Equipment Hazards

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Equipment Hazards

Protecting equipment operators and others from injury from equipment used to move or lift loads, or from equipment with motorized parts, begins with requiring equipment operators to enroll in the Medical Surveillance Program and obtain training and a license or permit to operate the following equipment:

  • Cranes and rigs
  • Permit required equipment
  • Motor vehicles

Machining Tools and Equipment

University of Michigan (U-M) staff and contractors who actively work in machine shops, laboratories, and other U-M facilities with machining tools and equipment must follow the University Standard for safety and administrative controls to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

crane

Cranes, hoists, and slings are used in U-M buildings across campus to move heavy loads and equipment. To ensure that this equipment is used properly and maintained in a safe manner it is necessary to implement a maintenance, training, and inspection program.

Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals

Supplemental Information

EHS

EHS inspects powered cranes and hoists on campus and maintains the inspection records, unless a department elects to develop and manage their own inspection program.

Departments

Departments must:

  • Train all crane, hoist, and sling operators on the specific equipment they will be using
  • Make any necessary repairs to the powered crane or hoist
  • Maintain written documentation of all aspects of the program under their control, including training, inspections, repairs, and maintenance
  • If electing to, develop and manage their own powered crane and hoist inspection program

Operators

Operators of overhead or gantry (“MIOSHA Part 18”) cranes must:

  • Complete both a written and performance test
  • Validate that they meet the necessary physical requirements
  • Obtain an operating permit from EHS. Permitting information is located in the EHS Crane, Hoist and Sling Safety Guideline linked above.

NOTE: The operating permit must be renewed every three years.  Contractors using an overhead or gantry crane must have a valid permit from the University of Michigan (U-M) in order to operate U-M owned equipment.  If not, they must apply for a U-M permit before using an overhead or gantry crane.

Currently, these are the following overhead or gantry cranes at U-M:

  • GG Brown (Structural Engineering room)
  • Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project building (Pool Floor room)
  • Randall Lab (two in Room 1288C), and
  • Central Power Plant

No permit is required for employees who only operate cranes other than overhead or gantry cranes, but similar crane training methods should be followed.