What does OSHA require for wind on crane sites?
OSHA's crane rule (29 CFR 1926.1417) requires the competent person to adjust equipment or operations for wind's effect on stability and rated capacity, and to weigh the manufacturer's securing recommendations when a storm warning is issued. It sets no federal wind-speed number.
What the federal rule says
Two paragraphs of 29 CFR 1926.1417 deal with weather:
- Paragraph (n), wind, ice and snow. The competent person must adjust the equipment, the operations, or both to address the effect of wind, ice and snow on equipment stability and rated capacity.
- Paragraph (h), storm warnings. When a local storm warning has been issued, the competent person must determine whether it is necessary to implement the manufacturer’s recommendations for securing the equipment.
Neither paragraph names a wind speed. The numbers that matter come from the crane’s own load chart and manual, which is why a monitoring plan starts with the manufacturer’s documentation for each machine.
What some states add
States that run their own OSHA-approved plans can add requirements. Washington’s tower crane rule, WAC 296-155-53900, is an example: it calls for a wind velocity indicator mounted at or near the top of the crane, a readout in the cab, and an alarm when a preset velocity is exceeded. If your site is in a state-plan state, read that state’s rule rather than relying on the federal text alone.
What this means when buying a wind monitor
| Need | Why |
|---|---|
| Reading taken where the crane is exposed | Wind at the hook is not wind at ground level. |
| Alarm set to the manufacturer’s limit, not a generic number | The limit differs by crane model and configuration. |
| Alert to the operator and the competent person | The rule puts the decision on the competent person. |
| A record of readings | Useful if conditions are questioned after an incident. |
Questions to ask providers
- Can alarm thresholds be set per crane to the manufacturer’s stated limits?
- Where and how is the sensor mounted, and who maintains it?
- Does it alert the cab, the ground crew and the competent person?
- How are readings stored and exported?
Common questions
- Is there a federal maximum wind speed for crane operations?
- The text of 29 CFR 1926.1417 paragraphs (h) and (n) does not give a numeric limit. Paragraph (n) requires the competent person to adjust equipment or operations to address wind, ice and snow effects on stability and rated capacity.
- Where do the real wind limits come from?
- From the crane manufacturer's documentation for that model and configuration. Paragraph (h) ties storm-warning decisions to the manufacturer's recommendations for securing the equipment.
- Do any states add wind-monitoring equipment requirements?
- Yes, some do. Washington's tower crane rule, for example, calls for a wind velocity indicator at or near the top of the crane with a cab readout and an alarm at a preset velocity. Check your state plan.
Sources
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