Overhead & Gantry Cranes - General Requirements

Overhead and gantry cranes must meet the following requirements:

• All cranes constructed and installed on or after August 31, 1971 must adhere to design specifications set by the American National Standard Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes, ANSI B30.2.0-1967.
• Cranes may be modified. However, modifications and supporting structures must be checked using testing requirements in §1910.179 paragraph (k)(2), which you will learn about later in this section.
• Outdoor storage bridges must have automatic rail clamps. A wind-indicating device must be present and must give a visible or audible alarm to the bridge operator at a predetermined wind velocity.
• The crane's rated load must be marked on the crane. For cranes with more than one hoisting unit, each hoist must have its rated load marked on it or its load block. These markings must be visible from the ground or floor.
• There must be a minimum clearance of 3 inches overhead and 2 inches laterally (as required by the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., Specification No. 61 and §1910.6).
• There must be no obstructions to cranes or personnel on passageways or walkways.
• If two cranes have parallel runways, there cannot be a wall or structure in between. There must be adequate clearance between the two bridges.
• As always, only qualified and designated personnel may operate a crane.

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