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clude signalperson and lift director. Signalperson is a fairly obvious designation and there are specific requirements within the new regulation regarding this position, including the requirement that all signalpersons, “demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements…through an oral or written test, and through a practical test.” Clearly OSHA felt it necessary to go beyond the requirements for riggers when considering the signalperson.

A word search reveals “lift director” is used five times in the reg. The first three times it is followed by the phrase “where there is one.” For example, under “hand signals,” the regulations states: “When using non-standard hand signals, the signalperson, operator, and lift director (where there is one) must contact each other prior to the operation and agree on the non-standard hand signals that will be used.”

Interestingly, in the final two usages “of lift director,” under the “Multiple-crane/derrick lifts—supplemental requirements” section, there is no follow-up of the words “where there is one,” indicating OSHA is requiring a lift director where there are multiple cranes used on a lift.

The preamble to the regulation is OSHA’s discussion of their intent behind discussing or not discussing certain areas within the regulations. The preamble is long, but extremely valuable to review in conjunction with the regulations. Only by carefully reviewing the preamble to the regulation can one determine the definition of lift director with any certainty. OSHA states that it “has decided to replace the term ‘lift supervisor’ with the term ‘lift director’ in 1926.1419(c) (2), 1926.1421(a), and 1926.1421(c).” This is not a direct definition, but OSHA is clear that lift director means the supervisor of the lift.

Since lift director is used without the words “where there is one,” only in connection with multiple-crane lifts, apparently OSHA is only requiring lift directors in those specific instances.

OSHA’s new crane regulation, while clarifying the qualifications a signalperson must have, still leaves significant discretion to those who own, supervise, and operate cranes every day. These people will necessarily have to remain vigilant, know the regulation, and carefully interpret the requirements of each jobsite.

SETUP & TAKE DOWN

Assembly and disassembly (Section 1926.1404)

Robert Weiss

Robert Weiss, Cranes Inc., was one of 23 industry professionals who sat on the Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (C-DAC). He represented the Allied Building Metal Industries, a trade association of New York City’s steel erection contractors. Weiss is also a certifi ed mobile crane inspector and vice president of Cranes Inc., a crane rental company in New York City.

According to a recent study conducted by the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, entitled, “Crane-Related Fatalities in the Construction Industry,” 21percent of all fatalities involving cranes occur during the assembly/disassembly process. Behind powerline contact, crane assembly/disassembly problems are the single greatest cause of crane accidents in this country. With this in mind, the C-DAC committee sought to address this serous hazard as one of its top priorities.

Section 1926.1404 requires employers to utilize an assembly/disassembly (A/D) director with a thorough knowled