PNNL Hoisting and Rigging Manual
Responsibilities
| Scope | Personnel Responsibilities |
| Supervisor or Manager, Hoisting and Rigging Operations | Supervisor or Manager, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair | Designated Leader for Critical Lifts | Designated Leader | Operator | Rigger | Equipment Custodian | Notes |
Scope
This section provides guidance in delineating the responsibilities of personnel and organizations directly involved in hoisting and rigging activities at PNNL.
Job classification terms used in this manual (e.g., rigger, operator, and inspector) refer to the function performed and in no way relate to a classification in any union or bargaining unit.
Personnel Responsibilities
PNNL's hoisting and rigging program is based on equipment manufacturers' specifications and limitations for operation, maintenance, and inspection of equipment addressed by this manual. Where manufacturers' specifications are not available, operation limitations and maintenance and inspection requirements assigned to the equipment shall be based on determinations of a qualified person competent in this field and such determinations will be appropriately documented and disseminated to equipment operators, and maintenance and test personnel.
Supervisor or Manager, Hoisting and Rigging Operations
A supervisor or manager either in charge of the work (e.g., Cognizant Space Manager) or those conducting the work (e.g., Facilities and Operations [F&O] Work Team Lead) shall be responsible for each hoisting and rigging operation and shall ensure that the following activities are completed:
- The equipment is operated by qualified personnel.
- The equipment is operated safely.
- The preplanned and approved hoisting and rigging instructions are used when necessary and always for critical lifts.
- The equipment found to be unsafe or requiring restrictive use is properly tagged.
- The equipment custodian is notified of equipment problems.
- A designated leader shall be assigned to all lifts (including forklift operations) that require more than one person.
Supervisor or Manager, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair
A supervisor or manager shall be responsible for inspection, maintenance, and repair on hoisting and rigging equipment and components and shall ensure the following:
- Equipment is inspected, maintained, and repaired by qualified personnel.
- Inspectors, maintenance, and repair personnel have the tools to safely accomplish their work.
- Responsible inspectors, maintenance, and test personnel have access to adequate information, as applicable:
- operating instructions
- maintenance, repair, and parts information furnished by the manufacturer or the responsible maintenance/engineering organization
- manufacturer's recommendations as to points and frequency of lubrication, maintenance of lubrication levels, and types of lubricant to be used
- maintenance or repair procedures from the manufacturer or responsible maintenance/engineering organization
- wiring diagrams
- inspection, maintenance, and repair activities are documented in accordance with the requirements of this manual
- for equipment furnished with a manual, personnel responsible for inspection or maintenance are familiar with the applicable contents of the manual.
Designated Leader for Critical Lifts
Management shall assign a designated leader for critical lifts. The designated leader may be a crew member or any qualified person. The designated leader for critical lifts shall ensure that the following activities are completed:
- A critical lift procedure is prepared.
- The critical lift procedure is properly approved (see Critical Lifts).
- A documented prelift meeting is held.
- Involved personnel (e.g., operators, riggers, flagman, designated leader) are qualified and understand how the job will be done.
- Proper equipment and hardware are identified in the critical lift procedure.
- The lifting operation is directed by a designated leader to ensure that the job is done safely and efficiently.
- Involved personnel are familiar with, and follow, the critical lift procedure.
- After the critical lift is completed, critical lift documentation is transmitted to the manager for whom the lift was done. The designated leader should advise responsible personnel that this documentation is subject to audit for 1 year. (See Critical Lifts.)
Designated Leader
A designated leader shall be appointed to all lifting activities that involve more than one person (including forklift operations), including both critical and ordinary lifts. The designated leader may be the operator, a crew member, or any qualified person. The designated leader shall perform the following activities:
- Ensure that a flagman or signaler, if required, is assigned and identified to the hoist/crane/forklift operator.
- Ensure that the personnel involved are qualified and understand how the job is to be done.
- Ensure that the weight of the load is determined, that the proper equipment and hardware are selected and inspected, and that the capacity of the lifting device is not exceeded.
- Ensure that the equipment is properly set up and positioned.
- Examine the work area for hazardous or unsafe conditions.
- Direct the lifting operation to ensure that the job is done safely and efficiently.
- Ensure that the job is stopped when any potentially unsafe condition is recognized.
- If an injury or accident occurs, ensure that the emergency is promptly reported. Call 375-2400 or local emergency services for offsite locations.
Operator
The operator shall perform the following activities:
- Safely operate equipment.
- Follow the equipment operating guidelines and, for mobile cranes, the load charts.
- Perform the pre-use and frequent equipment inspection.
- Ensure that the load will not exceed the rated capacity of the equipment.
- Abide by any restrictions placed on the use of the equipment.
- Ensure inspections are current via inspection sticker, other documentation or verbal confirmation from the equipment custodian.
Rigger
The rigger shall perform the following activities:
- Ensure that the rigging equipment and materials have the required capacity for the job and that all items are in good condition, are currently qualified (e.g., inspection is up to date), and are properly used.
- Confirm that the load path is clear of personnel and obstacles.
Equipment Custodian
Equipment owner shall designate an individual who shall have custodial responsibility for each crane, hoist, lift truck, or other hoisting and rigging equipment that requires scheduled maintenance, inspection, and recordkeeping. The equipment custodian shall perform the following activities:
- Verify that operating equipment is properly maintained and maintenance, inspection, and testing of the equipment remain current.
- Ensure that records of the maintenance, repair, inspection, and testing are available for audit in a maintenance file.
- Verify that equipment is properly tagged and, if necessary, removed from service when discrepancies are found during inspection or operation.
Notes:
- It is important that equipment users know how to contact the equipment custodian (e.g., labeled on the equipment, identified in the supporting procedures, etc).
- See Forklifts for specific duties of a forklift truck custodian.
- It is important to recognize that more specific, and possibly additional, responsibilities are stated in individual sections.