Section 296-78-770 - Operators(1) Cranes must be operated only by regular crane operators, authorized substitutes who have had adequate experience and training under the supervision of a competent operator, or by crane repair person or inspectors.(2) No person under the age of eighteen years will be permitted to operate a crane.(3) Operators will be required to pass a practical examination limited to the specific type of equipment to be operated. Operators must meet the following physical qualifications: (a) Have vision of at least 20/30 Snellen in one eye, and 20/50 in the other, with or without corrective lenses.(b) Be able to distinguish red, green, and yellow, regardless of position of colors, if color differentiation is required for operation.(c) Hearing, with or without hearing aid, must be adequate for the specific operation.(d) A history of epilepsy or an uncorrected disabling heart condition must be cause for a doctor decision to determine qualifications to operate a crane.(4) Hands must be kept free when going up and down ladders. Articles which are too large to go into pockets or belts must be lifted to or lowered from the crane by hand line. (Except where stairways are provided.)(5) Cages must be kept free of clothing and other personal belongings. Tools, extra fuses, oil cans, waste and other articles necessary in the crane cage must be stored in a tool box and not left loose on or about the crane.(6) The operator(s) must familiarize themselves fully with all crane rules and with the crane mechanism and its proper care. If adjustments or repairs are necessary, they must report the same at once to the proper authority.(7) The operator must not eat, smoke or read while actually engaged in the operation of the crane.(8) The operator or someone especially designated must lubricate all working parts of the crane.(9) Cranes must be examined for loose parts or defects each day on which they are in use.(10) Sawdust, oil or other debris must not be allowed to accumulate to create a fire, health or slipping hazard.(11) Operators must avoid, as far as possible, carrying loads over workers. Loads must not be carried over employees without sounding an audible warning alarm.(12) Whenever the operator finds the main or emergency switch open, they must not close it, even when starting on regular duty, until they have made sure that no one is on or about the crane. They must not oil or repair the crane unless the main switch is open.(13) If the power goes off, the operator must immediately throw all controllers to the "off" position until the power is again available.(14) Before closing the main switch the operator must make sure that all controllers are in the "off" position until the power is again available.(15) The operator must pay special attention to the block, when long hitches are made, to avoid tripping the limit switch.(16) The operator must recognize signals only from the person who is supervising the lift except for emergency stop signals. Operating signals must follow established standard crane signals as illustrated in WAC 296-78-830 of this chapter. Whistle signals may be used where one crane only is in operation. Cranes must have audible warning device which must be sounded in event of emergency.(17) Before starting to hoist, the operator must place the trolley directly over the load to avoid swinging it when being hoisted.(18) The operator must not make side pulls with the crane except when especially instructed to do so by the proper authority.(19) When handling maximum loads, the operator must test the hoist brakes after the load has been lifted a few inches. If the brakes do not hold, the load must be lowered at once and the brakes adjusted or repaired.(20) Bumping into runway stops or other cranes must be avoided. When the operator is ordered to engage with or push other cranes, they must do so with special care for the safety of persons on or below cranes.(21) When lowering a load, the operator must proceed carefully and make sure they have the load under safe control.(22) When leaving the cage, the operator must throw all controllers to the "off" position and open the main switch.(23) If the crane is located out of doors, the operator must lock the crane in a secure position to prevent it from being blown along or off the track by a severe wind.(24) Railroad cars must not be pulled along the tracks with sidepulls on an overhead crane.(25) Operators must not move the crane or a load unless floor signals are clearly understood.(26) The rated lifting capacity of a crane must not be exceeded. If any doubt exists about the weight of a load which might exceed the rated capacity, the foreman in charge must be contacted before any attempt is made to lift the load. The foreman must determine that the load is within the rated capacity of the crane or the load must not be lifted.(27) Crane operators and floorpersons must coordinate their activities on every lift or movement of the crane. Both the operator and signalperson must clearly understand any problem a movement might create with regard to surrounding materials, structures, equipment or personnel.Wash. Admin. Code § 296-78-770
Amended by WSR 17-16-132, Filed 8/1/2017, effective 9/1/2017Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-770, filed 8/27/81.