Cranes, Derricks, Rigging and Signaling

A falling load, overturning crane or moving counterweight can kill people who never touch the controls. Start by identifying the equipment, its configuration, the work being done and everyone who may enter the work area. Crane size or the employer’s business name does not decide which requirements apply.

Construction Subpart CC generally covers powered equipment that lifts, lowers and moves a suspended load horizontally. Its exclusions depend on equipment and use. For example, an excavator is excluded even when lifting with rigging, while a forklift configured with a winch or hook to hoist, lower and horizontally move a suspended load can be covered. Exclusion from CC does not remove other equipment, rigging or training duties.

General industry has separate rules for overhead and gantry cranes in 1910.179, crawler/locomotive/truck cranes in 1910.180, derricks in 1910.181, and slings in 1910.184. Construction overhead/gantry crane coverage requires the distinction in 1926.1438 between permanently installed equipment and other installations. Maritime and specialized utility/railroad work need their own coverage review.

This course teaches how to recognize requirements and arrange the next actions. It does not provide operator certification or licensing, the employer’s practical operator evaluation, qualified-rigger status or signal-person qualification. Small construction equipment with a maximum manufacturer-rated capacity of 2,000 pounds or less has tailored rules in 1926.1441; a light load on a larger crane does not create that exception.