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Crane, Hoist, and Sling Safety

Tony Cygan

Your EHS contact for Crane, Hoist, and Sling Safety
[email protected]
814-865-6391

This program has been established to:

  • Ensure the safe use of cranes, hoists and slings.
  • Ensure that work units understand and comply with safety standards related to cranes, hoists and slings.
  • Assign responsibilities to personnel which are necessary for successful implementation of this program.
Crane hoisting a large Nittany Lion Logo at Beaver Stadium

Program Applicability

The Crane, Hoist & Sling Program applies to University employees who operate cranes or hoists and those who use rigging equipment such as slings while performing work at Penn State. Covered equipment includes, but is not limited to, overhead and gantry cranes, semi‑gantry cranes, cantilever gantry cranes, wall cranes, monorail cranes, bridge cranes, single‑girder cranes, overhead hoists, and other equipment with similar operating characteristics.

Program Requirements

The Crane, Hoist and Sling Program establishes responsibilities for supervisors and employees and sets minimum requirements for training, inspection, and recordkeeping to ensure safe lifting operations.

  • Supervisor Responsibilities
    Supervisors must understand program requirements, ensure employee compliance, verify that employees receive required training, and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and used.
  • Employee Responsibilities
    Employees must comply with all program requirements, complete required training, perform pre‑use inspections, and promptly report any safety concerns related to cranes, hoists, or slings to their supervisor.
  • Training Requirements
    Crane and hoist operator training typically includes classroom instruction and hands‑on training. In addition, documented operator evaluations are required for bridge crane operators. Employees must complete required training before operating equipment independently. Retraining is required when unsafe operation is observed, an accident or near‑miss occurs, different equipment is assigned, or workplace conditions change in a way that could affect safe operation.
  • Inspection Requirements
    Cranes, hoists, and slings must be inspected at specific intervals. Operators must perform daily pre‑use visual inspections and functional tests. Monthly inspections of cranes and hoists must be documented. Annual inspections of cranes and hoists must be conducted by a qualified third‑party inspector, while slings must receive documented annual inspections by a designated work unit representative or a qualified third party.
  • Recordkeeping Requirements
    Work units must maintain records for cranes and hoists, operator training and evaluations, inspection reports, repair and maintenance records, and load test documentation.

Documents and Forms

Program

  • Crane, Hoist and Sling Safety Program

Procedure/ Lists:

  • Pre-Use Crane, Hoist and Sling Inspection Guidelines (Appendix A)

Forms/ Checklists:

  • Crane and Hoist Monthly Inspection Checklist (Appendix B)
  • Crane and Hoist Training Certification Form (Appendix E)
  • Bridge Crane Operator Evaluation Form (Appendix G)
  • Annual Sling Inspection Checklist
  • Addendum: Crane and Hoist Monthly Inspections - Record of Inspections

Access the documents in SharePoint

Additional Resources