Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-56 - Safety standards-Longshore, stevedore and waterfront related operations › Section 296-56-60097 - Unit proof load test and inspection

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) You must make sure cranes and derricks
			 are proof load tested, rated and certified in tons (2,000 lbs. = 1 ton). Cranes
			 and derricks must be inspected and unit proof load tested prior to being put
			 into use, after any significant modification or repairs of structural parts, or
			 when deemed necessary by the assistant director of consultation and compliance
			 or their designee. However, each crane or derrick must be unit proof load
			 tested at least once during each twelve-month period. Unit proof load tests
			 must be carried out by the use of weights as a dead load. When use of weights
			 for unit proof load tests is not possible or reasonable a dynamometer or other
			 recording test equipment may be used. Such equipment must be tested for
			 accuracy with certified calibrating equipment within twelve months prior to
			 being used and a copy of the certified calibration test must be made available
			 to authorized representatives of the division of consultation and compliance
			 upon request.
(2) The weight of the
			 objects used for a dead load weight test must be certified and a record of the
			 weight must be made available upon request. Any replacements or repairs deemed
			 necessary by the person conducting a test must be carried out before
			 application of the required proof load unit test.
(3) The proof load tests for derricks must be
			 conducted as follows:
Safe Working Load
Proof Load
To 20 tons
25% in excess
20-50 tons
5 tons in excess
Over 50 tons
10% in excess of manufacturer's recommended lifting
						capacity.
Proof load must be applied at the designed maximum and minimum
				boom angles or radii, or if this is impractical, as close to these as
				practical. The angles or radii of test must be stated in the certificate of
				test. Proof loads must be swung as far as possible in all directions. The
				weight of auxiliary handling devices such as spreader bars, robots, clams,
				magnets, or other gear must be considered a part of the load. Brakes must be
				tested by holding the proof load suspended without other mechanical assistance.
				After satisfactory completion of a unit proof load test the derrick and all
				component parts thereof must be carefully examined and nondestructive tests may
				be conducted to assure that the equipment is safe for use and has not been
				damaged in the unit proof load testing process.
(4) Unit proof load tests for cranes must be
			 carried out with the boom in the least stable direction relative to the
			 mounting, based on the manufacturer's specifications.
(5) Unit proof load tests for cranes must be
			 based on the manufacturer's load ratings for the conditions of use and must,
			 except in the case of bridge type cranes utilizing a trolley, consist of
			 application of a proof load of ten percent in excess of the load ratings at
			 maximum and minimum radius, and at such intermediate radii as the certifying
			 authority may deem necessary in the circumstances. (The manufacturer's load
			 ratings are usually based upon percentage of tipping loads under some
			 conditions and upon limitations of structural competence at others, as well as
			 on other criteria such as type of crane mounting, whether or not outriggers are
			 used, etc. Some cranes utilizing a trolley may have only one load rating
			 assigned and applicable at any outreach. It is important that the
			 manufacturer's ratings be used.) Trolley equipped cranes must be subject to a
			 proof load of twenty-five percent in excess of the manufacturer's load rating.
			 In cases of foreign manufacture, the manufacturer's specifications must be
			 subject to approval by the certifying authority. The weight of all auxiliary
			 handling devices such as magnets, hooks, slings, and clamshell buckets must be
			 considered part of the load.
(6) If
			 the operation in which equipment is engaged never utilizes more than a fraction
			 of the safe working load rating, the owner of the equipment may, at their
			 option, have the crane or derrick certified for and operated at a lesser
			 maximum safe working load in keeping with the use and based on radius and other
			 pertinent factors, however, the equipment concerned must be physically capable
			 of operation at the original load rating and the load reduction must not be for
			 the purpose of avoiding correction of any deficiency.
(7) Safe working load ratings must not be
			 increased beyond the manufacturer's ratings or original design limitations
			 without prior approval by the accredited certification agency. Such prior
			 approval must be based on the manufacturer's approval of such increase or
			 documented engineering design analysis or both. All necessary structural
			 changes must be completed prior to approval by the accredited certification
			 agency.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60097,
				  filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.
				  95-04-007, § 296-56-60097, filed 1/18/95, effective 3/1/95. Statutory
				  Authority:
				  RCW
				  49.17.040 and
				  49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order
				  86-02), § 296-56-60097, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), §
				  296-56-60097, filed 12/11/84.