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Crane and Hoist Safety

The use of cranes and hoists on UCLA property to lift heavy equipment, building materials, protective systems, erect steel, etc. is inherently dangerous. All parties who are responsible for the use of cranes while working at UCLA are expected to comply with Cal/OSHA requirements and the UCLA requirements listed below.

A crane is defined by Cal/OSHA as a machine for lifting or lowering a load and moving it horizontally, in which the hoisting mechanism is an integral part of the machine.  An overhead hoist is defined in the ANSI/ASME standards as a machinery unit that is used for vertical lifting service involving material handling of freely suspended (unguided) loads.  Cranes and overhead hoists are basic and versatile pieces of equipment used to aid in the handling and moving of loads.

For cranes and hoists used in shops, departments are responsible for providing and documenting training for employees required to operate this equipment. Only trained and authorized employees may operate departmental cranes and hoists.

For the use of mobile cranes on campus, UCLA Fire & Life Safety Division and UCLA EH&S' Safety & Compliance unit will need to be notified. Below is a step-by-step process that outlines how to get approval for a crane lift.
 

1. Please review Policy and Procedures for Use of Cranes on Campus.

2. Select a crane vendor.

3. University representative will fill out the Crane Pre-Lift notification form.

4. Additional questions or concerns? Contact Cranes@ehs.ucla.edu

All cranes and hoists used in campus machine shops, labs, and technical areas must be certified annually and load tested every four years. All employees using the crane/hoist must proper receive training to operate the equipment. Specific procedures can be found inUCLA EH&S' Guidelines for Permanent Cranes & Hoists. Please contact EH&S atcranes@ehs.ucla.edufor details.