OSHAs new rules for crane-
suspended personnel platforms
BY CHARLES A. ROBERTS
SAFETY DIRECTOR
SMC CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
ANNANDALE, VIRGINIA
ast October, the U.S. Occupa-
L tional Safety and Health Ad-
ministration (OSHA) issued a
new standard to regulate the
use of crane-suspended personnel
work platforms. Historically, these
platforms have not been well con-
trolled and about 63 serious acci-
dents and 15 deaths have resulted
annually. OSHA says that comply-
ing with the new standard,
29CFR1926.550(g), should prevent
future accidents.
The standards preamble states
that:
The use of a crane or derrick to
hoist employees on a personnel
platform is prohibited, except when
the erection, use, and dismantling
by conventional means of reaching
the worksite, such as a personnel
hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift, el-
evating work platform or scaffold,
would be more hazardous, or is not
possible because of structural de-
sign or worksite conditions.
These platforms have been called
man-cages, man-baskets, work
p l a t f o rm s, and other labels that
may not match the OSHA title of
personnel platforms. But the rule
applies to all like devices that are
lifted and suspended by cranes. The
design, construction, testing, and
maintenance of these platforms are
now closely regulated. Load line
safety capacities, rigging, handling,
and other factors receive attention
in OSHAs new rule. The rule also
dictates the operating setup of the
lifting crane and the working envi-
ronment surrounding it.
Standard clears up confusion
Previously, employers and OSHA
disagreed about how to interpret
regulations for personnel platforms.
Employers complained that OSHA
regulations were ambiguous but al-
lowed the use of personnel plat-
f o rm s. OSHA maintained that the
standards were not ambiguous and
that 29CFR1926.550(b)(2), which
banned riding the hook, prohibit-
ed platforms altogether.
Now theres no argumentsus-
pended platforms are legally per-
mitted. Howe ve r, this final rule
29CFR1926.550(g)does not
change the original, and still exist-
ing, restriction of subsection
.550(b)(2): workers may not ride a
bare hook or ride a load of material.
That action is still prohibited.
Using personnel platforms is
sometimes the fastest way to reach
a work site. Howe ve r, the preamble
to the new standard clearly says that
hoisting workers in man-cages, al-
though allowed, should only be
done as a last resort. And only after
the employer has placed safety be-
fore saving time or money.
Load line safety factor
is doubled
Load lines must be able to sup-
port seven times the maximum in-
tended load, twice the existing safe-
ty factor of 3.5. Doubling the safety
factor is very simple. Just use the
load chart of the crane and cut the
lift capacity in half. Using the stan-
dard safety factor of 3.5 times the
intended load for load lines and
downgrading the crane capacity to
half its rated capacity (for the plat-
form and its total intended load),
doubles the safety factor. The safety
factor increases without modifying
the crane or load line.
Nonrotational rope is often used
with cranes. It reduces the tendency
of the load line to twist, which it
sometimes does while lifting de-
spite a swivel in the hook or block
assembly. OSHA now requires that
nonrotational ropes have a safety
factor of 10 as compared with 7 for
other ropes.
Crane must use anti-two
blocking equipment
Reliable anti-two blocking equip-
ment is available now, and such a
device must be installed on all
booms. Se ve ral fatalities have been
caused by the lack of anti-two block

Step 1. Apply first clip one base
width from dead end of wire top.
Place the U-bolt over the dead
end, resting the live end in the
clip saddle. Tighten nuts evenly to
recommended torque.
Step 2. Apply the second clip
nearest the loop as possible.
Again, place the U-bolt over the
dead end. Turn the nuts firmly,
but do not tighten.
Step 3. Apply all other clips
spaced evenly between the first
two. Apply tension and tighten all
nuts to recommended torque.
After each lift, recheck nut
torque.
Do not stagger clips.
Dont place U-bolt of clips on live
end of rope.
The clip will transfer the load to
the dead end of the rope.
equipment.
Operate the crane in a slow, con-
trolled, cautious manner. It must be
set up uniformly level to within 1%,
located on firm footing, with outrig-
gers fully extended. These re s t ri c-
tions are simply good crane safety
practices. When platforms are sta-
tionary, dog or lock the load and
boom hoist drum and swing brakes.
Live booms of the free fall type are
prohibited because they are so dan-
gerous. Ensure that the operator of
variable-angle boom rigs can see a
boom angle indicator from the cab.
Before any lifting, extension booms
must show the boom length or the
load radius must be measured.
Personnel platform design
is specified
The platform may be designed by
a qualified engineer or by a
nonengineer with structural design
e x p e ri e n c e. Welding must be per-
formed by a welder who need not be
certified, but must be familiar with
weld grades, types, and materials
specified.
Dont allow access gates, includ-
ing sliding and folding types, to
swing out during hoisting. Equip
them with a restraining device to
p re vent accidental opening. All sur-
faces must be smooth so they dont
harm workers.
The platform must have a stan-
dard guardrail system (typically 42
inches high) with a toe board. The
sides must be closed off from the toe
board to the mid-rail with 12-inch (or
less) wire mesh and a grab rail encir-
cling the inside. Although not spec-
ified, the grab rail should be 30 to 34
inches high like a stair handrail.
There must be room to stand up-
right in the platform. Overhead pro-
tection is only required if theres a
danger from falling objects. Keep in
mind, though, that theres almost al-
ways something above a platform.
Of course, workers also must wear
hardhats.
Platform must hold its
own weight and 5 times
intended load
The platform must be capable of
supporting its own weight and five
times the intended load. A plate or
permanent marking must show t
he weight of the platform and its
rated load capacity or maximum in-
tended load. Dont exceed this load.
Tools can be hoisted on the plat-
form with workers, but they must be
secured and evenly distributed dur-
ing lifts. The platform shouldnt be
used to lift tools, equipment, or ma-
terials when not hoisting personnel.
Rigging hardware must support
5 times the intended load
The suspension system must be
designed to reduce the risk of the
platform tipping while occupied.
When a wire rope bridle is used,
each leg must be connected to a
master line (D-ring) or shackle with
the load evenly distributed. Dont
use the bridle for any other purpose.
All rigging hardware must be able to
support five times the maximum in-
tended load. If nonrotational rope is
used, increase the safety factor to
10. Hooks must be able to close and
lock, and wire rope eyes must have a
thimble in the end.
SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR
CRANE-SUSPENDED PERSONNEL PLATFORMS
PRE-LIFT MEETING
Boom angle indicator.
This lift is the only way to do the job. Extension boom marked for length.
Rules and checklist handed out
to the following people at this meeting:
Anti-two blocking device installed
on boom.
Operator Outriggers fully extended, cribbed up.
Signal person Crane off the ground. If on the
wheels, then de-rate.
Workers to be lifted
Supervisor Site layout
Site ready for crane.
BEFORE THE LIFT Distances from crane to loads
measured.
Workbasket design
Designed by qualified engineer or
experienced, qualified person. TEST LIFT
Basket can support its own weight Inspected by competent person.
and 5 times its intended load.
Lift to actual site with total load
Access gate is equipped so that (no people).
door wont swing out.
Hoist rope has no kinks.
All surfaces are smooth.
Multiple part lines not wrapped
Standard guardrail inside, with toe around one another.
board.
Primary attachment is centered.
Hand rail/grab rail inside to hold onto.
Load line taut and lines reeved properly.
Sides closed off, floor to guardrail,
with -inch or less wire mesh.
1
2

Load-test lifts ensure safety

Test load all platforms before
each use with the full anticipated lift
weight. Sandbags make good hu-
man-weight substitutes. Tools or
equipmentbut not peoplecan
be hoisted during the load test. The
full weight must be hoisted from
where workers enter the platform
and lifted to each work area. The
lift-position load test must be done
each time the crane is moved, or
when its returned to the same loca-
tion, or when the route is different.
If the operator determines that
changes in the lift route wont affect
the lift, then no further testing is
necessary. Before the actual lift, with
workers aboard, hoist the platform
several inches and inspect it.
After repairing and modifying de-
fects, test load the rig to 125% ca-
pacity for 5 minutes. A competent
person must inspect it, perhaps
during the lift-position load-test
procedure. Also, dont make the lift
if:
Room to stand up in basket.
Overhead protection from falling
objects.
Label on basket of baskets weight.
Rigging
Rigged so it wont tip when lifted.
Legs of wire rope bridle connected
to master link (D-ring).
All hardware can support 5 times
intended weight (except when non
rotational rope is used, then its
10 times).
Hooks capable of opening and closing.
Wire rope eyes have thimbles.
Crane
Load line can support 7 times
intended load.
Load chart examined for maximum
pick. Cut chart numbers in half.
No live booms.
DURING THE PERSONNEL LIFT
Body parts inside cage (except
signal person as required).
Tie off to load block/ball.
Platform must be tied off when in the air.
Workers in direct sight of crane
operator (radios can substitute).
Crane operator in cab at all times.
Other lifts or picks not made while
platform in the air.
Stop the operation in bad weather
or adverse conditions.
No travel with people, except with
portal, locomotive, or tower cranes, and:
No other safer way to do the job.
Restricted to track or runway.
Boom at lift radius.
Boom parallel to travel.
Test lift made.
Tire pressure checked.
Crane de-rated.
 The hoist rope has kinks in it.
Multiple part lines are twisted
around one another.
The primary attachment is not
centered over the load.
The load line is slack and not
properly seated on drums
and sheaves.
These flaws must be corrected. A
competent person must then again
inspect the platform to ensure no
other problems exist with the com-
ponents or structure. Then the lift
can proceed.
Workers and platform should
be tied off
If the platform is not landed, then
it must be securely tied off unless ty-
ing off creates a safety hazard. Use
tag lines unless they, too, create a
hazard.
Workers can be tied off to the low-
er load block, overhaul ball, or to a
s t ru c t u ral member of the platform
with a lanyard and safety belt. Tying
off is not required over water but
wearing a flotation jacket is. OSHA
already requires jackets for con-
struction work over water.
Since lightning, heavy rain, and
high winds adversely affect worker
safety and crane stability, hoisting
must be stopped during such
weather.
Workers, except the signal person,
must keep all body parts inside the
platform while being hoisted, land-
ed, or moved. They must remain in
the direct sight of and in communi-
cation with the crane operator or
signal person. A radio can be used if
a signal person is placed in danger
or might create a danger. The crane
operator must remain in the cab at
all times while the platform is occu-
pied and the engine is running.
Dont make lifts with other load
lines while the platform is suspend-
ed or occupied.
Traveling with a suspended
platform is limited
Hoisting personnel and traveling
with a crane are prohibited except
for portal, tower, or locomotive
c ra n e s, or where the employer is
able to show that theres no safer
way to work.
Travel is only permitted to the
work site if the crane is restricted to
a fixed track or runway. Travel is lim-
ited to the load radius of the boom
used during the lift, and the boom
must be parallel to the direction of
t ra vel. Make a complete trial run,
without workers to test the tra ve l
route. The full-lift test can be made
at this time too, but, again, not with
workers suspended. In other words,
the crane is not to walk all over the
job with workers on the platform.
Check tire pressures on rubber-
tired mounts. A 50% lift capacity re-
duction is made for on the rubber,
PUBLICATION#C890560
Copyright 1989, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved
if traveling. Outriggers may be par-
tially retracted if this is done.
Hold pre-lift meetings
Before making lifts, the operator,
signal person, workers to be lifted,
and the person responsible for the
lift should meet. This group should
meet again at each job or new loca-
tion and when new workers are as-
signed to the work. At the pre-lift
meeting, discuss the following: em-
ployee rules, the workers role in the
safety success of the lift, and the line
of authority in case the lift must be
called off.
Safety comes first
OSHA standard 29CFR1926.550(g)
requires a lot of time and paper-
work. Its not feasible to try to re-
member all the procedures without
checklists of some sort. The check-
list also should be on file to prove
thoroughness if a problem arises.
These tasks are trivial, though,
when you consider that the yearly
number of injuries and deaths will
be reduced by the new regulations.
The present fatality count is statisti-
cally high considering the small
number of workers who are hoisted
in personnel platforms. Also, many
platform/crane accidents are not re-
ported. The real number of acci-
dents may well be higher than those
noted by OSHA.