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Here's the latest from my father:
All,
Some of you will recall that I flew to Fl last May to speak with Peter Gerstenberger at the ASME/ANSI B30.5 Committee. It was a room with 15 people who represented large construction companies, unions and one crane manufacturer. It was difficult to get our point across. I doubt that we did. In brief their opinion: There is one crane standard, no need for another one, and all should comply with it. "Maybe you should use insulated aerial lifts like Asplundh" " You can't use cranes that way." These were typical comments.
I thought I would further enlighten you by attaching the comments I just received from Brad Closson, EVP North American Crane Bureau. He is Chair of the ASME/ANSI B30.23 committee. He and Graham Brent from National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators are on the program with me at TCIA Spring Expo in Sacramento March 26th. Wish me luck!!! You will see by his comments he has no idea about our industry. His are the ones in capitals and bold. The regular are the original wordings and the red are proposed changes we are considering.
Steve
P.S. Update: Thanks to Mike D'Errico we have a meeting with Assemblyman Impreveduto on March 17th. Hopefully we can make him "see the light". I will keep you all informed of any new developments.
Here's the letter:
6.7 Log Loaders, Cranes and Related Hoists
6.7.1 Log loaders, cranes and related hoisting equipment shall be inspected in accordance with applicable standards ( YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DEFINE STANDARDS AS THERE ARE “CONCENSUS” STANDARDS AND “LEGAL” STANDARDS SUCH AS THE FEDERAL AND STATE CODES) as well as the manufacturers instructions and guidelines. Chokers (A “CHOKER” IS A SLING USED IN A “CHOKE” CONFIGURATION), slings and other means (“MEANS” ARE USUALLY METHODS AND “DEVICES” ARE USUALLY ABLE TO BE INSPECTED) of lifting/lowering or rigging equipment shall be inspected before each use. Inspection procedure checklist should be available to the crew. (I’M NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS OR FOR WHAT EQUIPMENT IT IS TO ADDRESS)
6.7.2 Operators of hoisting equipment shall be trained and shall maintain a minimum approach distance of 10 feet (3.05 meters) from energized conductors in accordance with Tables 1 and 2. A spotter shall be employed when working in proximity to electrical conductors. Personnel assigned to the tree removal working in proximity shall be trained and follow guidelines for Electrical Hazards, Section 4 of ANSI Z133.1
6.7.3 Cranes with telescoping booms shall be equipped with a device (THIS WILL EXCLUDE THOSE CRANES THAT HAVE THEIR BOOM EXTENSION LENGTH PAINTED ON THE BOOM’S SIDE FROM BEING USED AS THE PAINT IS NOT A DEVICE) to indicate clearly to the operator, at all times, the booms extended length, (AND A ) boom angle indicators and an anti-two block device.
6.7.4 Operators of hoisting equipment shall remain at the controls while the load is lifted, suspended, or during lowering of the load.
6.7.5 Riding the load line of a crane while it is under load tension shall be prohibited, except for circumstances outlined in 6.7.7.
6.7.6 A qualified arborist may be hoisted into position utilizing the crane, provided that the arborist is tied in with an arborist climbing line and arborist saddle and secured to a designated anchor point on the boom line or crane. The following procedures shall be followed when an arborist is to be lifted by the crane. (AS THE FEDERAL AND STATE CODES ARE CURRENTLY WRITTEN THIS OPERATION AS DEFINED IS PROHIBITED. 29 CFR 1926.550 (G) RELATES)
6.7.6.1 The person specifically responsible for the work shall authorize the use of a crane when he/she has determined that it is the safest, most practical way to perform the work or gain access to the tree. Such authorization should be made in writing and be retained at the job site.
6.7.6.2 The crane operator shall be familiar with the potential hazards and operational techniques encountered in tree work.
6.7.6.3 The arborist climbing line shall be secured to the crane in such a way that it does not interfere with the function of any damage prevention or warning device on the crane. All rough edges exposed to contact by employees shall be surfaced or smoothed in order to prevent injury, (BASED UPON WHERE ON THE CRANE WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE )and so that no part of the crane compromises the climbing line or any other component of the climbing system.
6.7.6.4 The crane operator and the person responsible for the work to be performed shall meet prior to the work to review the procedures to be followed. If the work involves a signal person and /or arborist being lifted, they shall participate in the review as well. A job briefing shall be done prior to the commencement of any work (3.14)
6.7.6.5 Communication between the crane operator and the arborist being lifted shall be maintained either directly or through the appointed signal person. This communication shall be either visual, using the accepted hand signals or audible using voice or radio. Radio communication should be used to avoid blind picks (I DON’T BELIEVE THAT A RADIO WILL CHANGE THE VISIBILITY OF A BLIND PICK BUT THEY WILL IMPROVE COMMUNICATION). The crewmembers shall know and follow hand signals for standard crane operations (Annex)
6.7.6.6 The crane operator shall test the adequacy of footing prior (THIS WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR A CRANE OPERATOR TO DO. A CRANE’S FORCE ON THE GROUND WILL BE MAXIMIZED DURING THE LIFT NOT DURING SETUP. ADDITIONALLY THE CRANE OPERATOR IS NOT A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER AND CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABILITY OF A SOIL TO HANDLE LOADS) to any lifting. The crane shall be uniformly level and located on firm footing. Blocking shall be used if necessary so that the support system does not exceed its load-bearing capabilities. Cranes equipped with outriggers shall have them all fully extended, as applicable, prior to lifting and lowering operations and /or prior to lifting the qualified arborist.
6.7.6.7 The qualified crane operator shall remain at the controls when the qualified arborist is attached to the crane and during lifting and lowering operations.
6.7.6.8 The lifting and supporting shall be made under controlled conditions and under the direction of the qualified arborist or an appointed signal person.
6.7.6.9 The crane boom and load line shall be moved in a slow, controlled, cautious manner with no sudden movements when the arborist is attached. The lifting or lowering speed shall not exceed 100 ft./min. (0.5 meters/sec). The crane shall be operated so that lowering is power controlled.
6.7.6.10 The load line hoist drum shall have a system or other device on the power train, other than the load hoist brake, which regulates the lowering rate of speed of the hoist mechanism.
6.7.6.11 The crane carrier shall not travel at any time while the arborist is attached. An accurate determination of the load radius (THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT THE ARBORIST WILL BE LOWERED TO THE GROUND AFTER EACH POSITIONING WHILE THE CRANE OPERATOR RE-DETERMINES AN “ACCURATE” RADIUS BEFORE THE NEXT POSITION.)to be used during lifting shall be made prior to hoisting the qualified arborist.
6.7.6.12 Tree sections shall be rigged to minimize load shifting. Controlled load lowering shall be employed. Shock loading shall be avoided, and free fall is prohibited.
6.7.6.13 A Manufacturers load chart, capacity chart and a green log weight chart shall be available to the crew (HAVING THE INFORMATION IS GREAT BUT I SEE NOWHERE THAT THE CREW SKILLS INCLUDE “LOAD CHART CALCULATIONS” WHICH ARE THE MOST COMMON FAILURE TOPIC EVEN FOR LONG TERM CRANE OPERATORS). A Best Management Practice Guide should also be available. (I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS DOCUMENT)
6.7.7 The qualified arborist shall be detached from the crane any time it comes under load tension. Exception: The qualified crane operator and the qualified arborist shall allow the qualified arborist to remain attached to the crane when it is under load when it has been determined that all reasonably possible alternative (GOOD LUCK ON THIS ONE SOUNDS LIKE THE BASIS FOR LONG COSTLY LAWSUITS) methods are inaccessible and attachment to the subject tree would create a greater safety risk due to its hazardous condition. Possible alternative methods include, but are not limited to:
1) Securing to the tree and detaching from the crane before it comes under load
2) Use of a second crane
3) Use of an aerial lift device
4) Use of an adjacent tree
6.7.7.1 When the qualified arborist is attached to the crane while it is under load, the total weight shall not exceed 50 per cent of the load capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane. (THIS IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL AND STATE CODES)
6.7.7.2 Tree removal 9.5,9.5.1, 9.5.4, 9.5.5, 9.5.6, and 9.5.11: These sections may apply to crane use during tree removals.
Glossary- Anti-two block device: Consists of a hollow weight suspended from the boom nose or jib by a chain. The weight hangs with hoist cable running through its center. An electro-mechanical switch mounted on the boom nose or jib is connected to the chain via a retractable steel cable. When contact is made with the suspended weight by the hook block or any other lifting device nearing the nose or jib, the anti-two block switch circuit is deactivated and hoist up or telescope out are prevented from activating. (YOU COULD LOOK AT THE ASME B30 DEFINITION FOR THIS DEVICE AS THAT WILL BE WHAT THE CRANE WILL COME WITH)
All,
Some of you will recall that I flew to Fl last May to speak with Peter Gerstenberger at the ASME/ANSI B30.5 Committee. It was a room with 15 people who represented large construction companies, unions and one crane manufacturer. It was difficult to get our point across. I doubt that we did. In brief their opinion: There is one crane standard, no need for another one, and all should comply with it. "Maybe you should use insulated aerial lifts like Asplundh" " You can't use cranes that way." These were typical comments.
I thought I would further enlighten you by attaching the comments I just received from Brad Closson, EVP North American Crane Bureau. He is Chair of the ASME/ANSI B30.23 committee. He and Graham Brent from National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators are on the program with me at TCIA Spring Expo in Sacramento March 26th. Wish me luck!!! You will see by his comments he has no idea about our industry. His are the ones in capitals and bold. The regular are the original wordings and the red are proposed changes we are considering.
Steve
P.S. Update: Thanks to Mike D'Errico we have a meeting with Assemblyman Impreveduto on March 17th. Hopefully we can make him "see the light". I will keep you all informed of any new developments.
Here's the letter:
6.7 Log Loaders, Cranes and Related Hoists
6.7.1 Log loaders, cranes and related hoisting equipment shall be inspected in accordance with applicable standards ( YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DEFINE STANDARDS AS THERE ARE “CONCENSUS” STANDARDS AND “LEGAL” STANDARDS SUCH AS THE FEDERAL AND STATE CODES) as well as the manufacturers instructions and guidelines. Chokers (A “CHOKER” IS A SLING USED IN A “CHOKE” CONFIGURATION), slings and other means (“MEANS” ARE USUALLY METHODS AND “DEVICES” ARE USUALLY ABLE TO BE INSPECTED) of lifting/lowering or rigging equipment shall be inspected before each use. Inspection procedure checklist should be available to the crew. (I’M NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS OR FOR WHAT EQUIPMENT IT IS TO ADDRESS)
6.7.2 Operators of hoisting equipment shall be trained and shall maintain a minimum approach distance of 10 feet (3.05 meters) from energized conductors in accordance with Tables 1 and 2. A spotter shall be employed when working in proximity to electrical conductors. Personnel assigned to the tree removal working in proximity shall be trained and follow guidelines for Electrical Hazards, Section 4 of ANSI Z133.1
6.7.3 Cranes with telescoping booms shall be equipped with a device (THIS WILL EXCLUDE THOSE CRANES THAT HAVE THEIR BOOM EXTENSION LENGTH PAINTED ON THE BOOM’S SIDE FROM BEING USED AS THE PAINT IS NOT A DEVICE) to indicate clearly to the operator, at all times, the booms extended length, (AND A ) boom angle indicators and an anti-two block device.
6.7.4 Operators of hoisting equipment shall remain at the controls while the load is lifted, suspended, or during lowering of the load.
6.7.5 Riding the load line of a crane while it is under load tension shall be prohibited, except for circumstances outlined in 6.7.7.
6.7.6 A qualified arborist may be hoisted into position utilizing the crane, provided that the arborist is tied in with an arborist climbing line and arborist saddle and secured to a designated anchor point on the boom line or crane. The following procedures shall be followed when an arborist is to be lifted by the crane. (AS THE FEDERAL AND STATE CODES ARE CURRENTLY WRITTEN THIS OPERATION AS DEFINED IS PROHIBITED. 29 CFR 1926.550 (G) RELATES)
6.7.6.1 The person specifically responsible for the work shall authorize the use of a crane when he/she has determined that it is the safest, most practical way to perform the work or gain access to the tree. Such authorization should be made in writing and be retained at the job site.
6.7.6.2 The crane operator shall be familiar with the potential hazards and operational techniques encountered in tree work.
6.7.6.3 The arborist climbing line shall be secured to the crane in such a way that it does not interfere with the function of any damage prevention or warning device on the crane. All rough edges exposed to contact by employees shall be surfaced or smoothed in order to prevent injury, (BASED UPON WHERE ON THE CRANE WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE )and so that no part of the crane compromises the climbing line or any other component of the climbing system.
6.7.6.4 The crane operator and the person responsible for the work to be performed shall meet prior to the work to review the procedures to be followed. If the work involves a signal person and /or arborist being lifted, they shall participate in the review as well. A job briefing shall be done prior to the commencement of any work (3.14)
6.7.6.5 Communication between the crane operator and the arborist being lifted shall be maintained either directly or through the appointed signal person. This communication shall be either visual, using the accepted hand signals or audible using voice or radio. Radio communication should be used to avoid blind picks (I DON’T BELIEVE THAT A RADIO WILL CHANGE THE VISIBILITY OF A BLIND PICK BUT THEY WILL IMPROVE COMMUNICATION). The crewmembers shall know and follow hand signals for standard crane operations (Annex)
6.7.6.6 The crane operator shall test the adequacy of footing prior (THIS WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR A CRANE OPERATOR TO DO. A CRANE’S FORCE ON THE GROUND WILL BE MAXIMIZED DURING THE LIFT NOT DURING SETUP. ADDITIONALLY THE CRANE OPERATOR IS NOT A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER AND CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABILITY OF A SOIL TO HANDLE LOADS) to any lifting. The crane shall be uniformly level and located on firm footing. Blocking shall be used if necessary so that the support system does not exceed its load-bearing capabilities. Cranes equipped with outriggers shall have them all fully extended, as applicable, prior to lifting and lowering operations and /or prior to lifting the qualified arborist.
6.7.6.7 The qualified crane operator shall remain at the controls when the qualified arborist is attached to the crane and during lifting and lowering operations.
6.7.6.8 The lifting and supporting shall be made under controlled conditions and under the direction of the qualified arborist or an appointed signal person.
6.7.6.9 The crane boom and load line shall be moved in a slow, controlled, cautious manner with no sudden movements when the arborist is attached. The lifting or lowering speed shall not exceed 100 ft./min. (0.5 meters/sec). The crane shall be operated so that lowering is power controlled.
6.7.6.10 The load line hoist drum shall have a system or other device on the power train, other than the load hoist brake, which regulates the lowering rate of speed of the hoist mechanism.
6.7.6.11 The crane carrier shall not travel at any time while the arborist is attached. An accurate determination of the load radius (THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT THE ARBORIST WILL BE LOWERED TO THE GROUND AFTER EACH POSITIONING WHILE THE CRANE OPERATOR RE-DETERMINES AN “ACCURATE” RADIUS BEFORE THE NEXT POSITION.)to be used during lifting shall be made prior to hoisting the qualified arborist.
6.7.6.12 Tree sections shall be rigged to minimize load shifting. Controlled load lowering shall be employed. Shock loading shall be avoided, and free fall is prohibited.
6.7.6.13 A Manufacturers load chart, capacity chart and a green log weight chart shall be available to the crew (HAVING THE INFORMATION IS GREAT BUT I SEE NOWHERE THAT THE CREW SKILLS INCLUDE “LOAD CHART CALCULATIONS” WHICH ARE THE MOST COMMON FAILURE TOPIC EVEN FOR LONG TERM CRANE OPERATORS). A Best Management Practice Guide should also be available. (I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS DOCUMENT)
6.7.7 The qualified arborist shall be detached from the crane any time it comes under load tension. Exception: The qualified crane operator and the qualified arborist shall allow the qualified arborist to remain attached to the crane when it is under load when it has been determined that all reasonably possible alternative (GOOD LUCK ON THIS ONE SOUNDS LIKE THE BASIS FOR LONG COSTLY LAWSUITS) methods are inaccessible and attachment to the subject tree would create a greater safety risk due to its hazardous condition. Possible alternative methods include, but are not limited to:
1) Securing to the tree and detaching from the crane before it comes under load
2) Use of a second crane
3) Use of an aerial lift device
4) Use of an adjacent tree
6.7.7.1 When the qualified arborist is attached to the crane while it is under load, the total weight shall not exceed 50 per cent of the load capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane. (THIS IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL AND STATE CODES)
6.7.7.2 Tree removal 9.5,9.5.1, 9.5.4, 9.5.5, 9.5.6, and 9.5.11: These sections may apply to crane use during tree removals.
Glossary- Anti-two block device: Consists of a hollow weight suspended from the boom nose or jib by a chain. The weight hangs with hoist cable running through its center. An electro-mechanical switch mounted on the boom nose or jib is connected to the chain via a retractable steel cable. When contact is made with the suspended weight by the hook block or any other lifting device nearing the nose or jib, the anti-two block switch circuit is deactivated and hoist up or telescope out are prevented from activating. (YOU COULD LOOK AT THE ASME B30 DEFINITION FOR THIS DEVICE AS THAT WILL BE WHAT THE CRANE WILL COME WITH)
