Glossary of Crane and Rigging industry terms

A/D Director (Assembly/Disassembly Director)
An individual who meets the qualifications outlined in this subpart for overseeing the assembly and disassembly of equipment, regardless of job title or management status.

Articulating Crane
A crane with a boom composed of folding, pin-connected structural sections, typically extended or retracted using hydraulic cylinders.

Assembly/Disassembly
The process of assembling or disassembling equipment covered under this standard. For tower cranes, "erecting and climbing" replaces "assembly," and "dismantling" replaces "disassembly." Increasing the height of a tower crane, whether in stages or to full height, is considered part of erection.

Assist Crane
A crane used to aid in assembling or disassembling another crane.

Attachments
Devices that expand equipment capabilities, such as augers, drills, magnets, pile drivers, and boom-attached personnel platforms.

Audible Signal
A signal consisting of distinct sounds, such as bells, horns, or whistles.

Blocking (Cribbing)
Material, typically wood, used to support equipment or components and distribute weight to the ground, commonly placed under lattice boom sections or outrigger stabilizers.

Boatswain's Chair
A single-point adjustable suspension scaffold with a seat or sling, potentially incorporated into a full-body harness, designed for one employee in a sitting position.

Bogie (Travel Bogie)
A component that enables crane movement along tracks or a supporting structure.

Boom (Non-Tower Crane)
A structural arm that supports hoisting tackle on cranes or derricks, with adjustable length and angle for lifting loads. Boom types include hydraulically extendable, cantilevered, latticed, cable-supported, and articulating.

Boom (Tower Crane)
For tower cranes, the principal horizontal structure. If fixed, it is a jib; if moveable, it is a boom.

Boom Angle Indicator
A device that measures a boom's angle relative to the horizontal plane.

Boom Hoist Limiting Device
A system that disengages boom hoist power when reaching a specified angle, preventing uncontrolled lowering.

Boom Length Indicator
A device indicating the boom's permanent length, including markings or computerized measurements accounting for extensions.

Boom Stop
A device that prevents a boom from exceeding a maximum angle and toppling backward, including belly straps, telescoping stops, and backstops.

Boom Suspension System
A system of cables, pendants, and sheaves that supports and controls a boom's angle.

Builder
The entity responsible for constructing equipment.

Center of Gravity
The point where an object's weight is evenly distributed; balancing the object at this point supports its weight evenly.

Certified Welder
A welder who meets nationally recognized certification standards for the task performed.

Climbing (Tower Cranes)
The process of raising a tower crane’s height, either by adding sections (top climbing) or by lifting the entire crane inside a structure (inside climbing).

Come-A-Long
A mechanical device using a chain or cable for leverage to move materials.

Competent Person
An individual who can identify hazards and has the authority to implement corrective actions.

Controlled Load Lowering
A method of lowering loads using a hoist drum device for controlled descent, utilizing the hoist drive motor rather than the brake.

Controlling Entity
A contractor or entity responsible for the project's planning, quality, and completion.

Counterweight
A weight that stabilizes equipment by counterbalancing loads.

Crane/Derrick
All equipment covered under this subpart.

Crawler Crane
A crane mounted on a base with continuous, sprocket-driven tracks.

Crossover Points
Areas where a wire rope on a drum crosses over a previous layer as it wraps.

Dedicated Channel
A communication line assigned exclusively to a specific signal person and crane or group of cranes.

Dedicated Pile-Driver
A machine designed solely for pile-driving, including hoisting and driving functions.

Dedicated Spotter (Power Lines)
A person meeting signal person qualifications who monitors clearance between equipment and power lines.

Directly Under the Load
When any part of an employee is positioned beneath a suspended load.

Dismantling
Full or partial disassembly of equipment, including shortening a boom or swapping components.

Drum Rotation Indicator
A device indicating the direction and speed of a hoist drum’s rotation.

Electrical Contact
Contact or near contact with an energized conductor, allowing electrical current to pass.

Employer-Made Equipment
Floating cranes or derricks built by an employer for internal use.

Encroachment
Breach of required minimum clearance from a power line by any crane component, load line, or rigging.

Equipment
Machinery covered under this subpart.

Equipment Criteria
Includes manufacturer specifications, instructions, and limitations.

Fall Protection Equipment
Includes guardrails, safety nets, fall arrest systems, positioning devices, and fall restraint systems.

Fall Restraint System
A system preventing falls using a harness, anchorage, connectors, and other components.

Fall Zone
The area where suspended materials could fall if an accident occurs.

Flange Points
Where wire rope contacts drum flanges, changing layers.

Floating Cranes/Derricks
Equipment designed for marine use and permanently attached to a flotation system.

Free Fall (Load Line)
Descent of the load line controlled only by brakes, without assistance from the drive mechanism.

Free Surface Effect
Uncontrolled movement of liquid in a vessel’s compartments, affecting stability.

Hoist
A mechanical device for raising and lowering loads by winding a line onto a drum.

Hoisting
Lifting, lowering, or moving a load with equipment covered under this standard.

Include/Including
Indicates examples but not limitations.

Insulating Link/Device
An electrical insulation device approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.

Jib Stop (Backstop)
A boom stop designed for fixed or luffing jibs.

Land Crane/Derrick
Equipment not designed for permanent marine use.

List
The inclination angle of a floating structure.

Load
The object being hoisted, including rigging and attachments.

Load Moment Indicator
A system measuring load radius and comparing it to rated capacity, warning operators of overload risks.

Locomotive Crane
A crane mounted on a railroad track-equipped base.

Luffing Jib Limiting Device
A device that restricts movement of a luffing jib.

Mobile Crane
A lifting device with a cable-suspended latticed or hydraulic telescopic boom that can be transported by road.

(Additional definitions continue as needed).

Moving Point-to-Point
Refers to the time an employee spends traveling to or from a workstation.

Multi-Purpose Machine
A machine designed for multiple configurations, including at least one that enables it to hoist and move a suspended load using a winch or hook. For example, a machine that can rotate and be fitted with removable forks/tongs (for forklift use) or a winch pack, jib with a hook, or a jib used with a winch. It is not covered under this subpart when configured with forks/tongs, but it is covered when equipped with a winch pack, jib with a hook, or a jib used with a winch.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agency
An independent and expert organization widely recognized as competent in accrediting testing organizations. Examples include the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the American National Standards Institute.

Nonconductive
Describes an object that, due to its material composition and conditions of use, does not become energized. It has high dielectric properties, providing high resistance to electrical current under specified conditions.

Operational Aids
Devices that assist crane operators by providing information or automatically controlling specific functions for safer operation. These include, but are not limited to, those listed in § 1926.1416 ("listed operational aids").

Operational Controls
Levers, switches, pedals, and other devices used to control equipment operation.

Operator
A person actively controlling the equipment.

Overhead and Gantry Cranes
Includes overhead/bridge cranes, semigantry, cantilever gantry, wall cranes, storage bridge cranes, launching gantry cranes, and similar equipment, regardless of whether they operate on tracks, wheels, or other mechanisms.

Paragraph
Refers to a specific paragraph within the same section of this subpart unless otherwise indicated.

Pendants
Includes both wire and bar types:

• Wire Type: A fixed-length wire rope with mechanical fittings at both ends, used to connect wire rope segments.
• Bar Type: Uses a bar instead of wire rope.
  Pendants are commonly used in latticed boom crane systems to adjust boom suspension length without changing the rope on the drum when altering boom length.

Personal Fall Arrest System
A system designed to stop an employee's fall from a working level. It includes an anchorage, connectors, and a body harness, and may also feature a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a combination of these components.

Portal Crane
A crane with a rotating upper structure, hoist machinery, and boom mounted on a gantry. The gantry may be stationary or capable of movement, with legs or columns that typically allow traffic to pass underneath.

Power Lines
Refers to electric transmission and distribution lines.

Procedures
Include, but are not limited to, instructions, diagrams, recommendations, warnings, specifications, protocols, and limitations.

Proximity Alarm
A device that warns of proximity to a power line. It must be listed, labeled, or accepted by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.7.

Qualified Evaluator (Not a Third Party)
An individual employed by the signal person’s employer who has demonstrated competence in assessing whether individuals meet the Qualification Requirements in this subpart.

Qualified Evaluator (Third Party)
An independent entity recognized for its expertise in assessing whether individuals meet the Qualification Requirements in this subpart for a signal person.

Qualified Person
A person with a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training, and experience, who has demonstrated the ability to resolve issues related to the subject matter, work, or project.

Qualified Rigger
A rigger who meets the criteria of a qualified person.

Range Control Limit Device
A device that allows an operator to set movement limits for the boom or jib tip within specific planes.

Range Control Warning Device
A device that alerts the operator when the boom or jib tip reaches a predefined plane.

Rated Capacity
The maximum working load permitted by the manufacturer under specific working conditions, which typically include factors such as equipment configuration, radii, boom length, and other parameters.

Rated Capacity Indicator
See Load Moment Indicator.

Rated Capacity Limiter
See Load Moment Limiter.

Repetitive Pickup Points
Refers to short-cycle operations where the rope spools repetitively over a small portion of the drum on a single layer.

Running Wire Rope
A wire rope that moves over sheaves or drums.

Runway
A firm, level surface designated for crane travel while lifting and transporting a suspended platform. An existing surface may be used if it meets the required criteria.

Section
Refers to a section of this subpart unless otherwise indicated.

Sideboom Crane
A track-type or wheel-type tractor with a side-mounted boom, used for lifting, lowering, or transporting a suspended load. The boom or hook moves only in a vertical direction.

Special Hazard Warnings
Warnings specific to site hazards, such as the proximity of power lines.

Stability (Flotation Device)
The tendency of a barge, pontoon, vessel, or other flotation system to return to an upright position after being tilted by an external force.

Standard Method
The hand signal protocol detailed in Appendix A of this subpart.

Such As
Means "including, but not limited to."

Superstructure
See Upperworks.

Tagline
A rope (usually fiber) attached to a lifted load to control spinning and pendular motions or to stabilize a bucket or magnet during material handling operations.

Tender
A person responsible for monitoring and communicating with a diver.

Tilt-Up or Tilt-Down Operation
The process of raising or lowering a load from horizontal to vertical or vice versa.

Tower Crane
A crane that utilizes a vertical mast or tower to support a working boom (jib) at an elevated position. The boom may be fixed (horizontal or angled) or have luffing capability and can rotate to move loads. Rotation may occur at the tower top (top slewing) or by rotating the entire tower (bottom slewing). Mobile cranes with luffing jibs or tower attachments are not classified as tower cranes under this section.

Travel Bogie (Tower Cranes)
An assembly of two or more axles designed to allow vertical wheel displacement and equalize load distribution on the wheels.

Trim
The angle of inclination of a barge, pontoon, vessel, or flotation device along its transverse axis.

Two Blocking
A condition where the uppermost component on the hoist line (such as the load block, hook block, or overhaul ball) contacts the boom tip, fixed upper block, or similar component, causing system binding. Continued power application in this state can lead to hoist rope or component failure.

Unavailable Procedures
Procedures that are either no longer available or were never provided by the manufacturer.

Upperstructure
See Upperworks.

Upperworks
The rotating frame of equipment that houses the operating machinery, often including the engine and operator's cab. The counterweight is typically mounted at the rear, while the boom or front-end attachment is mounted at the front.

Up To
Means "up to and including."

Wire Rope
A flexible steel rope constructed with multiple strands wound helically around a core system.