Posted in Materials Handling
When it comes to purchasing crane or personnel baskets, are you familiar OSHA compliance regulations so that you can be sure you buy one that meets OSHA’s stipulations?
Any personnel or man basket must have been designed by a certified engineer because OSHA requires that personnel baskets be able to support their own weight as well as five times the weight of the maximum intended load. Both of these weight loads must be marked clearly on the basket itself.
Personnel baskets should be equipped with a guard rail that encompasses the entire rim of the basket. The rail’s height should be solid to mid-rail in order to prevent personnel falls and also to help prevent tools from falling on anyone below the basket. The basket’s access gates must open toward the inside of the basket and must have safety latches that will keep the gate from opening accidentally. In addition, the basket’s design should provide enough headroom for personnel.
When it comes to the basket’s bridles that attach the personnel basket to the derrick or crane should allow for the basket’s load to be positioned evening among bridle legs so that disproportionate strain on one leg can be avoided. The rigging system – which is comprised of the aforementioned bridles, as well as by links and shackles – that support the personnel basket must be used only to support the basket. All attachment mechanisms and hooks must be able to close and lock in order to ensure that a hook won’t open by accident.
When it comes to load restrictions, they must not exceed the maximum load that’s designated (marked) on the personnel basket. Lines that support the basket must be able to support at least seven times the intended load. In addition, OSHA demands that materials as well as tools are secured and spread uniformly on the basket’s floor in order to avoid tipping. Only those personnel members who are trained in the task to be performed should be allowed in the personnel basket when it is raised.
When it comes to inspecting and testing the basket, OSHA stipulates that the basket should be loaded to its expected weight before the approaching job. It also should be raised to the anticipated height of each location where work will be made. All safety devices as well as controls on the basket as well as the crane/derrick also should be checked.
In addition, the basket should be lifted slightly (a few inches) whenever a worker enters the basket, but before the basked is lifted fully, in order to make sure the rigging lines aren’t kinked and are clear of any impediments.
OSHA stipulates that employers are responsible for getting together with employees and reviewing safety regulations before basket lifting starts as well as notifying/training new workers on safety regulations whenever they join a job location.
For more information on OSHA regulations and man baskets you can give us a call or read this article on the types of baskets you can put on your lift.
