Manitowoc GROVE RT890E Operator's Manual page 22

SAFETY INFORMATION
Electrocution Hazard
To avoid death or serious injury, keep all parts of this
machine, the rigging, and materials being lifted at least 6 m
(20 ft) away from all electrical power lines and equipment.
Keep all personnel away from this machine if it is being
operated near electrical power lines or equipment.
Before operating this crane in the vicinity of electrical power
lines or equipment, notify the power utility company. Obtain
positive and absolute assurance that the power has been
turned off.
This machine is NOT INSULATED. Always consider all parts
of the load and the crane, including the wire rope, hoist
cable, pendant cables, and tag lines, as conductors.
Most overhead power lines ARE NOT insulated. Treat all
overhead power lines as being energized unless you have
reliable information to the contrary from the utility company
or owner.
The rules in this handbook must be followed at all times,
even if the electrical power lines or equipment have been de-
energized.
Crane operation is dangerous when close to an energized
electrical power source. Exercise extreme caution and
prudent judgement. Operate slowly and cautiously when in
the vicinity of power lines.
If the load, wire rope, crane boom, or any portion of the crane
contacts or comes too close to an electrical power source,
everyone in, on, and around the crane can be seriously
injured or killed.
The safest way to avoid electrocution is to stay away from
electrical power lines and electrical power sources.
You, the operator, are responsible for alerting all personnel of
dangers associated with electrical power lines and
equipment. The crane is not insulated. Do not allow
unnecessary personnel in the vicinity of the crane while
operating. Permit no one to lean against or touch the crane.
Permit no one, including riggers and load handlers, to hold
the load, load lines, tag lines, or rigging gear.
2-8
Even if the crane operator is not affected by an electrical
contact, others in the area may become seriously injured or
killed.
It is not always necessary to contact a power line or power
source to become electrocuted. Electricity, depending on
magnitude, can arc or jump to any part of the load, load line,
or crane boom if it comes too close to an electrical power
source. Low voltages can also be dangerous.
Thoroughly read, understand, and abide by all applicable
federal, state, and local regulations.
Federal law prohibits the use of cranes closer than 3 m (10 ft)
to power sources up to 50,000 volts and greater distances for
higher voltages [29CFR1910.180 and 29CFR1926.550].
Grove recommends keeping cranes twice the minimum
distance [e.g., 6 m (20 ft)] as specified by US Department of
Labor - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) standards.
Set-Up and Operation
During crane use, assume that every line is energized ("hot"
or "live") and take the necessary precautions.
Set up the crane in a position such that the load, boom, or
any part of the crane and its attachments cannot be moved to
within 6 m (20 ft) of electrical power lines or equipment. This
includes the crane boom (fully extended to maximum height,
radius, and length) and all attachments (jibs, boom
extensions, rigging, loads, etc.). Overhead lines tend to blow
in the wind so allow for lines' movement when determining
safe operating distance.
A suitable barricade should be erected to physically restrain
the crane and all attachments (including the load) from
entering into an unsafe distance from electrical power lines
or equipment.
Plan ahead and always plan a safe route before traveling
under power lines. Rider poles should be erected on each
side of a crossing to assure sufficient clearance is
maintained.
RT890E