Crane Assembly and Disassembly Program
A/D director qualifications, ground conditions requirements, manufacturer procedures, and qualified rigger requirements.
What this document is
This document is a written Crane Assembly and Disassembly Program that meets OSHA requirements for safe crane setup and takedown. It spells out the steps, qualifications, and controls your crews must follow before, during, and after crane assembly or disassembly.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926.1403-1406 requires employers to follow manufacturer procedures or develop their own when assembling or disassembling cranes. The rule states that employers must use a qualified A/D director, ensure adequate ground conditions, and employ qualified riggers for all rigging tasks. It also requires a pre-assembly meeting, proper documentation, and hazard assessments to protect workers from struck-by and collapse hazards.
Who needs it
General contractors, steel erectors, heavy civil contractors, and any employer whose workers assemble or disassemble cranes on construction sites need this program. The requirements apply across the United States under federal OSHA. In California, contractors must also satisfy Title 8 CCR provisions that align with 29 CFR 1926.1403-1406.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA routinely cite employers during crane inspections for missing or incomplete assembly and disassembly procedures. Violations are typically classified as Serious with penalties ranging from several thousand dollars up to the current maximum per violation. Willful or repeat violations can reach the highest penalty tier on the OSHA schedule. Multi-employer work sites increase the chance that the controlling contractor will also receive citations.
What's included in the generated document
- Scope and responsibilities section
- A/D director qualification and duties
- Ground conditions assessment checklist
- Manufacturer procedures compliance requirements
- Qualified rigger selection and responsibilities
How to implement it at your company
- Download the PDF and review it against your current crane models and site conditions.
- Assign a competent person to serve as A/D director and verify that person meets the qualification criteria.
- Incorporate the pre-assembly meeting and ground condition checklist into your daily crane setup process.
- Train affected supervisors and crews on the written procedures and have them sign the training roster.
- Keep the completed program on site and make it available to OSHA or Cal/OSHA inspectors upon request.