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ept remind everybody the power lines are there. The yellow zone represents a distance closer than the length of the boom plus 20 feet. In this instance, there is a potential to contact the power line inadvertently, so you must implement several layers of protection. For example, if there are 10 methods listed, you may perform five, as well as any more you may come up with, such as additional insulating on the lines. The red zone is prohibited, where some part of the crane or load is within that 20-foot distance.

However, there are exceptions. The distance is 20 feet for voltages less than 350,000 volts; and increases to 50 feet for 350,000 volts and higher. Up to 50,000 volts still requires 10 feet of clearance; from 50,000 to 200,000, the clearance increases to 15 feet. All of that stands, providing you know the voltage. If you don’t know the voltage, then you stay back at least 20 feet, period.

Some protection methods can represent an investment for the employer, such as hiring a spotter whose only job is to observe the distance of the crane and its load to the power source warning the operator if the crane or load is getting too close, or investing in an insulated link which can start at about $4,000. However, 90 percent of these layers of protection can be done for free or next to free. It just takes brainstorming to come up with different ways to establish more layers. The expense comes in when you have a contact. Even without an injury, you damage your equipment.

Fall protection (Section 1926.1423)

Now we’re allowed to have walkways on the booms. This was prohibited in the past because walkways had to have a toe plate, a mid-rail, and a top rail of 32 inches. That wouldn’t work on a crane boom, so riggers had to balance on pipes, or get up there with ladders. That made it more unsafe than having a walkway without handles. American manufacturers couldn’t install walkways on booms, but cranes from Europe had them. Now it’s universal to use walkways on the boom as long as you provide attachment points for employees to tie off so they can’t fall down.

New cranes will be required to have the walkways when the fall hazard is 6 feet or more. It’s another optional feature that won’t cost anything to the crane owner, and ironworkers and riggers will be so relieved to have some place to work. The regulation basically gives the industry permission to do this if they see fit.

What’s not optional: Walking and stepping surfaces must have slip-resistant features. A lot of people slip and fall off the crane just getting up into the cab. Hand and grab rails must meet OSHA requirements and be substantial. All cranes require safe egress to be provided from the ground to the cab and machinery platforms. That includes tower cranes. The old rule said you had to have guards in place of any moving parts, and hand rails for anything 6 feet off the ground. Now it’s spelled out in black and white.

Another major change: “For assembly/disassembly work, the employer must provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level, except when the employee is at or near draw-works (when the equipment is running), in the cab, or on the deck.” Previously the rule was 6 feet.

The major point I think will be helpful to the industry