Crane & Derrick Safety Program — OSHA Compliant
The umbrella crane safety program for any workplace using cranes or derricks. Covers overhead/gantry (1910.179), mobile and tower cranes (1926 Subpart CC), operator qualifications (NCCCO crosswalk), inspection schedules, and rigging procedures.
When this template is required
Required wherever cranes or derricks are used. General industry overhead and gantry cranes are covered by 1910.179. Construction cranes (mobile, tower, fixed) are covered by 1926 Subpart CC. Both require operator qualifications, inspection programs, and rigging procedures.
Why this template
Both general industry AND construction
1910.179 covers overhead and gantry cranes in general industry. 1926 Subpart CC covers construction cranes (mobile, tower, fixed). Most employers with cranes have both contexts; the program covers both.
NCCCO operator qualification crosswalk
1926 Subpart CC requires operator certification (NCCCO is the most common certifying body). The program documents the certification requirements and includes the operator qualification record.
Triple-inspection schedule built in
Pre-shift visual + frequent (monthly) + periodic (annual) — three inspection cycles required by both 1910.179 and 1926.1412. The program has separate checklists for each cycle.
Cross-references Critical Lift Plan
Critical lifts (multi-crane, over personnel, >75% capacity, personnel hoisting) require a separate Critical Lift Plan. The program documents the trigger criteria and references the Critical Lift Plan template.
What you receive
- Crane Safety Program (Word .docx) — general industry + construction
- Operator qualification record (NCCCO certification crosswalk)
- Rigger and Signal Person qualification records
- Pre-shift, monthly, and annual inspection checklists
- Load chart use procedure
- Multi-lift / critical lift trigger procedure (cross-references Critical Lift Plan)
- Ground conditions assessment procedure (1926.1402)
- Power line clearance procedure (1926.1408)
- Maintenance and modification record requirements (1910.179(l))
How you get it
This document is written and reviewed against the standard it cites, and it is ready now. The download link is emailed as soon as your payment clears.
Revisions included — if something about your operation changes what the document should say, reply to the delivery email and we will amend it.
Who buys this
- Manufacturing facilities with overhead/bridge cranes
- Construction GCs and crane subcontractors
- Steel erection contractors
- Wind energy installation
- Bridge and heavy civil construction
- Shipyards and marine construction
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 1910.179 and 1926 Subpart CC?
1910.179 covers overhead and gantry cranes in general industry (manufacturing, warehousing) — typically permanently-installed bridge cranes. 1926 Subpart CC (1926.1400-1442) covers cranes used in construction — mobile cranes, tower cranes, overhead/gantry in construction context, derricks, articulating cranes. The two standards differ on operator qualifications (Subpart CC requires NCCCO-equivalent certification; 1910.179 has lighter requirements), inspection frequencies, and load chart use.
Does OSHA require crane operator certification?
For construction work under 1926 Subpart CC: yes — operator certification through an accredited certifying body (NCCCO most commonly) is required per 1926.1427. For general industry work under 1910.179: 'qualified' operator required but no specific certification mandated. Many employers use NCCCO certification across both contexts for consistency.
What's the inspection schedule?
Three cycles: (1) Pre-shift / daily — visual inspection by the operator before use; (2) Frequent — monthly inspections of safety devices, brakes, hooks, ropes/chains; (3) Periodic — annual or more frequent inspection by a Qualified Person, including thorough inspection of structural members, hoist mechanism, electrical systems. The program has checklists for each.
What's a Critical Lift Plan?
Critical lifts — typically multi-crane, lifts over personnel, lifts over operating facilities, lifts at or above 75% of crane capacity, personnel hoisting, or other lifts meeting employer-defined criteria — require a written pre-lift plan beyond the routine inspection process. Our separate Critical Lift Plan template covers this. The Crane Safety Program references the Critical Lift Plan as the per-lift workflow.
Are below-the-hook devices (slings, spreader bars) covered?
The crane itself is covered by the OSHA standards. Below-the-hook lifting devices (slings, spreader bars, magnets, vacuum lifters, lifting beams) are covered by ASME B30.20 and OSHA 1910.184 (slings) plus the general 1926.251 (construction). The program addresses below-the-hook inspection and use; for detailed rigging programs, additional documentation may be appropriate.