QUALIFIED RIGGER & SIGNAL PERSON

TRAINING PROGRAM

CORNERSTONE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTORS, INC.

Pursuant to CFR 1926.1940 regarding crane use in construction, the following

training and evaluation program will be conducted for all crew members
performing rigging and signaling during lifting and hoisting activities.

I. General Hoisting & Rigging Safety

Hoisting and lifting represent a high risk activity that must be performed with
proper equipment, personnel and advanced planning. A Lift Plan must be
provided for all crane activities and when requested or appropriate for lifting with
excavators, backhoes or tele-handlers (extended reach forklifts). Your
experience, knowledge and training to assess risks and follow procedures is
imperative. If during any lifting operation that an uncertain, unsafe or at risk
activity is encountered STOP WORK.

Crane safety policies to always adhere to:

-Do not operate a crane, hoist, excavator, backhoe or forklift that is damaged or
has any actual or suspected mechanical or electrical malfunction.

-Do not attempt to lengthen wire rope or repair damaged wire rope.

-Do not remove or obscure any warning labels on the crane or hoist.

-Do not walk under a suspended load or allow anyone to walk under a
suspended load.

-Only certified crane operators may operate the crane; only certified equipment
operators may operate heavy equipment.

-Review JSA’s and if applicable the Lift Plan prior to commencing operations.

General Rigging information

The single most important precaution in hoisting and rigging is to determine the
weight of the load before attempting to lift it.

At the same time, riggers must also

o determine the available capacity of the equipment being used

 o rig the load so that it is stable (unless the center of gravity of the load is
directly below the hook, the load will shift)
o make allowances for any unknown factors.
o be aware of common hazards & factors that reduce capacity
o understand the inspection and use of slings
o know the working load limits of the equipment and tackle being used. Never
exceed these limits.

Inspection of rigging
Examine all hardware, equipment, tackle, and slings before use. Destroy any
defective components. Do not use any equipment that is suspected to be unsafe or
unsuitable until its suitability has been verified by a competent person.

Wind & Hazardous Weather Conditions

Never carry out any hoisting or rigging operation when winds create hazards for
workers, the general public, or property. Assess load size and shape to determine
whether high winds may cause problems. In particular, avoid handling loads that
present large wind-catching surfaces. Even though the weight of the load is within
the normal capacity of the equipment, high or gusting winds may prevent proper
control during the lift. Wind-loading can be critical to how the load is rigged, lifted,
and landed, with consequences for the safety of everyone involved. When winds
reach 25 mph, STOP WORK

When the visibility of riggers or hoist crew is impaired by snow, fog, rain, darkness,
or dust, strict supervision must be exercised and, if necessary, STOP WORK. At
sub-freezing temperatures, supervision must ensure that no part of the hoisting
device or tackle is shock-loaded or impacted, since brittle fracture of the steel may
result.

II. Power line safety / Electrical Hazards

One of the most dangerous hazards for riggers is electrocution caused by an

electrical arc or contact between the hoist, load line, or load and a live overhead
power line. When a crane is operating near a live power line and the load, hoist
lines, or any other part of the hoisting operation could encroach on the minimum
permitted distance.
Review Table A, attached as Appendix A for safe distances of boom from
overhead power lines. If voltage of line cannot be determined a minimum
distance of 25’ must be maintained.

III. Work zone control

Cranes and equipment pose a reasonably foreseeable risk of striking and

injuring a crew member; or pinching/crushing a crew member against another
part of the equipment or another object. To prevent crew members from entering
these hazard areas, the crew must:
-Recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas posed by the rotating
superstructure.
-Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to
mark the boundaries of the hazard areas.

Before a crew member goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of view of
the operator, the crew member (or someone instructed by the crew member)
must ensure that the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location.

IV. Keeping clear of the load

-Where available, hoisting routes that minimize the exposure of employees to

hoisted loads must be used, to the extent consistent with public safety.
-While the operator is not moving a suspended load, no employee must be within
the fall zone, except for employees engaged in hooking, unhooking or guiding a
load; engaged in the initial attachment of the load to a component or structure

When employees are engaged in hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load, or in

the initial connection of a load to a component or structure and are within the fall
zone, all of the following criteria must be met:
-The materials being hoisted must be rigged to prevent unintentional
displacement.
-Hooks with self-closing latches or their equivalent must be used.
- The materials must be rigged by a qualified rigger.

Only employees essential to the operation are permitted in the fall zone (but not
directly under the load). An employee is essential to the operation if the
employee is conducting one of the following operations: (1) Physically guide the
load; (2) closely monitor and give instructions regarding the load's movement; or
(3) either detach it from or initially attach it to another component or structure

V. Inspections, equipment & rigging

Crane inspection records including the annual inspection and daily inspection must
be available onsite. In addition to reviewing the inspection records, an onsite
inspection of the crane is to be conducted with the crane operator.

Heavy equipment such as excavators, backhoes and tele-handlers to be used to lift

and horizontally move equipment or materials must be inspected prior to use and
documented on the equipment inspection form fond in Appendix A of the HASP. All
visible components including hydraulics and safety equipment must be inspected
and considered to proper working condition.

Equipment and rigging utilized for the lift including lifting hooks, shackles, slings and
chains must be inspected. Equipment must be tagged and contain labels with rating
to match the load requirements. Slings must be in good condition and less than 5
years old. Do not use unmarked rigging or rigging in poor condition such as frayed
slings or damaged shackles.

VI. Voice commands

Prior to beginning operations, the operator, signal person and lift director (if there
is one), must meet and agree on the voice signals that will be used. Once the
voice signals are agreed upon, these workers need not meet again to discuss
voice signals unless another worker is added or substituted, there is confusion
about the voice signals, or a voice signal is to be changed.

Each voice signal must contain the following three elements, given in the
following order:
1. Direction
2. Distance and/or speed;
3. Stop command.

The operator, signal person and lift director (if there is one), must be able to
effectively communicate in the language used.

VII. Standard Hand Signals

A signal person is required when: 1)The point of operation is not in full view of the
operator (1926.1419(a)). 2) The operator’s view is obstructed in the direction the
equipment is traveling. 3) Either the operator or the person handling the load
determines that a signal person is needed because of site-specific safety concerns.

• Review Standard Hand Signals chart. (attached as appendix B). Crew

members must understand the difference between hand signals used for
cranes and those utilized for heavy equipment such as excavators and tele-
handlers, and appropriate use for the specific type of equipment performing
the lift.

• Complete the Standard Hand Signals examination (attached as appendix C)

VIII. Hoisting & Rigging Manual

A complete hoisting and rigging fundamentals and safety manual is attached as

Appendix D.
 APPENDIX A

TABLE A - CFR 1926.1410

Table A – Minimum Clearance Distances Voltage (nominal, kV, alternating

current) Minimum clearance distance (feet)

Voltage Distance

up to 50 10'
over 50 to 200 15'
over 200 to 350 20'
over 350 to 500 25'
over 500 to 750 35'
over 750 to 1,000 45'

over 1,000 (as established by the utility owner/operator or registered professional

engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission
and distribution)

Note: The value that follows “to” is up to and includes that value. For example, over 50 to 200 means up to and
including 200kV.
 APPENDIX B

HAND SIGNAL CHART

HAND SIGNALS FOR HOISTING OPERATIONS
1 2 3 4

Load Up Load Down Load Up Slowly Load Down Slowly

5 6 7 8

Boom Up Boom Down Boom Up Slowly Boom Down Slowly

9 10 11 12

Boom Up Load Down Boom Down Load Up Everything Slowly Use Whip Line
13 14 15 16

Left or right turn, depending on

Use Main Line Travel Forward spotter position
Turn Right Turn Left
17 18 19 20

Shorten Hydraulic Boom Extend Hydraulic Boom Swing Load Stop

21 22 23

No response
should be made
to unclear signals.

Close Clam Open Clam Dog Everything

163
 APPENDIX C

HAND SIGNAL EXAMNIATION

EXAMINATION - fill in each blank, 1-23 Name_______________________
HAND SIGNALS FOR HOISTING OPERATIONS Date______________

1 2 3 4

Load Up Load Down Load Up Slowly Load Down Slowly

5 6 7 8

Boom Up Boom Down Boom Up Slowly Boom Down Slowly

9 10 11 12

Boom Up Load Down Boom Down Load Up Everything Slowly Use Whip Line
13 14 15 16

Use Main Line Travel Forward Turn Right Turn Left

17 18 19 20

Shorten Hydraulic Boom Extend Hydraulic Boom Swing Load Stop

21 22 23

No response
should be made
to unclear signals.

Close Clam Open Clam Dog Everything

163
 APPENDIX D

HOISTING & RIGGING FUNDAMENTALS &

SAFETY MANUAL