation. There are two methods to meet this licensure requirement.

Obtain the Massachusetts 3A Hoisting Engineer License

Obtaining a license, by applying directly through the state, will allow the operator, after equipment specific hands-on training, to operate any hoist listed within the Class throughout the state. Visit Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Hoisting, for complete information on how to obtain a MA 3A hoisting license.

Once you have your State license, scan a copy of both sides, email to environment@mit.edu and request credit for course EHS00706: Massachusetts MA 3A Hoisting License which will satisfy your training need requirement.

The State hoisting license requires passing the DOT Operator’s Physical and there is a renewal process every 2 years to maintain the license.

Obtain the MIT Specific Hoisting License

MIT has developed an In-Service Training Program that has been approved by the state for MIT’s – Cambridge, MA Campus only. The license obtained through this program will only allow holders to operate specific MIT owned hoists used on MIT owned or leased property in Cambridge. MA.

To obtain the MIT Specific Hoisting License, register for course EHS00707: MIT 3A Hoist/Crane SafetyTrng & License (MIT certificate login required), within the ATLAS Learning Center Course Catalog. This course will satisfy your training need requirement.

There is no physical requirement or a renewal process for this license but additional training may be deemed necessary if program components are updated in the future, if they are not being followed, or if unsafe operating conditions are witnessed.

If your manager has previously decided that a Massachusetts 3A hoisting license is required to operate specific cranes and hoists within your DLC’s, then it is expected that you will maintain that license and not change to the MIT licensing program. MIT campus is required to have an adequate number of State licensed operators to maintain our State approved program.

Daily Use and Periodic (Annual) Inspections

The expectation is that daily use and annual inspections are completed for all Crane and Hoist systems.

Daily Use – Conducted by the Licensed Operator

The following checklist should be completed prior to use each day of operation. The checklist should be stored near the hoist operating controls and readily available if requested.

Periodic (Annual) – Conducted by a Competent 3rd Party Inspector

OSHA and MA regulations require that all cranes and hoists are inspected annually to look for defects, general wear and compliance issues. MIT requires that for all electric hoists and cranes, these inspections be conducted by a 3rd party vendor experienced in the installation, maintenance and repair of cranes and hoists.

All inspection points that are deemed unsafe shall be corrected before continued use of the Crane and Hoist System in question.

These annual inspection reports as well as all maintenance visit documentation, must be retained and readily available for future inspections or audits.

Regulatory Considerations

The following Agencies and documents are utilized in the development of a comprehensive crane and hoist safety program.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): 29 CFR 1910.179 – Overhead and Gantry Cranes
Massachusetts Regulations: 520 CMR 6.00 – Hoisting Machinery
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): B30 Safety Standard – Cranes & related Equipment

Crane and Hoist Safety Guidance

General Safe Work Practices

All hoisting machinery shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Rated load capacities shall be conspicuously posted on all equipment and shall be visible to operators while they are at their control stations.
Do not exceed the rated load capacity of the crane, or rigging. (Keep in mind that the hoist may be higher rated that the rail/beam or vice versa).
Persons operating the crane, hoist or rigging shall inspect all machinery and equipment prior to each use to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise create a hazard.
No modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment shall be made without the manufacturer’s written approval. If such modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals, shall be changed accordingly. In no case shall the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced.
Disconnect power to a hoist or crane that is unsafe or in need of repair. Arrange to have the equipment locked out and tagged out.
Never operate a hoist or crane that in your opinion is UNSAFE TO OPERATE.

Safely Engaging the Load

The rigging shall be properly seated and secured in the base of the hook.
The load shall not be applied to the tip of the hook or the hook latch.
Before moving the load, the operator shall be sure chains and wire rope are not kinked or twisted and that multiple part chains or ropes are not twisted about each other.
The rope or chain must be properly seated on the drum, sheaves, or sprockets before the lift takes place.
Remove slack from the sling, chain, or cable before lifting a load.
The hoist must be centered over the load.
The operator shall not pick up a load in excess of the rated load of the hoist or crane.
Specific attention should be given to balancing of the load to prevent slipping.

Safely Moving the Load

The operator shall not engage in any activity that will divert his/her attention from the task.
The operator shall respond to signals from a designated person only. However, the operator shall obey an emergency stop signal at all times, no matter who gives it.
The operator shall make sure the load and hoist will clear all obstacles before moving or rotating the load.
A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.
The operator shall inch powered hoists and cranes slowly in engagement with a load, but should avoid quick stops and sudden reversals of direction.
A load shall not be lifted more than a few inches until it is well balanced in the sling or lifting device.
When lifting loads at or near capacity, brake action shall be tested by lifting the load a few inches off the surface to verify that the brakes are holding.
On rope hoists, the load shall not be lowered below the point where less than two wraps of rope remain on each anchorage of the hoist drum, unless a lower limit device is provided. In this case no less than one wrap may remain on each anchorage of the hoist drum.
Loads shall not be suspended over personnel.
All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads.
Under no circumstances may anyone ride the hook or load.
Directional movement should be made smoothly and deliberately to avoid swing.
Never pull a hoist by the controller cable.
Contact between trolleys (on two trolley cranes) or between trolleys and stops should be avoided.
The operator shall not use the upper (or lower, if provided) limit device(s) as a normal means of stopping the hoist. These are emergency devices only.

Safely Placing the Load

Documents

The following documents are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to crane and hoist safety. MIT certificate login is required to view the SOPs and can also be located under Forms/SOPs (keyword search: hoist; crane).

Crane and Hoist Program