The New York City skyline wouldn’t have been possible without construction workers and would have looked a lot different without the use of cranes. Despite regulations requiring regular inspections and employee training, countless workers suffer crane injuries every year, many of which prove fatal. Our New York construction injury lawyers explain state regulations to protect crane operators and workers from cable and rigging injuries.
NY Industrial Code Provisions for Cables and Rigging on Construction Sites
NY Labor Law 241 requires owners and contractors to make construction sites as safe as possible for workers. Under Section 241(6), owners and contractors must comply with any rules made by the Commissioner of the Department of Labor to carry out the provisions of the law.
The Department of Labor has created specific construction safety rules in Part 23 of the New York Industrial Code to protect people employed in construction, demolition, or excavation work. N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 § 23-8.1 set forth the following general provisions for wire ropes and reeving accessories on cranes:
- Rope safety factors. Wire rope on mobile cranes, tower cranes, or derricks must comply with the listed safety factor requirements. The safety factor for live or running ropes that wind on drums or pass over sheaves must be at least 3.5, and the safety factor for boom pendants or standing ropes must be at least 3.0. If supporting the boom and working attachments at recommended travel or transit positions, the safety factor for live or running ropes must be at least 3.5, and the safety factor for boom pendants and standing ropes must be at least 3.0. If supporting the boom under recommended boom erection conditions, the safety factor for live or running ropes must be at least 3.0, and the safety factor for boom pendants or standing ropes must be at least 2.5.
- Hoisting rope. At least two full wraps of the hoisting rope must remain on the drum of the crane or derrick if the hoist's hook is resting on the ground.
- Replacement rope. Replacement ropes for any mobile crane, tower crane, or derrick must be at least the equivalent in strength and grade as the original ropes furnished by the manufacturer.
- Eye splices. Eye splices must be made in an acceptable manner. Rope thimbles must be used in the eye.
- U-bolt clips. U-bolt clips must have the U-bolt section on the dead (or short) end and the saddle on the live (or long) end of the rope. Clips must be drop-forged steel and spaced per the manufacturer's recommendation. An adequate number of clips must be used throughout hoisting. When a newly-installed rope has been in operation for one hour or more, all nuts on the clip bolts must be re-tightened. These nuts must be re-checked for tightness at monthly intervals.
- Special fittings. Swaged, compressed, or wedge-socket fittings must be applied per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Rope inspection. All running ropes on cranes in continuous service must be visually inspected at least once every working day. At least once a month, all ropes used on a mobile crane, tower crane, or derrick must be thoroughly inspected by a competent, designated person. The full written, dated, and signed report of each monthly inspection must be kept on file on the job site and available for examination by the commissioner. If any rope damage or deterioration is noted during inspection, the designated person must determine whether continued use of the defective rope constitutes a hazard.
- Lubrication. Sheave bearings, ropes, chains, and all moving parts for which lubrication is specified must be regularly lubricated according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Lubricating points must be accessible without removing guards, and lubricating systems must be checked frequently for proper lubricant delivery.
- Operation near power lines. Mobile cranes, tower cranes, or derricks may not be used near or around any power line or power facility except under the provisions of Subpart 23-1.
Learn Your Options After a New York City Construction Injury
If a malfunctioning crane seriously hurt you or someone you love, the attorneys at Hofmann and Schweitzer can investigate the incident and determine whether a site owner or third party could be liable for your injury costs. Call us today at 800-362-9329 to have us explain your next steps at no cost to you, or read our FREE guide, Hurt in a Construction Accident? You’re Not Alone.
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