2.5.4 student book © 2004 propane education & research councilpage 1 2.5.4 loading and securing...

2.5.4 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council

2.5.4

Loading and Securing ASME Tanks Using Truck-Mounted

Company-Owned Cranes

Coordination of ASME tank loading and unloading is essential to avoid injury or damage to equipment.

In this module you will learn to identify:

(1) Loading safety factors and pre-job planning

(2) Procedures in coordinating marketer-operated truck-mounted crane operations

2.5.4 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1

Loading Safety Factors and Pre-Job Planning

Pre-Job Planning

Before the tank is lifted, transported, and placed in its new location, pre-job planning that includes everyone who will be involved should establish the following objectives:

1. Develop a detailed tank loading or unloading plan along with a description for each person’s responsibilities in the operation.

2. Equipment operators must be assigned and the means used for communicating and coordinating each step of the job established.

3. The locations of trucks and other equipment used should ensure that crane lifts, swings, and other movements are smooth and clear of people and property.


Loading Safety Factors and Pre-Job Planning

Pre-Job Planning

4. Truck drivers and equipment operating personnel should do a “walk through” before trucks or cranes are brought onto the site. Special care should be given to ensuring proper support for vehicles, avoiding buried structures and overhangs, and slopes or terrain hazards that could lead to truck or crane overturn.

5. Safety guidelines should be reviewed with emphasis allowing no one beneath a tank during lifts, swings, or positioning.

6. Any special tank handling requirements should be outlined with clear instructions for each person who has a responsibility in performing a related task


Coordinating Truck-Mounted Crane Operations

Figure 1. Positioning the Crane Truck

Where two or more employees are involved pre-job planning, assignment of individual responsibilities, & agreed clear communication methods are imperative to protect people and property.



Operating the Truck-Mounted Crane

Truck-crane operators should read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for inspecting, maintaining and operating the crane.

They should know the crane’s maximum lifting capacity, and how the crane boom angle and positions affect the crane’s load capacity and stability.




Fundamental principles of crane operations:

1. A crane is basically a large lever. Considering the basic forces at work on lever-type devices, the operator should understand the following:

a) A crane’s maximum lifting capacity is available when the boom (the lever) is as close to vertical as possible.

b) The crane’s most stable lifting configuration is when the boom is as close to vertical as possible, and outriggers distribute the weight of the crane and its load over a wide area.





2. As the crane’s boom is lowered from vertical, its lifting capacity is reduced.

3. As the boom angle is moved toward horizontal, it produces a center-of-gravity shift away from the center of the crane’s undercarriage (vehicle chassis on self-propelled cranes) toward the side of the vehicle where the boom is pointed. If the crane’s counterweights and the load-bearing area for the crane (outriggers and soil) do not exceed the force imposed by the load, the instability may result in crane overturn or collapse.

2.5.4 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 2 & 3




4. For safety and stability, cranes must be leveled and properly supported before any rigging, lifting, or load positioning is started.

5. The crane’s lifting and operating characteristics are also affected by the mechanical condition of all its components.

6. Watch for overhead electric wires, overhead utilities and any other overhead hazard.



Figure 2a. Set the Parking Brakes Figure 2b. Place Chock Blocks

The crane truck should be located on level ground so that the ASME tank can be lifted and positioned within safe working limits of the crane. The vehicle parking brakes should be set, and chock blocks placed in front of and behind the vehicle’s rear wheels.



Figure 3. Setting Outriggers and Leveling the Crane

Next, the crane outriggers should be fully extended and locked into position. Crane outriggers (where provided by the manufacturer) are used to prevent damage to the truck chassis and maintain stability.



Figure 4a. Inspect the Lifting Hook

Before lifting the tank, the crane should be given a brief but thorough visual inspection. Special attention must be directed to the lifting hook and swivel to be sure that it is not damaged, and that locking pins or set screws are present to secure the hook and swivel.

Figure 4b. Inspect the Sling



Figure 4a. Inspect the Lifting Hook

If the tank contains more than 5% liquid, the tank’s lifting lugs or “eyes” should not be used. Instead a ‘basket lift” should be made using slings or chains with adequate load ratings.

Figure 4b. Inspect the Sling


Inspecting Lifting Chains and Slings

OSHA regulations on slings are found in 29 CFR §1910.184. Regulations on truck-crane operations are found in 29 CFR §1910.180

OSHA guidelines include:

1. The operator must exercise intelligence, care and common sense when selecting and using slings.

2. Slings must be selected in accordance with their intended use, based upon the size and type of load.

3. All slings must be visually inspected before use to ensure their effectiveness.



OSHA guidelines include:

4. When inspecting alloy steel chain slings, pay special attention to any stretching, wear in excess of allowances made by the manufacturer, and nicks and gouges. These signs indicate that the sling may be unsafe and they must be removed from service.

5. When inspecting wire rope slings, if ten randomly distributed wires in one lay [twisted wire bundle; “lay” describes the direction the wires and strands are twisted during the construction of the wire rope] are broken, or if five wires in one strand of a rope lay are damaged, the sling must not be used. Wire rope slings must also be removed from service if the inspection reveals any of the following conditions:



Wire-rope sling rejection criteria:

a) Damaged end fittings

b) Excessive corrosion

c) Localized wear

d) A one-third reduction in outer wire diameter

e) Distortion, kinking, bird caging, or other structural damage to the wire rope



6. When inspecting fabric rope or web slings, the sling must be removed from service if any of the following defects exist:

a) Acid or caustic burns

b) Melting or charring of any part of the surface

c) Snags, punctures, tears, or cuts

d) Broken or worn stitches

e) Wear or elongation exceeding the amount recommended by the manufacturer

f) Distortion of the fittings


Rigging Lifting Slings

Slings used should have load ratings well in excess of the weight of the tank and its contents. Operators must always bear in mind that if slings are not arranged to lift vertically as shown in the illustration on the left of Figure 5, the load capacity of the sling decreases as the sling angle moves from vertical to horizontal.

M axim um S ling LoadCapacity Availab le w ithS lings in Vertica l Position

Figure 5. The Effect of Sling Angle on Sling Lifting Capacity


Rigging Lifting Slings

After the arrangement and selection of lifting slings is determined, operating personnel should coordinate the attachment of the slings, tank lift, and travel. At NO time should operating personnel stand or walk beneath the lifted tank.

Figure 6a. Using a Chain Sling to Lift Tank

Figure 6b. Staying Clear of the Lift


Preparing to Transport the Tank

TechnicalTip

It is a good practice to carry a broom on trucks used to transport ASME tanks.

2.5.4 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 8 - 11

Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module…

• Complete the Review on pages 8 & 9.

• See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on pages 10 & 11.

2.5.4 student book © 2004 propane education & research councilpage 1 2.5.4 loading and securing...

Documents

crane lifts

crane overturn

prejob planning

truck drivers

student book

crane boom angle

loading safety factors

detailed tank loading