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*1972* OVER 30 YEARS IN CRANE RENTALS *2007* |
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K1B 3L7 |
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Back Office and Shop |
(613) 745-8230 |
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1-800-668-3698 |
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(613) 745-9614 |
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New and Use Hiab for all your lifting needs
Service and Technical Consultant
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Mobile Crane Safety Code is Finally Here! |
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this This is just part of the new code
and
how you are changed by it
At long last, the new Canadian standard governing mobile crane operation, design, construction, and maintenance has finally been published. CSA Standard Z150-98 (Safety Code for Mobile Cranes) has been restructured and is more comprehensive than the previous edition of the standard, CSA Z150-74. Although, the standard does not yet have the force of law behind it, impending changes in legislation will change that as soon as this coming spring. Further, the standard represents the future of how cranes will be run in Canada. As this is the case, it is worthwhile to take the time to understand the changes that will affect your industry. To help ease the transition to the new standard, we have examined the differences in the two editions and compiled some of the most important ones here. The list of changes is long, so not everything will be covered. If you would like to examine all the changes, we suggest that you pick up a copy of the standard from CSA. Design and Construction Cranes are evolving into ever more complicated machines and the current standard has reflected the changes. They will also be more complex and, in general, more information will be supplied to the operator. Load charts are now required to indicate maximum wind speeds for operation and shutdown and a derating schedule for operation in various winds. They will also contain adjustments for low temperature service and provide data on ground bearing pressure for all crane configurations. Rated capacity indicators/limiters will also be mandatory on all new cranes. Owners of older cranes are recommended to install Load Indicating Devices and a retrofit schedule is suggested. This is, however, just a recommendation. Whatever the device that the crane is equipped with, it will require periodic calibration in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain accuracy. Cranes are now also required to be outfitted with drum rotation indicators to allow the operator to sense when the drums are turning. Further, a boom length indicator will now be mandatory on all telescopic cranes unless the load rating is independent of boom length. The previous edition only required anti-two block devices on telescopic cranes with a boom length over 60 feet. Now, all mobile cranes will require them whether the booms are telescopic or lattice. Remote control cranes and sensitive electrical equipment are to be protected from radio interference. Further, remote controls are to be equipped with an emergency stop. Inspection & Maintenance Inspection procedures are now classified into four groups instead of two as in the previous version. Those classifications are Daily Inspections, Periodic Inspections (every 350 hours or three months), Annual Inspections, and Teardown Inspections of Telescoping Booms. The list of inspection items given for each classification is much more comprehensive than in the standard of old. For example, daily inspections are to include all rope reeving, control mechanisms, safety devices, all air, hydraulic, lubricating, and cooling systems, electrical apparatus, hydraulic hoses, hooks, swivels, clutches, brakes, outriggers, outrigger boxes, and tires. The lists of items for the periodic and annual inspections are similarily exhaustive and will not be discussed here. The teardown inspection of telescoping booms is to be performed any time the boom is disassembled but must be done a minimum of every 10 years or 10,000 hours of service, whichever comes first. The inspection requires disassembly of the boom and non-destructive inspection of interior welds within six feet of each end of each boom section. Annual inspections are now to be supervised by a professional engineer competent in crane inspection. The inspection is to encompass all items in the daily and periodic inspections as well as all accessible structural elements. Structural inspections are to be carried out visually and by non-destructive inspection for critical or suspect areas. The visual inspector is to be certified under CSA standard W178.2 and the non-destructive inspector is to be certified under CGSB standards. Hook and block assemblies will now require a teardown inspection and lubrication at least every five years. During this teardown, the hook and hook nut are to be inspected for corrosion and wear of the threads. The hook nut is to be marked with the date of the last teardown inspection. Structural repairs to a crane shall now be made in accordance with specifications set out by the manufacturer or by a professional engineer experienced in weld repair. If the repair is to a load sustaining member, it can only be performed by a welder that is certified under CSA W47.1, and only using procedures that are in accordance with CSA standards W59 and W47.1. Equivalent welding standards may also be used. Load testing is now required for cranes in which load bearing parts are repaired, replaced or altered. The test load is to be 100% of the rated load and the test is to be conducted by a professional engineer competent in such testing. The inspection of wire ropes has been extended to include frequent, periodic, and annual inspection requirements. The standard provides more detailed rejection criteria and addresses concerns with rotation resistant ropes, pendant ropes, non-circular outer wires, and points of rapid deterioration. Operation Strangely, qualification requirements for the crane operators and for other related workers have been moved to an appendix in the new standard. The appendix is not mandatory but may be adopted by anyone wishing to do so. Operator qualifications in this appendix are limited to the requirement that they hold a valid certificate. Management is to ensure that other workers are qualified to perform their assigned duties. Crane operators working in close proximity to other cranes will now be required to communicate all movements to other operators before moving in the overlapping area. Where a crane must operate over areas where the public has access, overhead protection that has been designed by a professional engineer must now be provided. The design must specify the maximum height that the load can be raised over the protective structure. Further requirements for tandem lifts have also been set out. Now, the weight, centre of gravity and load distribution during lifting is to be determined and provided to all personnel. A lift plan is to be developed which shall detail the lift sequence and consider ground conditions and travel requirements. Cranes in tandem lifts are to be limited to 75% of their load chart unless a lift study is prepared under the supervision of a person qualified in tandem lifts and then only when necessary. Finally, once a lift plan has been developed, no deviations are to be made from the plan unless the changes have been reviewed by the supervising personnel. A new section has been added that is dedicated to personnel lifting. The section is divided into categories for pinned baskets and for suspended baskets. The new section largely reflects the current regulations for manbasket use on cranes (see O.Reg. 213/91, section 153). For example, the platform is to be designed by a professional engineer and have design drawings, and the crane is to be equipped with various safety devices. One substantial departure from the regulations is the extent to which the crane should be downrated for personnel lifting. The regulations call for the crane to be downrated to one quarter of its original capacity. This standard allows the crane to be downrated to one half of the rated capacity. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until the regulations change (hopefully soon) before we can take advantage of the new requirements adopted by the standard. Other areas that differ from the current regulations include requirements for a trial lift before using a suspended basket, continuous grab rails inside their perimeter (suspended platforms only), and load testing of platforms following structural repairs (pinned platforms only). Appendices Some new appendices were added to this version of the standard. Besides the previously mentioned appendix, "Responsibilities of Management and Operators", two others look interesting. Appendix E provides various options for the proper use of a wedge socket finally putting to rest any debate on whether or not to clip the dead end to the live line, if any still existed. Appendix H provides a "Guide to Bearing Pressure" for various soil conditions. Together with outrigger loading tables, it may be used to help operators in judging whether their outrigger pads are of sufficient size to make a particular lift. It is, however, just a guide and a professional engineer should be consulted where any doubt exists. Conclusion The new version of Z150 maintains much of the old version but is restructured to be much more comprehensive. Some areas do require clarification especially as they relate to the differences between pinned and suspended baskets, and requirements for load testing after repairs. However, the new sections are welcome additions that provide guidelines on many areas that were previously not addressed or that were hotly debated by those in the industry. We hope that this
brief summary has helped in providing an understanding of the changes and
how they will affect the crane industry. Not everything could be covered
in detail, however, if you would like further information, feel free to contact
us at 613-745-8230 and we will be glad to help you. |
Hiab at Work
"HIAB invented the world's first hydraulic truck mounted cranes in 1947 and since it's introduction in Canada in 1954, HIAB has been Canada's most popular articulated truck crane. The reason is simple -- HIAB truck cranes are engineered and built better to work harder and last longer. HIAB crane owners expect long term dependability and value.
With over 60 models to choose from, there's a HIAB truck mounted crane just right for your application. Truck crane models range in capacities from 0.8 up to 80 tonne meters with long reaches out to 25 meters. HIAB's superior hydraulic systems give you unmatched control of the crane and advanced ergonomic designs ensure operator comfort.
The utmost in safety is built into all HIAB truck cranes. Not only are these truck cranes designed and manufactured with the latest safety features, but HIAB truck cranes themselves are rigorously tested in accordance with the International ISO 9001 standards. In fact, our HIAB XS truck mounted cranes are designed to fulfill both the new EU standard EN 12999 and the new construction norm EN 13001, which in the near future will replace DIN15018.
HIAB truck mounted cranes can provide a cost effective solution for just
about any of today's deliveries whether it's in the construction industry
or in road-building, on hydro or telecommunications lines, in handling heavy
machinery or in waste recycling."
Quote taken from Atlas Polar and Hiab