Process: Handling Large Materials

Description

This process includes moving large steel plates, erection units, diesel engines, etc.

• Large cranes are used to move large erection units (fabricated sections of a ship). Unit weights may be seventy-five tons or more.¹
  Erection units may be rotated so all welding can be performed in a down-hand position.²
  Steel plates, beams, and fabricated erection units are moved into position on the dock.

Equipment

• Cranes - include capacities from less than 100 metric tons to more than 1000 metric tons.²
  Type of cranes used include bridge gantry, locomotive, wall crawler, and tower. These may be propelled by propane, gasoline, diesel, or electricity.
• Rigging equipment - ropes, chains, slings, shackles, hooks, etc.

Associated Hazards

• Injuries associated with moving construction equipment (cranes, derricks, hoists, etc.) - equipment is often massive, but hazards are otherwise similar to those of other industries. For standards covering gear and equipment for rigging and materials handling, see 29 CFR 1915, Subpart G. Section 29 CFR 1915.115(a)(1) requires that derricks and cranes on barges, vessels, or wingwalls of floating drydocks be tested and certified in accordance with 29 CFR 1919, the standard for gear certification. OSHA directive CPL-02-01-055 provides guidelines for the enforcement of requirements for gear certification.
• Injuries caused by objects falling from carrying devices.For standards covering gear and equipment for rigging and materials handling, see 29 CFR 1915, Subpart G.

References

¹ Best, A.M. "Ship building." Loss Control Engineering Manual (1975).

² "Shipbuilding." McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (1977).