Omar:
I wish more people in construction, especially those who work outside of the heavy industrial sector, would ask the same questions. I can offer you a good list of reference material, and with your being in Florida, there are a number of good training companies that offer classes in the craft basics, such as the certification courses for riggers and rigging inspection. However, that only scratches the surface.
Although large GC and EPC organizations, as well as large industrial companies and organizations (refineries, chemical plants, power plants, US government entities, etc.) have in place comprehensive company-wide and site specific crane and lifting standards for both on-house forces and contractors. These make it clear what is expected of anyone doing this work. I believe that these standards,along with the new OSHA crane rules are the two most important documents (there are several more as well) for rules and limitations. In short, if you, as a GC, do not have such standards, I recommend that you do so.
You will note that the OSHA standards strongly imply the need for management responsibilities and actions to ensure safe lifting operations and are very specific concerning the need for engineers or qualified persons to perform certain functions. This comes to the higher level lifts that should require a formal engineered lift plan- frequently called 'critical' lifts. These lifts are designated and defined by the stakeholder whose standards apply. These lift plans usually require more knowledge and experience that can be gained from the aforementioned classes- some of which requires the involvement of engineers .More engineers, without previous experience, are being asked to participate in these activities and it is sometimes difficult to properly perform this task on a professional level- frequently on short notice. There are classes and reference material for this level of knowledge as well.
The ASCE CI Crane Safety Committee's membership includes engineers with a wide range of experience and talent, with a mission is to inform ASCE members about crane and lifting safety and operations. We have given webinars and spoken at various ASCE sponsored functions and are looking forward to other methods to achieve these goals. One upcoming event, currently in the developmental stage, is an on-line guided seminar on the basics of crane and lifting operations- led by one of our members,Tim Parker. There are other possibilities, depending upon your specific needs. I will be glad to discuss any of this with you personally.
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James Worrell, PE
Principal
Lift-Think. LLC
Raleigh NC
(919) 518-0671
jimworrell@...------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2017 10:18
From: Omar Rodriguez
Subject: Crane and lifting planning and engineering
Greetings, I work with a General Contractor that specializes in building construction (commercial, industrial and institutional). In the course of a typical building construction project rigging activities are a routine, We want to develop a training / safety induction session for our project managers, superintendents and foremans. The intent is to equip field personnel with a general understanding of rigging and the safety requirements, so they are capable to raise a flag when something slips past a formal review or if they observe an unsafe practice at the jobsite. Do you have any recommendations as to recommended reading, standards or references?
Thanks
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Omar Rodriguez P.E., M.ASCE
Senior Project Manager
AFL Construction, LLC
Jacksonville FL
407-222-2740
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2017 08:08
From: James Worrell
Subject: Crane and lifting planning and engineering
Lifting activities utilizing cranes or alternate methods have become safer in recent years due to the new OSHA Crane Standards, owner and contractor awareness, and adverse publicity from the large accidents that make world-wide news. However, accidents still take place on a regular basis- mostly on smaller duty cycle operations or those without proper planning. There is currently a demand for qualified engineers to participate in lift planning, design of below-the-hook devices, and third party reviews of lift plans. Much of this need results from he new OSHA rules.
We have seen many situations where an engineer, competent in his own realm, is asked to participate in these activities, with the challenge going mostly to structural or field engineers. The Construction Institute of ASCE has a committee, the Crane Safety Committee, which has a goal of fostering crane and lifting safety within ASCE and beyond. We are here to assist anyone in learning more about lift planning and execution, including reference materials, and answers to your questions. Our committee has intentionally sought members with a broad range of related experience, including Heavy Lift Engineers and Forensic Engineers.
We will attempt to answer your questions to the best of our abilities.
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Jim Worrell
Chairman, CI Crane Safety Committee
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