Cranes
Follow these links
to related legislation
Highlighted words reveal
definitions and supplementary
information when selected
A crane is a machine used to lift and lower materials, generally with a hoist, in a wide variety of workplaces including industrial and construction sectors. The Occupational Safety General Regulations and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations regulates material handling using hoists and cranes in Nova Scotia. In addition, the Crane Operators Regulation provides technical safety information for safe use of cranes. Employers, operators, and any other competent persons are responsible for meeting the safety requirements prescribed by these regulations and the manufacturer’s specifications.
Common hazards in using cranes includes:
- Overloading.
- Falling or slipping materials.
- Electrical hazards.
- Failure to inspect, maintain, and repair equipment.
To minimize the risk of working with cranes, workplaces must:
- Plan all work with cranes and create safe work procedures, including safe lifting plans, before starting a job.
- Make sure all employees have the necessary training and qualifications to perform their assigned work safely.
- Train all employees in safe operating practices and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Understand and comply with all workplace health and safety procedures including proper reporting and documentation protocols.
- Make sure that employees understand and follow all rated load limits while working.
- Make sure all employees wear appropriate foot, head, and eye protection.
- Display warnings for potential hazards.
- Carry out routine maintenance and repairs as required.
Regulated Cranes
Cranes under the Crane Operators Regulations includes any part of the following equipment:
- Boom truck.
- Lattice boom crane.
- Mobile crane.
- Overhead travelling crane.
- Tower crane.
- Self-erecting tower crane.
- A lifting device used exclusively for raising, lower, or towing motor vehicles.
- A machine that is not considered a lifting device, but has been adapted to lift (e.g., a power shovel, an excavator, a dragline, a concrete pump, a conveyor, an auger, a drill, an amusement ride).
- A lifting device covered under the federal legislation (e.g., railway or vessel).
- A worker’s hoist or material hoist.
- An elevating device covered in the Elevators and Lifts Act or the Technical Safety Act.
- Powered mobile equipment used for primary wood processing and is designed to operate on land and is self-propelled.
Cranes may be equipped with different types of booms. Types of booms include:
Classes of regulated cranes are set out in the following table:
| Class | Regulated Cranes | Rated Lifting Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine. Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes. |
91 tonnes (100 tons) or more |
| Class 2 | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine. Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes. |
18 tonnes (20 tons) or more, but less than 91 tonnes (100 tons) |
| Class 3 | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine. Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes. |
Less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) |
| Class 4 | Boom truck that:
Includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine. Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes. |
Less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) |
| Tower class | Tower crane | Any |
| Self-erecting tower class | Self-erecting tower crane | Less than 40 meter tonne (144.3 feet ton) |
| Overhead travelling class | Overhead travelling crane | Any |
When a regulated crane does not fit into a prescribed class, the CO chief inspector will place the crane into the class with the nearest description of the crane and its rated lifting capacity of the crane.
The work and duties of a crane operator covered by the classes above as referred to as regulated work, except work by an individual installing, setting up, or testing a regulated crane under the supervision of the crane operator, or the operation of a regulated crane if it an integral component of a continuous manufacturing process, if approved by the CO chief inspector.
The owner or employer must:
- Make sure regulated cranes are installed, inspected, maintained, repaired, altered, and operated in accordance with the CO standards and the Crane Operators Regulations.
- Provide a load chart that is specific that type of crane, if required by the manufacturer of the regulated crane.
- Apply to the CO chief inspector to have an overhead travelling class crane reclassified and its rated lifting capacity reduced. The owner may later apply to the CO chief inspector to change the crane back to its rating and classification.
- Make any information requested by a CO inspector available for a compliance audit, including:
- information on the regulated crane’s operation;
- evidence or records of a current maintenance contract or any other information on the maintenance of the regulated crane; and
- evidence or records related to CO certificates of competency, CO licences or endorsements.
- Make sure regulated work with cranes is only done by those holding that class of CO licence or a valid certificate of qualification issued under the Crane Operators and Power Engineers Act as well as any required endorsements that authorize the person to perform regulated work.
Trainees
- Make sure that trainees that do not hold the class of CO licence and any endorsement required to perform regulated meets the following conditions:
- The trainee is under the direct supervision of a crane operator who continues to have control of the crane.
- Any regulated work done by a trainee must be within the scope of the supervising crane operator’s class of CO licence and any attached endorsements.
- The trainee follows all regulatory requirements.
- Register a trainee with the CO chief inspector before beginning training and starting regulated work, unless the trainee is also an apprentice.
- Submit a plan of the training program to the CO chief inspector for approval for any trainee who is not an apprentice.
- Provide supervision appropriate to risks associated with a trainee’s assigned work.
- Only allow trainees to perform work within a regulated category if a supervising crane operator has documented that the trainee is capable of performing the work.
- Provide direct supervision for a trainee involved with rigging.
Note that examination and training requirements for a class of CO certificate of competency or CO licence and payment of the applicable CO fees apply to a trainee.
Accidents and Incidents
- Notify the Administrator or designate of an incident at work. Notice must be given by telephone, fax, or e-mail within 24 hours of the incident. A written report may be required.
Crane Manual and Logbook
- Provide crane operators with convenient access to:
- the crane’s manual;
- the logbook for recording relevant comments and information about the safe operation, maintenance and servicing of the crane;
- the Technical Safety Act and Crane Operators Regulations;
- CO standards; and
- a load chart that is kept with the crane and replaced if it is damaged or illegible.
Designated Riggers
- Assign a designated rigger if rigging is required to perform a lift with a regulated crane.
- Must ensure that a designated rigger has enough of the following training, experience, and knowledge to reasonably expect the designated rigger to perform the rigging so the lift can be done safely:
- rigging training;
- experience in best practice; and
- knowledge and information on how to properly rig the load, lift and crane, including the capacity of the rigging hardware and regulated crane.
Crane operators are responsible for:
- All aspects of a lift, including the rigging, except if another individual is the designated rigger and they perform the rigging. The crane operator may inspect the rigging of a lift or direct the designated rigger to install the rigging hardware to the crane operator’s satisfaction.
- All persons working under their supervision.
- Following the requirements of the CO standards and the Crane Operators Regulations.
- Recording the inspection, operation, maintenance, and servicing of the crane in the crane’s logbook as well as recording any relevant notes.
- Documenting the specified categories of regulated work trainees under their supervision are capable of doing and making sure a trainee only does regulated work after the documentation is completed.
- Providing direct supervision for a trainee involved with rigging, if the crane operator is also the designated rigger for a lift. The crane operator remains responsible for the rigging of the lift as the designated rigger.
- Refusing to lift the load if they believe that the load has not been properly or safely rigged.
Designated riggers are responsible for:
- Rigging the lift.
- Using appropriate rigging hardware for the type of load and lift for the class of regulated crane being used.
- Making sure the load is secured to the regulated crane safely.
Mobile Cranes
An employer must:
- Make sure that a mobile crane is equipped with:
- an audible back-up alarm or other means of protection that provides an equivalent level of safety that operates automatically in reverse and is clearly audible above the background noise at the workplace;
- a manually operated horn (unless the horn was not installed by the manufacturer);
- adequate front and rear lights if the equipment is used after dark or in dimly lit areas;
- an adequate braking system; and
- a screen, shield, grill, deflector, guard, or other adequate protection for the operator if there is a risk of flying or intruding objects.
- Make sure that a mobile crane has a device installed and maintained in an adequate condition that warns the operator when continued movement may cause the load to strike the upper sheaves of the mobile crane.
- Make sure a mobile crane has a boom angle indicator if the mobile crane is equipped with a boom that is not articulating.
- Install barriers (or another equally effective form of protection) to prevent people from coming within the swing radius of the mobile crane’s body where the clearance between any obstruction and the swing radius may create a hazard.
An operator of a mobile crane must:
- Not use the equipment until all air and hydraulic pressures are at the specified operating pressures.
- Park the equipment on level ground, if reasonably practicable, set the parking brake, lower the any attachments, disengage the master clutch (where applicable), and shut off the engine or take other precautions to ensure the equipment is not inadvertently set in motion.
- Not carry containers of flammable substances in the part of the equipment in the operator’s cabin.
- Make sure there are no loose articles that may present a hazard in the operator’s cabin.
- Not allow the boom to swing in an uncontrolled manner wile a mobile crane is moving from one location to another under its own power.
Hoists
An employer must:
- Obtain a statement of the rated load of a hoist from the hoist’s manufacturer. If the rated load cannot be obtained from the manufacturer, the employer must obtain the rated load from an engineer.
- Make sure hoists are designed, installed, erected, examined, inspected, tested, operated, and maintained by a competent person, in accordance with the latest version of the following CSA or ANSI standards:
- CSA standard B167, "Safety Standard for Maintenance and Inspection of Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Monorails, Hoists, and Trolleys";
- CSA standard C22.2 No. 33, "Construction and Test of Electric Cranes and Hoists";
- CSA standard Z150, "Safety Code for Mobile Cranes";
- CSA Standard Z248, "Code for Tower Cranes";
- ANSI standard ANSI/ALI ALCTV, "Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing and Validation"; or
- ANSI standard ANSI/ALI ALOIM, "American National Standard for Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance".
- Post a legible statement of the rated load on a joist so that the operator can see it while operating the hoist.
- Make sure that the hoist operator has enough information to determine the load that the hoist can operate safely under any operating condition.
- Obtain a revised statement of the rated load of the hoist from the manufacturer or engineer that modified, extended, altered, or repaired part of the hoist.
- Provide information on any revised rated load to the operated.
- Establish a written work procedure to provide adequate warning or information about the hazard of potential of overhead loads to people below.
Inspections
- Make sure, in addition to the inspection requirements in the applicable standards above, that:
- a competent person inspects a hoist at least once a year; and
- a certificate from an engineer is obtained on an annual basis where the hoist is a mobile or overhead crane with a capacity greater than 5 t; or
- a certificate from an engineer is obtained if the hoist is a tower crane
- prior to the tower crane being put into service,
- each time it is erected, and
- once during each year of operation.
- Must confirm through the inspection that a hoist has a rated load identified and no component will fail within that rated load. The competent person and engineer must perform all the appropriate tests to ensure that the hoist can lift its rated load, which includes a running test, load test, deflection, and brake test.
- Make sure load testing, the hoist is not subjected to weights over the safety factor. A hoist’s safety factor is identified by:
- the manufacturer’s specifications or the applicable standard; or
- the certification by an engineer, if the manufacturer’s specification is not available.
- Make sure a competent person visually inspects the hoist and its safety devices for defects that may affect the structural integrity of the hoist.
- before it is first used;
- before it is used again after 1 month or more of disuse;
- once a month of operation during its operation; and
- after any repair or incident, including contact with an energized utility line or equipment that may have damaged some part of the hoist or endangered any person.
- Remove the hoist from service if an inspection identifies a defect affecting the safe operation of the hoist and repair the hoist before allowing it to be used again.
- Make sure any limit switches and safety devices were installed on a hoist by the manufacturer are maintained in adequate condition.
Record Keeping
- Maintain a record of:
- each inspection of a hoist; and
- each repair that could affect the structural integrity of a hoist’s load bearing part, including the date, time, nature and results of the inspection or repair and the name of the person who inspected or repaired the hoist or part.
The operator of a hoist must:
- Not subject the hoist to a load greater than its rated load.
- Visually inspect the hoist daily before it is used to verify it is in adequate working order.
- Not carry a load over any person, unless:
- it is not reasonably practicable to:
- divert the traffic route of the person, or
- use another lifting route; and
- the employer has established a written work procedure to provide adequate warning or information about the hazards to people at or near the workplace.
- Not leave a suspended load unattended.
- Make sure that a guide rope or other means to stabilize the load is used where an uncontrolled swing or rotation of a load may endanger others.
Crane-supported Work-platforms
An employer must:
- Make sure crane-supported work-platforms are designed, maintained, inspected and used to meet the requirements set out in CSA standard Z150, “Safety Code on Mobile Cranes”.
An operator of a crane or hoist used to suspend a work-platform must:
Demolition Work
When a demolition project uses a heavy weight suspended by a cable from a crane or other hoist, an employer must:
- Make sure only people directly involved with the demolition enter the demolition zone while the project is being demolished.
- Assign a signaller to guide the operator if the operator cannot see where the material from the demolition will fall while operating a hoist or crane with a heavy weight suspended by cable.
- Establish a written procedure certified by an engineer for demolitions that involve undercutting structural supports.
- Identify structural components that are needed to prevent an uncontrolled collapse of the project so that they are not removed inadvertently.
- Make sure the supporting cable and weight can only swing against the project being demolished. The cable must be either short enough or secured in order to prevent the risk of unintended contact with the swinging weight.
(i) it is equipped with a lattice or telescoping boom,
(ii) it is mounted on a chassis or structure designed specifically to carry or transport the lifting device,
(iii) it is mounted on a turret or turntable designed to rotate the lifting device in the horizontal plane,
(iv) it has a manufacturer's rated lifting capacity of more than 4.5 tonnes (5 tons).
(i) it is mounted on wheels,
(ii) it travels overhead on rails or beams that are either fixed overhead or supported from the ground,
(iii) it incorporates a power-driven drum and bridge and a cable or rope,
(iv) it uses a bridge and trolley, or monorail and trolley, and a winch for moving a load in the vertical and horizontal planes,
(v) it has a rated lifting capacity of more than 9.1 tonnes (10 tons).
(i) it incorporates a power-driven drum with a cable or rope and a vertical mast or tower,
(ii) it has either a stationary boom with a trolley or a luffing boom or jib,
(iii) it is the travelling, fixed, articulating, telescoping or climbing type,
(iv) it is used exclusively for raising, lowering, transporting or moving material,
(v) it is designed so that it can be assembled and disassembled for use at various sites,
(vi) it is not a mobile crane outfitted as a tower crane.
(i) it is capable of self-erection by means of articulation from a position for transport to a position for operation,
(ii) it does not require a concrete base to support the crane,
(iii) it has a rated lifting capacity of less than 40 meter tonne (144.3 feet ton),
(iv) it operates by remote control or pendant control.
(i) it is typically constructed of hollow structural steel sections with each section of a smaller cross-section housed inside the next larger section,
(ii) it is supported and raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinder attached to the boom and crane superstructure,
(iii) it can be increased or diminished in length by telescoping each section of boom through hydraulic actuation,
(iv) it is capable of articulating or pivoting, at multiple points along the boom, in the vertical plane using hydraulic actuation,
(v) it is capable of including a winch for lifting a load.
(i) it is typically constructed of tubular or structural steel chords with steel lacings that interconnect to form a rigid frame,
(ii) it is supported by a gantry or mast,
(iii) it is raised or lowered by a series of wire ropes and sheaves attached to the gantry or mast and to the lifting device's superstructure,
(iv) it can be increased or diminished in length by manually adding or removing sections.
(i) it is constructed of hollow structural steel sections with each section of a smaller cross-section housed inside the next larger section,
(ii) it is supported and is raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinders attached to the boom and the lifting device's superstructure,
(iii) its length can be increased or diminished by telescoping each section of boom through hydraulic actuation,
(iv) it can include a winch to lift a load.
(a) boom truck;
(b) lattice boom crane;
(c) mobile crane;
(d) overhead travelling crane;
(e) tower crane; and
(f) self-erecting tower crane.
(i) has control over the trainee's activities,
(ii) instructs and directs the trainee, and
(iii) is able to be in direct communication with the trainee whenever the trainee is performing the duties of a crane operator.
Certain CSA standards are available for online viewing or purchase from the CSA Group. To access these, you must first create an account with "CSA Communities". Go to: https://community.csagroup.org/
Once you are logged in, click on the "OHS Standards / View Access" option. Click on Nova Scotia to see the CSA Standards as referenced in N.S. legislation.
(a) the area designated as such in writing by an engineer before the demolition begins; or
(b) in the absence of a designation under clause (a), the area having its centre at the point of demolition and having a horizontal radius equal to 1 ½ times the initial height of the project, or portion of the project being demolished.
This applies to demolition by:
(a) a heavy weight suspended by cable from a crane or other hoist; or
(b) a power shovel, bulldozer or other powered mobile equipment.
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations
N.S. Reg. 52/2013
Part 23 SCAFFOLDS AND OTHER ELEVATED WORK-PLATFORMS
Section 23.1 Definitions for Part 23
23.1 In this Part,
"boatswain's chair" means a simple body support device used for work positioning that typically incorporates a rigid seat and a suspension bridle and is suspended from an anchorage;
"bracket scaffold" means a scaffold consisting of a work-platform that is supported by metal brackets and attached to a structural wall but does not include a side bracket or end bracket;
"crane-supported work-platform" means a work-platform suspended from the cable of a hoist or crane, or attached directly to the boom of a crane by mechanical fasteners;
"elevating work-platform" means a type of integral chassis aerial platform that has an adjustable position platform that is supported from ground level;
"ITSDF" means the Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation;
"ladderjack scaffold" means a scaffold erected by means of attaching 1 or more brackets to 1 or more ladders to support a work-platform;
"lift truck" means a lift truck as defined in the latest version of ANSI standard ANSI/ITSDF B56.1,
"Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks";
"lift truck work-platform" means a work-platform designed to be mounted on a high lift truck, or other elevating device, to provide a safe-working area for a person elevated by and working from the platform's surface;
"pumpjack scaffold" means a scaffold consisting of a work-platform supported by vertical poles and adjustable support brackets;
"rolling scaffold" means an assembled scaffold
(i) supported by wheels, and
(ii) moved manually,
"scaffold" means a temporary elevated or hanging platform and its structural members that are used to support persons and materials, or both;
"standard", in relation to a component of access scaffolding equipment, means a vertical scaffold member that supports the weight of a scaffold;
"suspended platform" means an access system that meets all of the following criteria, and includes but is not limited to permanently installed suspended equipment, temporary suspended equipment, a boatswain's chair, stages running on an incline and suspended work cages:
(i) it is suspended from overhead and arranged for hoisting, and may traverse the exterior or interior side of a building or structure, and
(ii) it consists of a platform and means of suspension, lateral restraint, hoisting and anchoring;
"transom", in relation to a component of access scaffolding equipment, means a horizontal scaffold member capable of supporting a platform or a lifting beam;
"work-platform" means a temporary horizontal working surface that provides access and support for a person at the workplace.
Section 23.14 Crane-supported work-platforms
23.14 (1) An employer must ensure that a crane-supported work-platform is designed, maintained, inspected and used in accordance with the latest version of CSA standard CSA Z150 , "Safety Code on Mobile Cranes".
(2) An operator of a crane or hoist used to suspend a work-platform must have an effective means of constant communication with a person on the platform.
Occupational Safety General Regulations
N.S. Reg. 44/99
Part 7 Hoists and Mobile Equipment
Section 58 Safety equipment and precautions
58. An employer shall ensure that a mobile crane, lift truck or powered mobile equipment is equipped with
(a) an audible back-up alarm that
(i) operates automatically when the vehicle is in reverse gear, and
(ii) is clearly audible above the background noise at the workplace,
or that another means of protection or warning that provides an equivalent level of safety is used;
(b) a manually operated horn, unless such a horn was not installed at the time of manufacture;
(c) adequate front and rear lights when the equipment is used after dark or in dimly lit areas;
(d) an adequate braking system; and
(e) a screen, shield, grill, deflector, guard or other adequate protection for the operator, where the operator may be exposed to the hazard of flying or intruding objects.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 29; 53/2013, s. 93]
Section 69 Operating precautions
69. An operator of a mobile crane, where applicable, a lift truck or powered mobile equipment shall
(a) not set equipment in motion until all air and hydraulic pressures are fully built up at specified operating pressures;
(b) when leaving the equipment unattended
(i) park it on level ground, if reasonably practicable,
(ii) set the parking brake,
(iii) lower the blades, bucket or other attachment or safely block the attachment,
(iv) where applicable, disengage the master clutch, and
(v) shut off the engine or take other precautions to ensure the equipment is not inadvertently set in motion;
(c) not carry containers of gasoline, diesel oil or other flammable substances, classified as Class B substances under the Hazardous Products Act (Canada), in the part of the equipment where a person rides; and
(d) ensure that there are no loose articles that may present a hazard in the part of the equipment where a person rides.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 38; 53/2013, s. 93]
Section 72 Hoists
72. (1) Subject to subsection (2), an employer shall ensure that a hoist is designed, installed, erected, examined, inspected, tested, operated and maintained by a competent person, in accordance with the latest version of the applicable CSA or ANSI standard listed below:
(a) CSA standard B167 , "Safety Standard for Maintenance and Inspection of Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Monorails, Hoists, and Trolleys";
(b) CSA standard C22.2 No. 33 , "Construction and Test of Electric Cranes and Hoists";
(c) CSA standard Z150 , "Safety Code for Mobile Cranes";
(d) CSA Standard Z248 , "Code for Tower Cranes";
(e) ANSI standard ANSI/ALI ALCTV, "Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing and Validation";
(f) ANSI standard ANSI/ALI ALOIM, "American National Standard for Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance".
(2) Despite subsection (1), a "crane inspector" described in the standard referred to in clause (1)(a) shall not require 10 000 hours of experience.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 39; 53/2013, s. 32]
Section 73
73. (1) In this Section and Section 74, "rated load" means the maximum load that a hoist is designed to lift or the revised maximum load that a hoist can lift in accordance with subsection (9) or (10).
(2) Subject to subsections (3), (9) and (10), an employer shall obtain a statement of the rated load of a hoist from the manufacturer of the hoist.
(3) Where the statement referred to in subsection (2) cannot be obtained, an employer shall obtain a statement of the rated load of the hoist from an engineer.
(4) In addition to any inspection under Section 72, an employer shall ensure that
(a) a competent person inspects a hoist at least once a year;
(b) where the hoist is a mobile or overhead crane with a capacity of greater than 5 t, a certificate from an engineer is obtained on an annual basis with respect to the mobile or overhead crane; or
(c) where the hoist is a tower crane, a certificate from an engineer is obtained with respect to the tower crane
(i) prior to the tower crane being put into service and each time it is erected, and
(ii) once during each year of operation.
(5) An inspection or a certification required under subsection (4) shall confirm that a hoist has a rated load identified and that no component will fail within its rated load.
(6) The competent person inspecting a hoist under clause (4)(a) and an engineer certifying a mobile or overhead crane under clause (4)(b) or a tower crane under clause (4)(c) shall perform the appropriate tests to ensure that the hoist is capable of lifting its rated load, including, where appropriate, a running test, load test, deflection test and brake test.
(7) An employer shall post a legible statement of the rated load referred to in subsection (2) or (3) on a hoist so that the operator of the hoist is able to see it when operating the hoist.
(8) The employer shall ensure that an operator of a hoist has sufficient information to determine the load that the hoist is capable of hoisting safely under any operating condition.
(9) Where part of a hoist is modified, extended, altered or repaired so as to potentially affect the rated load of the hoist, an employer shall obtain a revised statement of the rated load of the hoist from the manufacturer, if the manufacturer performed the work, otherwise from an engineer, and post it on the hoist in the manner described in subsection (7).
(10) Where an employer believes that a reduction in the rated load is warranted or has been informed by the manufacturer of the hoist or an engineer that a reduction in the rated load is warranted, the employer shall
(a) obtain a revised statement of the rated load of the hoist from the manufacturer or an engineer;
(b) reduce the rated load of the hoist to a revised level certified as adequate by the manufacturer or an engineer; and
(c) remove the statement of rated load from the hoist and post the revised statement of rated load on the hoist in the manner described in subsection (7).
(11) Where the employer has obtained a revised statement of the rated load of a hoist pursuant to subsections (9) or (10), the employer shall provide sufficient information to the operator of the hoist to enable the operator to determine the load that the hoist is capable of hoisting safely under any operating condition.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, ss. 40, 41]
Section 74
74. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the operator of a hoist shall not subject the hoist to a load in excess of its rated load.
(2) At the time that tests are performed for purposes of an inspection or certification, the person inspecting the hoist may cause the hoist to be subject to a load in excess of its rated load, but not in excess of the safety factor identified by
(a) the applicable standard in Section 72 or the manufacturer's specifications; or
(b) where there is no standard or manufacturer's specifications, the specifications certified by an engineer.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 41]
Section 75
75. (1) In addition to any inspections referred to in Sections 72 or 73, an employer shall ensure that a competent person visually inspects a hoist, including any safety devices, for defects that may affect the structural integrity of the hoist
(a) before it is put into service initially or after 1 month or more of disuse;
(b) once during every month of operation; and
(c) after any incident or repair, including contact with an energized utility line or equipment that may have damaged some part of the hoist or endangered any person.
(2) Where an inspection identifies a defect in a hoist that affects the safe operation of the hoist, an employer shall remove the hoist from service and repair it before it is put back into service.
(3) An employer shall maintain a record of
(a) each inspection of a hoist required under Sections 72 and 73, and subsection (1); and
(b) each repair potentially affecting the structural integrity of a component of a hoist that supports a load, including the date, time, nature and results of the inspection or repair and the name of the person who performed the inspection or repair to a hoist.
(4) Where limit switches and safety devices are installed on a hoist by the manufacturer, an employer shall ensure that these switches and devices are maintained in adequate condition.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 42]
Section 76
76. An operator of a hoist shall
(a) visually inspect the hoist on a daily basis before use to verify that it is in adequate working order;
(b) not carry a load over any person, except where
(i) it is not reasonably practicable to divert the traffic route of persons or use another lifting route, and
(ii) the employer has established a written work procedure to provide adequate warning or information about the hazard to persons at or near the work place;
(c) not leave a suspended load unattended; and
(d) where an uncontrolled swing or uncontrolled rotation of a load may endanger the health or safety of a person, ensure that a guide rope or other adequate means is used to stabilize the load.
[N.S. Reg. 53/2013, ss. 33, 93]
Section 77 Mobile cranes
77. An employer shall ensure that a mobile crane has
(a) installed and maintained in an adequate condition a device that warns the mobile crane operator when continued movement may cause the load attached to a mobile crane to strike the upper sheaves of the mobile crane; and
(b) if equipped with a boom that is not articulating, a boom angle indicator.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 43]
Section 78
78. An employer shall ensure that barriers or equivalent means are used to prevent a person from entering within the swing radius of the body of the mobile crane where a mobile crane is being operated in an area where the clearance between any obstruction and the swing radius of the body of the mobile crane creates a hazard.
Section 79
79. While a mobile crane is moving from one location to another under its own power, no operator shall permit the boom to swing in an uncontrolled manner.
Part 13 Premises and Building Safety, Construction and Demolition
Section 165
165. (1) In this Section, "demolition zone" means
(a) the area designated as such in writing by an engineer before the demolition begins; or
(b) in the absence of a designation under clause (a), the area having its centre at the point of demolition and having a horizontal radius equal to 1 ½ times the initial height of the project, or portion of the project being demolished.
(2) This Section applies to demolition by
(a) a heavy weight suspended by cable from a crane or other hoist; or
(b) a power shovel, bulldozer or other powered mobile equipment.
(3) An employer shall ensure that no person, other than persons directly engaged in the demolition, enters or remains within the demolition zone while the project is being demolished.
(4) Where a swinging weight is used for demolition, an employer shall ensure that the supporting cable is of such length or so restrained that the weight will not swing against any object other than the project being demolished.
(5) Where it is required to prevent the uncontrolled collapse of a project that may endanger a person at or near the workplace, an employer shall ensure that structural components are identified in an adequate manner to ensure the components are not removed inadvertently.
(6) Where an operator of equipment referred to in subsection (2) cannot see where the material from the demolition will fall, the employer shall ensure that a signaller guides the operator.
(7) Where the demolition involves undercutting structural supports, an employer shall establish an adequate written procedure certified by an engineer for the demolition.
[N.S. Reg. 52/2000, s. 85; 53/2013, s. 72]
Crane Operators Regulations
N.S. Reg. 13/2011
INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION
Section 2 Definitions
2. (1) In these regulations,
"Act" means the Technical Safety Act;
"apprentice" means an apprentice registered under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act and enrolled in a program under that Act to qualify to perform the regulated work of a crane operator;
"articulating boom" means a boom that is all of the following:
(i) it is typically constructed of hollow structural steel sections with each section of a smaller cross-section housed inside the next larger section,
(ii) it is supported and raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinder attached to the boom and crane superstructure,
(iii) it can be increased or diminished in length by telescoping each section of boom through hydraulic actuation,
(iv) it is capable of articulating or pivoting, at multiple points along the boom, in the vertical plane using hydraulic actuation,
(v) it is capable of including a winch for lifting a load;
"boom" means a structural arm that supports, lifts, moves or guides a load by means of a rope, cable, block, hook or other rigging hardware;
"boom truck" means a lifting device that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is mounted on and powered by 1 of the following:
(A) a commercial truck chassis with a carrying deck designed to carry a payload,
(B) a truck tractor semi-trailer,
(ii) it has a rated lifting capacity of more than 4.5 tonnes (5 tons),
(iii) it has a telescoping or articulating boom;
"bridge" means that part of an overhead travelling crane that carries the trolley or trolleys across a horizontal plane and meets all the following criteria:
(i) it has 1 or more girders,
(ii) it has 1 or more trucks,
(iii) it has a drive mechanism;
"CO certificate of competency" means a certificate of competency granted to an individual under Section 26 of the Act by the CO chief inspector in recognition of the individual's qualifications to perform the regulated work the class of certificate covers;
"CO chief inspector" means the inspector designated as the chief inspector for the purposes of the Act and these regulations;
"CO fees" means the fees for crane operator services set by the Minister in the Technical Safety Fees Regulations made under the Act;
"CO inspector" means an inspector designated for the purposes of the Act and these regulations;
"CO licence" means a licence granted to an individual under Section 23 of the Act that authorizes the individual to perform regulated work according to the class of licence and as specified in the licence;
"CO standards" means the standards for crane operators established or adopted by the Minister in the Technical Safety Standards Regulations made under the Act;
"crane operator" means an individual who holds a CO licence and any endorsement required under these regulations, or is deemed to hold a CO licence under Section 52 of the Act;
"designated rigger" means an individual designated by an owner of a regulated crane to perform the rigging for a lift with the crane;
"direct supervision", in relation to a trainee, means that the trainee is supervised by a crane operator who
(i) has control over the trainee's activities,
(ii) instructs and directs the trainee, and
(iii) is able to be in direct communication with the trainee whenever the trainee is performing the duties of a crane operator;
"endorsement" means an authorization granted to an individual under Section 22 of the Act by the CO chief inspector, in conjunction with either a CO certificate of competency or a CO licence, that authorizes the individual to perform regulated work according to the type and class of endorsement;
"lattice boom" means a boom that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is typically constructed of tubular or structural steel chords with steel lacings that interconnect to form a rigid frame,
(ii) it is supported by a gantry or mast,
(iii) it is raised or lowered by a series of wire ropes and sheaves attached to the gantry or mast and to the lifting device's superstructure,
(iv) it can be increased or diminished in length by manually adding or removing sections;
"lattice boom crane" means a mobile crane that is equipped with a lattice boom;
"logbook" means a bound book with numbered pages or a record kept in electronic format approved by the CO chief inspector that is used for keeping a record of the operation, inspections, testing, maintenance and servicing performed on a regulated crane;
"mobile crane" means a lifting device that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is equipped with a lattice or telescoping boom,
(ii) it is mounted on a chassis or structure designed specifically to carry or transport the lifting device,
(iii) it is mounted on a turret or turntable designed to rotate the lifting device in the horizontal plane,
(iv) it has a manufacturer's rated lifting capacity of more than 4.5 tonnes (5 tons);
"monorail" means the part of an overhead travelling crane that carriers the trolley or trolleys in 1 or more directions and meets all the following criteria:
(i) it has 1 overhead beam,
(ii) it has a truck,
(iii) it can have a drive mechanism;
"operator's seat" means the place where a crane operator is located to operate the controls for a regulated crane to hoist or control the movement of the load for the crane;
"overhead travelling crane" means a lifting device that is used for raising, lowering, transporting or moving material and meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is mounted on wheels,
(ii) it travels overhead on rails or beams that are either fixed overhead or supported from the ground,
(iii) it incorporates a power-driven drum and bridge and a cable or rope,
(iv) it uses a bridge and trolley, or monorail and trolley, and a winch for moving a load in the vertical and horizontal planes,
(v) it has a rated lifting capacity of more than 9.1 tonnes (10 tons);
"rated lifting capacity" means the rated lifting capacity specified by the manufacturer that is the maximum load lifting capacity at the highest lifting angle that can be attained by the crane at the minimum load lifting radius;
"regulated crane" means a crane prescribed as a regulated product in clauses 3(a) to (f);
"rigging" means performing a load calculation and selecting, configuring or installing the rigging hardware between the point of lift of the crane and a load;
"rigging hardware" means a device or devices used to attach a load to the point of lift of a crane and includes chains, cables, wires, ropes, webbing, buckets, grapples, shackles, hooks, rings or slings used by the devices;
"self-erecting tower crane" means a portable tower crane that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is capable of self-erection by means of articulation from a position for transport to a position for operation,
(ii) it does not require a concrete base to support the crane,
(iii) it has a rated lifting capacity of less than 40 meter tonne (144.3 feet ton),
(iv) it operates by remote control or pendant control;
"supervision" means supervision by an individual who is able to be immediately contacted by the individual requiring supervision;
"telescoping boom" means a boom that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is constructed of hollow structural steel sections with each section of a smaller crosssection housed inside the next larger section,
(ii) it is supported and is raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinders attached to the boom and the lifting device's superstructure,
(iii) its length can be increased or diminished by telescoping each section of boom through hydraulic actuation,
(iv) it can include a winch to lift a load;
"trainee" means an individual, including an apprentice, who is in a training program and actively pursuing a CO certificate of competency or a certificate of competency to perform the regulated work of a crane operator;
"tower crane" means a lifting device that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it incorporates a power-driven drum with a cable or rope and a vertical mast or tower,
(ii) it has either a stationary boom with a trolley or a luffing boom or jib,
(iii) it is the travelling, fixed, articulating, telescoping or climbing type,
(iv) it is used exclusively for raising, lowering, transporting or moving material,
(v) it is designed so that it can be assembled and disassembled for use at various sites,
(vi) it is not a mobile crane outfitted as a tower crane.
(2) A term defined in Section 2 of the Technical Safety General Regulations made under the Act has the same meaning when used in these regulations.
Section 3 Regulated products prescribed (regulated cranes and parts of regulated cranes)
3. Except as provided in Section 4, all of the following are prescribed as regulated products under the Act and these regulations:
(a) boom truck;
(b) lattice boom crane;
(c) mobile crane;
(d) overhead travelling crane;
(e) tower crane;
(f) self-erecting tower crane;
(g) any part of the devices or structures listed in clauses (a) to (f).
Section 4 Products exempted from Act and regulations
4. All of the following products are exempt under subsection 6(2) of the Act from the Act and these regulations:
(a) a lifting device used exclusively for raising, lowering or towing motor vehicles;
(b) a machine that is not considered a lifting device but has been converted or adapted to be used for lifting including all of the following machines:
(i) a power shovel,
(ii) an excavator,
(iii) a dragline,
(iv) a concrete pump,
(v) a conveyor,
(vi) an auger,
(vii) a drill,
(viii) an amusement ride;
(c) a railway operating subject to a federal enactment;
(d) a lifting device on a vessel that is subject to the Canada Shipping Act (Canada) and is floating on navigable water and not permanently attached to a land-based structure;
(e) a worker's hoist or material hoist;
(f) an elevating device within the meaning of the Elevators and Lifts Act or the Technical Safety Act;
(g) powered mobile equipment, which means equipment that is used for primary wood processing and meets all of the following criteria:
(i) it is designed to operate on land, other than a public highway,
(ii) it is self-propelled.
Section 5 Regulated work prescribed
5. Except as provided in Section 6, the work and duties of a crane operator as covered by the classes of licences in Section 26 are prescribed as regulated work under the Act and these regulations.
Section 6 Work exempted from Act and regulations
6. (1) All of the following work is exempt under subsection 6(2) of the Act from the Act and these regulations:
(a) work by an individual installing, setting up or testing a regulated crane when under the supervision of the crane operator responsible for the regulated crane;
(b) if approved by the CO chief inspector, the operation of a regulated crane that is an integral component of a continuous manufacturing process.
(2) In clause (1)(b), "continuous manufacturing process" means a production or assembly-line manufacturing process in which items of a consistent weight and configuration are moved repetitively using engineered lifts by an overhead travelling crane.
Section 7 Recognized certification organizations prescribed
7. A certification organization recognized or accredited by the Standards Council of Canada is prescribed as a recognized certification organization under the Act and these regulations for the purposes that the certification organization is recognized or accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.
REGULATED CRANES
Section 8 Regulated crane classes
8. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the CO chief inspector must classify a regulated crane in accordance with the classes prescribed for regulated cranes as set out in the following table:
Table
| Class | Regulated Cranes | Rated Lifting Capacity |
| class 1 | boom truck or mobile crane that: | 91 tonnes (100 tons) or more |
| - is a power-operated machine with a boom | ||
| - includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine | ||
| Excludes: tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes | ||
| class 2 | boom truck or a mobile crane that: | 18 tonnes (20 tons) or more, but less than 91 tonnes (100 tons) |
| - is a power-operated machine with a boom | ||
| - includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine | ||
| Excludes: tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes | ||
| class 3 | boom truck or a mobile crane that: | less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) |
| - is a power-operated machine with a boom | ||
| - includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine | ||
| Excludes: tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes | ||
| class 4 | boom truck that: | less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) |
| - has an articulating boom that does not include a winch for lifting the load | ||
| - is a power-operated machine with a boom | ||
| - includes a hoisting mechanism that is an integral part of the machine | ||
| Excludes: tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes, overhead travelling cranes | ||
| tower class | tower crane | any |
| self-erecting tower class | self-erecting tower crane | less than 40 meter tonne (144.3 feet ton) |
| overhead travelling class | overhead travelling crane | any |
(2) The CO chief inspector must place a regulated crane that does not fit the classes prescribed in subsection (1) into the class that most closely corresponds to the crane, considering all of the following:
(a) the class that most closely describes the crane,
(b) the rated lifting capacity of the crane.
Section 9 Minor variance to rated lifting capacity
9. (1) An owner of an overhead travelling class crane may apply to the CO chief inspector for a minor variance to have the rated lifting capacity of the crane reduced and the crane reclassified.
(2) An owner of an overhead travelling crane that has had its rated lift capacity and classification altered under subsection (1) may apply to the CO chief inspector to change back to the original rated lifting capacity and classification.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 10 Ensuring regulated work complies with CO standards and regulations
10. (1) An owner of a regulated crane or any person performing the work or duties of a crane operator must ensure that the regulated work performed is in compliance with the CO standards and these regulations.
(2) An owner of a regulated product or any person working with a regulated product must ensure that it is installed, inspected, maintained, repaired, altered and operated in conformance with the CO standards and these regulations.
(3) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that the crane operator has convenient access to the Act, these regulations and the CO standards.
Section 11 Designated rigger
11. (1) If rigging is required to perform a lift with a regulated crane, the owner of the crane must assign a designated rigger for the lift.
(2) An owner must ensure that a designated rigger for a lift has enough of the following training, experience and knowledge for the regulated crane used in the lift, and for the type of load and lift, to reasonably expect the designated rigger to perform the rigging so that the lift can be done safely:
(a) rigging training;
(b) experience in the best practices;
(c) knowledge and information on how to properly rig the load, lift and crane, including the capacity of the rigging hardware and of the regulated crane.
(3) A designated rigger for a lift is responsible for the rigging for the lift and must ensure that the load is secured to the regulated crane safely and use appropriate rigging hardware for the regulated crane used in the lift, and for the type of load and lift.
Section 12 Responsibility for lift
12 (1) A crane operator is responsible for all of the following:
(a) all aspects of a lift, including, except as provided in subsection (2), the rigging;
(b) all persons working under their supervision.
(2) A crane operator is not responsible for the rigging of a lift if another individual is the designated rigger for the lift and the rigging is performed by the designated rigger, unless the crane operator directs the designated rigger under subsection (3).
(3) A crane operator may inspect the rigging of a lift or direct the designated rigger to install the rigging hardware for a lift to the crane operator's satisfaction.
(4) A crane operator who is the designated rigger for a lift may directly supervise a trainee who performs the rigging, but remains responsible for the rigging of the lift as the designated rigger.
Section 13 Crane operator may refuse lift
13. A crane operator responsible for a lift may refuse to lift the load if the crane operator believes that the load has not been properly or safely rigged.
Section 14 Logbook
14. (1) An owner of a regulated crane must provide a logbook for the regulated crane.
(2) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that a logbook for a regulated crane is kept with the crane or at a place that is easily accessed by the crane operator and a CO inspector.
(3) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that the crane's logbook is used to record information on the crane or comments by the crane operator on the safe operation, maintenance and servicing of the crane.
Section 15 Load chart
15 (1) If required by the manufacturer of a regulated crane, an owner of a regulated crane must provide a load chart for the regulated crane that is specific to that type of crane.
(2) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that the crane's load chart is kept with the crane.
(3) An owner of a regulated crane must immediately replace a load chart if it is damaged or if the information on the chart is not clearly legible.
Section 16 Crane manual
16. An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that a crane operator has access to the crane manual for any of the owner's regulated cranes that the crane operator operates.
Section 17 Compliance audit
17. An owner of a regulated crane must make any information requested by a CO inspector available for review for a compliance audit, including all of the following:
(a) information on the operation of the regulated crane;
(b) evidence or records of a current maintenance contract or any other information on the maintenance of the regulated crane;
(c) evidence or records related to CO certificates of competency, CO licences or endorsements.
Section 18 Notice of incident under Section 13 of Act
18. The notice of an incident required under Section 13 of the Act must be given by telephone, fax or e-mail no later than 24 hours after the incident occurs and must be followed by a written report if required by the Administrator or the Administrator's designate.
CO LICENCES AND ENDORSEMENTS
Section 19 CO licence required
19 (1) Except as provided in Sections 20 and 27, a person must not perform regulated work under these regulations unless the person holds a class of CO licence and any required endorsement that authorize the person to perform the regulated work.
(2) Except as provided in Sections 20 and 27, a person must not employ or permit a person to perform regulated work under these regulations unless the person performing the work holds a class of CO licence and any required endorsement that authorize the person to perform the regulated work.
Section 20 Certificates of qualification issued under Crane Operators and Power Engineers Act
20. An individual whose certificate of qualification issued under the Crane Operators and Power Engineers Act is continued under subsection 52(1) of the Act is not required to hold a CO licence and any required endorsements to perform the same regulated work under these regulations, but must apply for a CO licence and any required endorsements under Section 23 to continue to be authorized to perform regulated work under these regulations after the certificate of qualification expires.
TRAINEES
Section 27 Trainees
27. (1) A trainee is not required to hold the class of CO licence and any endorsement required to perform regulated work if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) the trainee is under the direct supervision of a crane operator who has charge of the crane at all times;
(b) any regulated work performed by the trainee is within the scope of the class of CO licence and any attached endorsements held by the supervising crane operator;
(c) the trainee complies with all the other requirements of the Act and these regulations.
(2) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that a trainee who is not an apprentice registers with the CO chief inspector before beginning training and performing regulated work under these regulations.
(3) An owner of a regulated crane must ensure that all of the following are met for a trainee performing regulated work on the regulated crane:
(a) all of the conditions in subsection (1);
(b) the direct supervision provided to a trainee is appropriate for the risk associated with the regulated work the trainee is performing;
(c) the trainee is not permitted to perform a category of regulated work unless the supervising crane operator has first documented that the trainee is capable of performing the regulated work.
(4) An owner of a regulated crane must submit a plan of the training program to the CO chief inspector for approval for any trainee who is not an apprentice.
(5) The examination and training requirements for a class of CO certificate of competency or CO licence and payment of the applicable CO fees apply to a trainee.
TECHNICAL SAFETY ACT
(S.N.S. 2008, c. 10)
Section 13
13. Where an incident occurs, the owner or operator shall notify the Administrator or the Administrator's designate of the incident as prescribed in the regulations.