Stay out of the crane's swing
Cranes and rigging 5 min 29 CFR 1926.1424
Why it matters
The swing radius is the circle the back of the crane covers when it turns. People get crushed between the counterweight and a wall, a column, or a stack of steel. Barricade that area, or post a signal person so nobody walks through it.
The talk
The swing radius is the circle the back of the crane covers when the house turns. The counterweight rides that circle. From across the slab it looks slow. Up close, the gap between the counterweight and a wall closes before you can step out. People get crushed there, against a column, a conex, or a stack of steel. The crane rule, 1926.1424, says that area is barricaded, or a signal person keeps people out. The tape is the line. It is not a shortcut when your wrench is on the other side. If the tape is down, the swing stops until somebody puts it back.
Do not duck under the barricade to grab a tool, a bolt bag, or a bottle of water. That is how a person ends up in the gap. If you must go in, the operator stops the swing first. You wait until the operator says the swing is stopped. You do the one thing you came for, and you step back out. You do not start another chore while you are inside the tape. The operator does not swing again until you are clear. If a signal person is posted, that person is the one who lets you in and sends you back out.
Before the first pick, walk the circle the back of the crane will cover. What sits in it: a wall, a pile of steel, a truck, a walkway other trades use? If the path is tight, say so in the huddle. Move the stack if you can. Move the walkway if the crane has to stay. A signal person at the swing is there to stop people. That person is not there to watch the load at the same time. If the signal person steps away, the swing stops until someone is back on that spot. Nobody cuts through because the load is waiting.
Key points
- The swing radius is the circle the back of the crane covers when it turns.
- People get crushed between the counterweight and a wall or a stack of steel.
- Barricade that area, or post a signal person so nobody walks through.
- Do not duck under the barricade to grab a tool.
- If you must enter, the operator stops the swing first.
- Do the one task and get back out before the crane swings again.
- If the barricade is down, stop the swing until it is back.
Do this
- Barricade the swing area before the crane starts to turn.
- Post a signal person when people could walk through the swing.
- Stop the swing before anyone steps inside the barricade.
- Tell the operator when you are clear and back outside the tape.
- Look for walls, piles, and walkways inside the swing before the first pick.
Do not do this
- Do not duck under the barricade to grab a tool or a bottle.
- Do not walk through the swing because you are in a hurry.
- Do not stand between the counterweight and a wall or a stack of steel.
- Do not start another task while you are inside the swing area.
- Do not keep swinging if the barricade is down or the signal person left.
Talk about it
- Where does the back of this crane travel today, and what sits inside that circle?
- Who keeps people out of the swing: the barricade, a signal person, or both?
- What do we do if a tool we need is lying inside the tape?
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