PNNL Hoisting and Rigging Manual
| Scope | Equipment and Operations Review | Hostile Environment Plan |
| Marking and Posting | Inspection and Material Limitations |
Hoisting and Rigging in Hostile Environments
Scope
Normal Operations
Hoisting and rigging activities can usually be accomplished where the environment will allow normal operations with access for hands-on equipment contact. In such situations, operations, maintenance, inspections, and tests shall be done in accordance with regular provisions of this manual.
Special Provisions
This section contains the special provisions for hoisting and rigging operations and equipment in hostile environments where standard operating, maintenance, inspection, or test procedures cannot be followed as a result of radiation or contamination, toxic/hazardous chemicals or gasses, or temperature extremes.
Equipment and Operations Review
Prerequisite Review
The hoisting and rigging equipment or operations shall be reviewed by a designated person to determine compliance with the requirements of this manual. If it is determined to be impossible or unreasonable for the requirements of this manual to be met as a result of hostile environmental conditions, then a Hostile Environment Plan shall be prepared to document alternative compliance methods and procedures.
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
All hoisting and rigging operations shall be consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy's radiation exposure policy of "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA).
First Priority
Safety of personnel shall remain the first priority.
Hostile Environment Plan
Preparation
A Hostile Environment Plan shall be prepared by a designated person and shall cover operations, equipment, inspection, testing, and maintenance. See Typical Hostile Environment Plan (.doc).
Review/Approval Requirements
As a minimum, the plan shall be reviewed and approved (signed and dated) by responsible management at the facility where the crane/hoist or other equipment is located and responsible management of an overview organization (such as Safety or Quality Assurance). Depending upon the site-specific organizational structure, the following review/approvals are recommended:
- *facility manager
- *responsible management, oversight organization (safety or quality assurance/control)
- responsible operations manager
- equipment custodian
- cognizant engineer.
*Review/approval is mandatory.
Hostile Environment Plan Contents
The plan shall address only those actions or features that require deviation from the requirements of this manual because of a hostile environment, but shall contain the following information as a minimum:
- specific requirement(s) that are not in compliance
- difference between the requirement and actual conditions
- justification for not meeting this manual's requirements
- statement of actions or features to be used to compensate for the differences
- specific maintenance, inspections, and tests to be performed whenever access is possible
- replacement or retirement criteria for equipment that is designed to operate with minimum or no maintenance.
Additional Procedures
Detailed operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures that state specific requirements and acceptance criteria shall be prepared based upon the Hostile Environment Plan.
Hostile Environment Plan Distribution
The facility manager shall ensure that the approved Hostile Environment Plan is distributed as follows:
- equipment operators, maintenance organizations, and other organizations/personnel affected by the plan
- equipment history file.
Note: Hostile Environment Plans in the equipment history file shall be readily available to appointed personnel.
Marking and Posting
Equipment that requires a Hostile Environment Plan should be posted "Hostile Environment Plan—Special Maintenance and Operating Instructions."
Inspection and Material Limitations
Hardware
Handling fixtures, rigging, and rigging accessories shall be marked, tagged, load tested, and otherwise qualified, as appropriate, in accordance with this manual before being exposed to the hostile environment.
Polyester
Polyester (rope or webbing) slings shall not be used in a radiation area.
Nylon
Nylon (rope or webbing) slings should not be used in a radiation area unless absolutely necessary. When it is necessary to use a nylon sling in a radiation area, the responsible manager shall ensure radiation exposure does not exceed 100,000 rads during the life of the sling.