Section 139a.26. Cranes

(a) A crane shall have certification of inspection by a testing firm accredited by the United States Department of Labor. This certification shall be done at each location prior to operation and shall be redone on at least an annual basis. Recertification is also required whenever the crane is used for material lifting—as opposed to bungee jumping—purposes. Certification shall be complete prior to the inspection required by § 139.7 (relating to inspection).

(b) A crane used to elevate mobile platforms for bungee jumping shall be equipped with boom angle indicators, boom extension indicators and drum rotation indicators.

(c) The crane shall be equipped with a swing lock mechanism to limit the rotation of the crane to the operational limits of the bungee jump.

(d) The crane shall be equipped with operational stabilizer bars or cables which stabilize the mobile platform during the jump to ensure a consistent jump space.

(e) A positive acting device shall be used which prevents contact between the load block or overhaul ball and the boom tip (anti-two-blocking device), or a system shall be used which deactivates the hoisting action before damage occurs in the event of a two-blocking situation (two block damage prevent feature).

(f) The total weight of the loaded platform, the related rigging and the dynamic load may not exceed 50% of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane—for example, a rated load of 3,000 pounds becomes 1,500 pounds.

(g) A crane shall be level, on firm footing and the outriggers fully extended and blocked in an acceptable manner.

(h) The load line hoist drum shall have a system or device on the power train, other than the load hoist brake, which regulates the lowering rate of speed of the hoist mechanism—controlled load lowering. Free fall is prohibited.

(i) Live boom equipment may not be used.

(j) Load lines shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least seven times the maximum intended load, except that if rotation resistant rope is used, the lines shall be capable of supporting without failure, at least ten times the maximum intended load.

(k) Load and boom hoist drum brakes, swing brakes and locking devices such as pawls or dogs shall be engaged when the occupied personnel platform is in a stationary working position.

(l) A daily log book for operator inspections and repairs shall be kept on site.

(m) The main boom is to be fully extended at all times.

(n) A crane that uses a jib with cable supported back stays shall have positive stops to prevent the jib from moving more than 5° above the straight line of the jib and boom or detaching from its mount point. The use of cable type belly slings does not constitute compliance with this subsection.

(o) The lifting and supporting shall be made under controlled conditions and under the direction of an appointed signal person.

(p) The crane shall be operated by a person who has been adequately trained in its operation in accordance with the training recommendations of the crane manufacturer. In the absence of these recommendations, the Department may require other documentary or demonstrative evidence, or both, of a person’s proficiency in operating the crane.

(q) Communications shall be maintained between the crane operator, the signal person and the person being lifted.

(r) The crane operator shall remain at the controls when the mobile platform is occupied.

(s) Movement of the mobile platform shall be done in a slow, controlled, continuous manner with no sudden movements of the crane or mobile platform.

(t) A crane may not travel while a person is on a mobile platform attached to that crane.