Environmental Health & Safety

Mobile Crane Use

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1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish the minimum criteria of mobile crane use on UR properties or UR leased properties.

2. PERSONNEL AFFECTED

This policy applies to mobile crane usage on UR owned properties and UR leased properties. It is the responsibility of the vendor/contractor to ensure all University and Local/State and Federal requirements are followed.

The assigned UR Project Manager (Facilities Management or Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) or other group) will be responsible for ensuring all applicable Crane Safety requirements are followed and to ensure applicable Crane Safety documentation is available and provided to EH&S.

3. DEFINITIONS

Critial Lift: a critical lift has one or more of the following conditions:

• Load is over 75% of the crane's rated capacity for current configuration
• Lift requires the use of two (2) or more cranes
• Any lift in which a significant risk of personnel injury or equipment damage is possible

Mobile Crane: a lifting device incorporating a cable suspended lattice boom or hydraulic telescopic boom designed to be moved between operating locations by transport over the road

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

UR Project Management

• Request crane lift plans and documentation required by this policy from the appropriate contractors
• Maintain documentation of all documents associated with each crane lift
• Submit crane lift plans and documentation to UR EH&S & Fire Safety for review and comment

UR EH&S

• Review all crane lift plans submitted by the UR Project Management
• Completes required training
• Provide input as needed back to UR Project Management
• Review and audit compliance with this policy
• Attend necessary meetings and lifts as described in this policy

Contractors:

• Draft a Crane lift plan and provide to UR Project Management
• The contractor shall comply with all federal, FAA, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the inspections, maintenance, and operation of the cranes within their fleet
5. PROCEDURES

The following procedures apply when a mobile crane is utilized

1. The UR Project Manager is responsible for submitting the following documents at least 7 business days prior to commencement of crane operations to EH&S:
1. Completed Crane Lift Checklist
2. Crane Lift Plan (crane weight limits, planned lift weights, engineering calculation's, crane setup area, lift swing radius, diagrams, operation location, rigging lifting capacities)
1. A lift plan is necessary for every lift being completed for the specific duration of the crane on-site (each day)
2. If a crane is used for clean-up or small tool placement purposes, then a plan shall be submitted for the maximum amount and/or maximum height and angle to be lifted for the duration of the project
3. Crane Specifications (Type of crane, max height, max reach, load chart & range diagram showing relevant obstructions, total weight & weight at point of max lift, length/width with outriggers extended)
4. Traffic Control Plan (if applicable)
5. Plan for weather conditions and how it may affect the lift on the day of (Weather forecast of the day of the lift)
6. Copy of the FAA obstruction evaluation from the contractor
1. Determine other airspace impacts such as roof top and ground helipads owned privately which will not be considered in the FFA study
2. Contact entities effected by the crane and establish approach procedures for each helipad
7. Annual crane inspection documentation
8. Previous three months of monthly crane inspections
9. Copy of the crane operators' license/certification
10. Copy of the crane operator's evaluation/training on the specific crane being use for the lift
11. Copy of the signal person(s) evaluation/training on the type of signals used
12. Copy of the rigger(s) evaluation/training
13. Copy of the flagger(s) evaluation/training (if applicable)
14. Signature of the contractors project manager and safety manager
2. Once submittal is received by EH&S, EH&S will review the submittal. Submittal will either be "accepted" or a request for additional information will be requested and sent back to requestor

Prior to Use Requirements

1. The UR Project Manager and Crane Contractor will predetermine the crane operation location
2. Entry and exit path to and from project site will be evaluated and predetermined to ensure most appropriate and safest route. Alternate access routes may be necessary depending on the size and tonnage of the crane used
3. Evaluate fire lanes, fire department access, building exit paths with UR Fire Marshal's Office
4. As necessary (depending on crane weight and area to be driven on/across), the contractor shall determine whether soil/ground conditions are suitable for the crane location. The UR Project Manager will work with the appropriate UR personnel and contractor to identify any subsurface vaults, underground storage tanks, duct-banks, storm water sewers, etc. Ensure soil and mats under crane are of sufficient bearing capacity
5. During crane lift operations, building occupants and other personnel may be required to evacuate areas (generally one floor/story below) under the lift and swing radius. If evacuation of building occupants is not feasible (e.g. lifesaving purposes), it is necessary to document why relocation/evacuation is not feasible and reviewed/approved by UR EH&S and management

General Crane Safety Requirements

1. During crane lift operations, the entire swing radius is required to be barricaded using, at a minimum, safety cones, barrier tape. When any of the swing radius will affect the flow of traffic, a Traffic Control Plan needs to be developed and reviewed with UR Parking and Transportation prior to the lift (as necessary)
2. During crane lift operations, the immediate area will be kept clear of all vehicles and equipment at all times. Only trucks that are supplying equipment to be lifted may be located in the immediate area
3. Pedestrians will not be allowed to walk under the load at any time
4. All personnel working in the lift area will wear hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, and ANSI safety vests
5. Contractors are responsible for ensuring sub-contractors working adjacent to crane activities have been notified of the crane operation and discuss any precautions needed during the crane operation
6. When the crane or load encroaches upon streets, and barricades and warning signs cannot control moving traffic, the crane operation will use appropriately trained flaggers
7. Contractors will be responsible for supplying their own flaggers to assist with any lifts of material
8. All rigging materials shall be designed, rated for the load and inspected prior to the lift
9. The contractor shall ensure the regulations for energized/electrical equipment (29 CFR 1926.1411) are followed
10. Any crane that will be assembled/erected shall be done in accordance with the manufacturers requirements/all local/state/federal requirements
1. Documentation of the post assembly inspection shall be submitted to UR EH&S on the day of the inspection
2. Documentation shall be posted or readily available for review for the duration of the crane on-site
11. A pre-lift review shall take place between all contractors/sub-contractors/crane operator/riggers/signal persons on the site where the lift will occur, reviewing all the elements of the crane plan
1. A copy of the crane plan shall be available on site and readily available for review for the duration of the crane operations
2. The contractor in charge shall maintain documentation of the review and shall be available to be provided to UR for the duration of the project
12. Weather shall be reviewed prior to the crane lift by the contractor in charge and crane operator. A re-assessment shall be made if winds are in excess of 20 mph. When lighting occurs within 10 miles, operations to stop and not resume until 30 minutes after last strike. Winter weather conditions shall be reviewed prior to the lift and the effect on the cranes ability to conduce the lift. If any of these factors contribute to a stop lift, UR Project Management shall be notified immediately. UR Project Management shall notify UR EH&S upon receiving of information
13. Cranes that will be operated within a helicopter approach to the helipad shall implement following communications protocol:
1. Notification to DPS and ED communications with notification of the date(s) of the crane operations
2. Portable Radio issued to the crane operator that has direct contact with DPS
3. Contact information exchange between the crane operator, ED communications and DPS
4. Crane operator shall radio DPS and call ED communications prior to the start of crane operations on each day to confirm operations will be starting. The crane operator will notify both DPS and ED communications at the conclusion of the operation each day
5. If an inbound helicopter is approaching, the following communications shall be made:
1. DPS will radio the crane operator of the incoming helicopter and instruct to pause operation. The crane operator will acknowledge DPS and ensure the crane boom and load is out of the approach path
2. ED communications will notify the crane via phone of the incoming helicopter and instruct to pause operation. The crane operator will acknowledge DPS and ensure the crane boom and load is out of the approach path
3. After the helicopter has departed, the crane operator will make contact with DPS and ED communications to receive authorization to resume work
6. If a helicopter is spotted without any notifications, the crane operator will immediately stop the crane and notification shall be made to DPS via radio, ED communications, Project Management, UR EH&S, and UR Project management immediately. An investigation will be initiated and work will resume after the investigation is completed

Critical Lifts

1. The contractor shall take all the necessary measures to not have a critical lift
2. The UR project manager shall not make the decision to have a critical lift if other options to lift are available (bigger crane, alternative date, etc.)
3. If a critical lift is necessary, the contractor shall explain in writing to the UR Project Manager and UR EH&S reasoning for the critical lift and why alternative options are not feasible. UR EH&S reserves the right, to provide feedback to the contractor and not approve a critical lift
4. Procedure for critical lifts:
1. The building where the lift occurs shall be fully evacuated. If any other buildings are within the swing radius of the lift, they shall be evacuated as well. UR Project Management shall coordinate with the appropriate management the evacuation of the building. If the building must remain occupied (for lifesaving purposes) then EH&S and management shall make this determination
2. No critical lift shall occur if winds exceed 20 mph. The weather shall be reviewed at the pre-critical lift planning meeting and prior to the critical lift
3. Pre-Critical Lift Planning Meeting:
1. General Contractor, UR EH&S, UR Project Manager, crane company representatives (when applicable), and subcontractors shall attend the pre-lift planning meeting to plan the lift. This meeting is required for all critical lift crane activities on projects. UR Project Manager will take attendance and document meeting minutes of the meeting
2. The following information shall be reviewed at the meeting:
1. Crane Lift Plan (crane weight limits, planned lift weights, engineering calculations, crane setup area, lift swing radius, diagrams, operation location, rigging lifting capacities)
2. Crane's most recent annual certification will be required the date of the crane's arrival on-site
3. Maintenance and inspection records (most recent month/daily inspection)
4. Crane's complete load chart for boom length, counterweight, and configuration of the planned lift
5. Certificate of insurance for the crane
6. Crane operator's experience and special certification (i.e. CCO designation, long boom license, etc.)
7. Communications plan (signalperson, radios)
8. Designate personnel to lifting roles (operator, signalperson, rigger, safety, supervisor, accountability of personnel) and ensure each designated person has the appropriate training for their roles
9. Accountability of personnel plan. The lead contractor shall provide a plan for accounting for personnel names and locations shall be documented in case an emergency occurs
10. On-site pre-lift review (time, location, personnel involved)
3. Prior to the critical lift at the lifting location, all contractors and affected personnel shall have a pre-lift review. The meeting shall be led by the contractor in charge of the project. The full critical lift plan shall be reviewed in full detail with all affected personnel. Documentation of the pre-lift meeting shall be submitted to the UR Project Management
6. REFERENCES

OSHA 1926 Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction

7. APPENDICES/FORMS
• Crane Lift Checklist
8. REVISION HISTORY

Date	Revision No.	Description
8/18/2025	New	Initial Issue

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QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail Questions.

This page last updated 9/30/2025. Disclaimer.