A N A M E R I C A N N A T I O N A L S T A N D A R D

PORTAL, TOWER, AND PEDESTAL CRANES

ASME B30.4-2003

(Revision of ASME B30.4-1996)

SAFETY STANDARD FOR CABLEWAYS, CRANES, DERRICKS, HOISTS, HOOKS, JACKS, AND SLINGS

Date of Issuance: June 16, 2003

The next edition of this Standard is scheduled for publication in 2008. There will be no addenda issued to this edition.

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Copyright © 2003 by

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD

This American National Standard, Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings, has been developed under the procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute (formerly the United States of America Standards Institute). This Standard had its beginning in December 1916 when an eight-page Code of Safety Standards for Cranes, prepared by an ASME Committee on the Protection of Industrial Workers, was presented to the annual meeting of the ASME.

Meetings and discussions regarding safety on cranes, derricks, and hoists were held from 1920 to 1925, involving the ASME Safety Code Correlating Committee, the Association of Iron and Steel Electrical Engineers, the American Museum of Safety, the American Engineering Standards Committee (later changed to American Standards Association and subsequently to the USA Standards Institute), Department of Labor — State of New Jersey, Department of Labor and Industry — State of Pennsylvania, and the Locomotive Crane Manufacturers Association. On June 11, 1925, the American Engineering Standards Committee approved the ASME Safety Code Correlating Committee’s recommendation and authorized the project with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Bureau of Yards and Docks, and ASME as sponsors.

In March 1926, invitations were issued to 50 organizations to appoint representatives to a Sectional Committee. The call for organization of this Sectional Committee was sent out October 2, 1926, and the committee organized November 4, 1926, with 57 members representing 29 national organizations. The Safety Code for Cranes, Derricks, and Hoists, ASA B30.2-1943, was created from the eight-page document referred to in the first paragraph. This document was reaffirmed in 1952 and widely accepted as a safety standard.

Due to changes in design, advancement in techniques, and general interest of labor and industry in safety, the Sectional Committee, under the joint sponsorship of ASME and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Department of the Navy, was reorganized as an American National Standards Committee on January 31, 1962, with 39 members representing 27 national organiza- tions.

The format of the previous code was changed so that separate standards (each complete as to construction and installation; inspection, testing, and maintenance; and operation) would cover the different types of equipment included in the scope of B30.

In 1982, the Committee was reorganized as an Accredited Organization Committee, operating under procedures developed by the ASME and accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

This Standard presents a coordinated set of rules that may serve as a guide to government and other regulatory bodies and municipal authorities responsible for the guarding and inspection of the equipment falling within its scope. The suggestions leading to accident prevention are given both as mandatory and advisory provisions; compliance with both types may be required by employers of their employees.

In case of practical difficulties, new developments, or unnecessary hardship, the administrative or regulatory authority may grant variances from the literal requirements or permit the use of other devices or methods, but only when it is clearly evident that an equivalent degree of protection is thereby secured. To secure uniform application and interpretation of this Standard, administrative or regulatory authorities are urged to consult the B30 Committee, in accordance with the format described in Section III, before rendering decisions on disputed points.

This volume of the Standard, which was approved by the B30 Standards Committee and by ASME, was approved by ANSI and designated as an American National Standard on February 19, 2003.

Safety codes and standards are intended to enhance public safety. Revisions result from commit- tee consideration of factors such as technological advances, new data, and changing environmental and industry needs. Revisions do not imply that previous editions were inadequate.

ASME B30 STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Safety Standards for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists,

Hooks, Jacks, and Slings

(The following is the roster of the Committee at the time of approval of this Standard.)

STANDARDS COMMITTEE OFFICERS

P. S. Zorich, Chair

B. D. Closson, Vice Chair

J. D. Wendler, Secretary

N. E. Andrew, Sverdrup Technology, Inc.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE PERSONNEL

G. L. Owens, Alternate, Granite Construction, Inc.

W. T. Hargrove, Alternate, Mantech International Corp.

R. E. Bluff, Mingus Constructors, Inc.

R. J. Bolen, E. I. DuPont

A. D. Brown, Kenney Construction Co.

P. L. Rossi, Alternate, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA

S. C. Buck, International Union of Operating Engineers

L. D. Demark, Alternate, International Union of Operating Engineers

T. A. Christensen, Alliance of American Insurers/Liberty Mutual Insurance

M. W. Mills, Alternate, Liberty Mutual Group

B. D. Closson, NACB Technical Services

T. L. Blanton, Alternate, NACB Group, Inc.

J. P. Colletti, John P. Colletti & Associates, Inc.

R. A. Dahlin, Walker Magnetic Group

J. W. Downs, Jr., Alternate, Downs Crane and Hoist Co.

D. W. Eckstine, Grove Worldwide

R. H. Fowler, U.S. Department of the Air Force

J. L. Franks, Consultant

R. C. Slater, Alternate, McKay International Engineering

J. L. Gordon, FKI Industries, Inc.

R. R. Reisinger, Alternate, FKI Industries, Inc.

N. C. Hargreaves, Power Crane & Shovel Association/Terex Corp.

E. D. Fidler, Alternate, Terex Corp.

J. J. Headley, Crane Institute of America

R. M. Parnell, Alternate, Industrial Training International

C. W. Ireland, Amclyde Engineered Products

A. Egging, Alternate, Amclyde Engineered Products

L. S. Johnson, American Equipment Co.

R. M. Kohner, Landmark Engineering Services

H. I. Shapiro, Alternate, Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association/Howard I. Shapiro & Associates

H. G. Leidich, Ingersoll-Rand

J. T. Perkins, Alternate, Ingersoll-Rand

C. Lucas, The Crosby Group

P. A. Boeckman, Alternate, The Crosby Group

L. D. Means, Wire Rope Technical Board/Means Engineering and Consulting

D. M. Sleightholm, Alternate, Bridon America Corp.

K. J. Miller, Jacobs Engineering

D. W. Smith, Alternate, Chicago Bridge and Iron Co.

J. E. Richardson, U.S. Department of the Navy

J. W. Rowland III, Association of Iron and Steel Engineers/ Bethlehem Steel Corp.

E. E. Rudy, U.S. Department of the Army

J. C. Ryan, BOH Brothers Construction Co.

D. Sayenga, Associated Wire Rope Fabricators

D. J. Bishop, Alternate, Bishop Lifting Products, Inc.

G. W. Shields, Caterpillar, Inc.

1. R. Toth, Morris Material Handling

2. E. Weir, Jr., National Erectors Association/Norris Brothers Co., Inc.

S. Conant, Alternate, Conant Crane Rental Co.

J. D. Wendler, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

1. C. Wild, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

2. G. Testerman, Alternate, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

D. N. Wolff, National Crane Corp.

P. S. Zorich, RZP International Ltd.

HONORARY MEMBERS

J. M. Klibert, Lift-All Co., Inc.

T. S. McKosky, Consultant

R. W. Parry, Consultant

B30.4 SUBCOMMITTEE PERSONNEL

C. W. Ireland, Chair, Consultant, Amclyde Engineered Products

B. D. Closson, NACB Technical Services

J. P. Colletti, John P. Colletti & Associates, Inc.

A. J. Egging, Amclyde Engineered Products

P. R. Juhren, Morrow Equipment Co.

J. E. Richardson, U.S. Department of the Navy

1. I. Shapiro, Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association/Howard

   1. Shapiro & Associates

P. S. Zorich, RZP International Ltd.

SAFETY STANDARD FOR CABLEWAYS, CRANES, DERRICKS, HOISTS, HOOKS, JACKS, AND SLINGS

B30 SERIES INTRODUCTION

1. GENERAL

   This Standard is one of a series of safety standards on various subjects that have been formulated under the general auspices of the American National Standards Institute. One purpose of the Standard is to serve as a guide to governmental authorities having jurisdiction over subjects within the scope of the Standard. It is expected, however, that the Standard will find a major application in industry, serving as a guide to manufac- turers, purchasers, and users of the equipment.

   For the convenience of the user, the Standard has been divided into separate volumes.

   B30.1 Jacks

   B30.2 Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single or Multiple Girder, Top Run- ning Trolley Hoist)

   B30.3 Construction Tower Cranes

   B30.4 Portal, Tower, and Pedestal Cranes B30.5 Mobile and Locomotive Cranes B30.6 Derricks

   B30.7 Base Mounted Drum Hoists

   B30.8 Floating Cranes and Floating Derricks B30.9 Slings

   B30.10 Hooks

   B30.11 Monorails and Underhung Cranes

   B30.12 Handling Loads Suspended From Rotorcraft B30.13 Storage/Retrieval (S/R) Machines and Asso-

   ciated Equipment B30.14 Side Boom Tractors

   B30.15 Mobile Hydraulic Cranes

   Note: B30.15-1973 has been withdrawn. The revision of B30.15 is included in the

   latest edition of B30.5.

   B30.16 Overhead Hoists (Underhung)

   B30.17 Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single Girder, Underhung Hoist)

   B30.18 Stacker Cranes (Top or Under Running Bridge, Multiple Girder With Top or Under Running Trolley Hoist)

   B30.19 Cableways

   B30.20 Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices B30.21 Manually Lever Operated Hoists

   B30.24 Container Cranes

   B30.25 Scrap and Material Handlers B30.26 Rigging Hardware1

   B30.27 Material Placement Systems1 B30.28 Balance-Lifting Units1

   If these standards are adopted for governmental use, the references to other national codes and standards in the specific volumes may be changed to refer to the corresponding regulations of the governmental author- ities.

   The use of cableways, cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks, and slings is subject to certain hazards that cannot be met by mechanical means but only by the exercise of intelligence, care, and common sense. It is therefore essential to have personnel involved in the use and oper- ation of equipment who are competent, careful, physi- cally and mentally qualified, and trained in the safe operation of the equipment and the handling of the loads. Serious hazards are overloading, dropping or slip- ping of the load caused by improper hitching or slinging, obstructing the free passage of the load, and using equip- ment for a purpose for which it was not intended or designed.

   The Standards Committee fully realizes the impor- tance of proper design factors, minimum or maximum sizes, and other limiting dimensions of wire rope or chain and their fastenings, sheaves, sprockets, drums, and similar equipment covered by the Standard, all of which are closely connected with safety. Sizes, strengths, and similar criteria depend on many different factors, often varying with the installation and uses. These fac- tors depend on the condition of the equipment or mate- rial; the loads; the acceleration or speed of the ropes, chains, sheaves, sprockets, or drums; the type of attach- ments; the number, size, and arrangement of sheaves or other parts; environmental conditions causing corrosion or wear; and many variables that must be considered in each individual case. The rules given in the Standard must be interpreted accordingly, and judgment must be used in determining their application.

   The Standards Committee will be glad to receive criti- cisms of this Standard’s requirements and suggestions

   B30.22 Articulating Boom Cranes

   B30.23 Personnel Lifting Systems 1 B30.26, B30.27, and B30.28 are in the developmental stage.

   for its improvement, especially those based on actual experience in application of the rules.

   Suggestions for changes to the Standard should be submitted to the Secretary of the B30 Committee, ASME, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990, and should be in accordance with the following format:

   1. Cite the specific paragraph designation of the per- tinent volume.

   2. Indicate the suggested change (addition, deletion, revision, etc.).

   3. Briefly state the reason and/or evidence for the suggested change.

   4. Submit suggested changes to more than one para- graph in the order that the paragraphs appear in the volume.

The B30 Committee will consider each suggested change in a timely manner in accordance with its proce- dures.

1. SECTION I: SCOPE

   This Standard applies to the construction, installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and safe use of lift- ing equipment used in construction and industrial set- tings. This includes, but is not limited to: articluating- boom, container, gantry, mobile, pedestal, portal, tower and stacker cranes; balance-lifting units; below-the-hook lifting devices; cableways; derricks; jacks; hoists; hooks; loads suspended from rotorcraft; material placement systems; monorails; rigging hardware; and scrap and material handlers.

   This Standard does not apply to track and automotive jacks, railway or automobile wrecking cranes, shipboard cranes, shipboard cargo-handling equipment, well- drilling derricks, skip hoists, mine hoists, truck body hoists, car or barge pullers, conveyors, excavating equip- ment, or equipment falling within the scope of the fol- lowing Committees: A10, A17, A90, A92, A120, B20, B56, and B77.

   
   

   SECTION II: PURPOSE

   This Standard is designed to

   1. guard against and minimize injury to workers, and otherwise provide for the protection of life, limb, and property by prescribing safety requirements

   2. provide direction to owners, employers, supervi- sors, and others concerned with, or responsible for, its application

   3. guide governments and other regulatory bodies in the development, promulgation, and enforcement of appropriate safety directives

SECTION III: INTERPRETATIONS

Upon request, the B30 Committee will render an inter- pretation of any requirement of the Standard.

Interpretations can only be rendered in response to a written request sent to the Secretary of the B30 Commit- tee, ASME, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016- 5990.

The request for interpretation should be clear and unambiguous. It is further recommended that the inquirer submit his request utilizing the following format.

Subject: Cite the applicable paragraph number(s) and provide a concise description.

Edition: Cite the applicable edition of the pertinent volume for which the interpretation is being requested.

Question: Phrase the question as a request for an inter- pretation of a specific requirement suitable for general understanding and use, not as a request for approval of a proprietary design or situation. The inquirer may also include any plans or drawings that are nec- essary to explain the question; however, they should not contain any proprietary names or information.

Requests that are not in this format will be rewritten in this format by the Committee prior to being answered, which could change the intent of the original request.

ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of any interpretation when or if additional information that might affect an interpretation is available. Further, per- sons aggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME Committee or Subcommittee. ASME does not “approve,” “certify,” “rate,” or “endorse” any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.

SECTION IV: NEW AND EXISTING INSTALLATIONS

1. Effective Date. The effective date of this volume for the purpose of defining new and existing installations shall be 1 year after its date of issuance.

2. New Installations. Construction, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation of equipment manufactured and facilities constructed after the effective date of this volume shall conform to the mandatory requirements of this volume.

3. Existing Installations. Inspection, testing, mainte- nance, and operation of equipment manufactured and facilities constructed prior to the effective date of this volume shall be done, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements of this volume.

It is not the intent of this volume to require retrofitting of existing equipment. However, when an item is being modified, its performance requirement shall be reviewed relative to the current volume. If the performance differs substantially, the need to meet the current requirement shall be evaluated by a qualified person selected by the

owner (user). Recommended changes shall be made by the owner (user) within 1 year.

SECTION V: MANDATORY AND ADVISORY RULES

Mandatory rules of this volume are characterized by use of the word shall. If a provision is of an advisory

nature, it is indicated by use of the word should and is a recommendation to be considered, the advisability of which depends on the facts in each situation.

SECTION VI: METRIC CONVERSIONS

The values stated in U.S. Customary units are to be regarded as the standard.

ASME B30.4-2003 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Following approval by the ASME B30 Committee and ASME, and after public review, ASME B30.4-2003 was approved by the American National Standards Institute on February 19, 2003.

ASME B30.4-2003 includes editorial changes, revisions, and corrections introduced in B30.4a-1998 and B30.4b-1999, as well as the following changes identified by (03).

Special Note:

The Interpretations to ASME B30.4 are included in this Edition as a separate section for the user’s convenience. This section, however, is not part of the Edition itself.

ASME B30.4-2003

PORTAL, TOWER, AND PEDESTAL CRANES

Chapter 4-0

Scope, Definitions, and References

(03) SECTION 4-0.1: SCOPE OF B30.4