Ground Conditions Assessment Program
Pre-lift ground assessment, soil bearing capacity, outrigger pad procedures.
What this document is
This document is a written Ground Conditions Assessment Program that meets OSHA requirements for crane and derrick operations. It guides employers through pre-lift inspections, soil evaluation, and outrigger pad selection to ensure safe equipment setup.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926.1402 requires employers to ensure that ground conditions are firm, stable, and graded to support the equipment and any imposed loads. The rule states that the employer must determine that ground conditions are adequate to support the equipment before any lifts are made. It further requires the controlling contractor to provide written information about site conditions to the crane user. Compliance with this section prevents tip-overs and other ground-related incidents.
Who needs it
General contractors, crane rental companies, steel erectors, and heavy civil contractors need this program. Any employer using mobile cranes, crawler cranes, or derricks on a construction site must have it. In California the same requirements apply under Title 8 CCR Section 1610, which adopts and supplements the federal rule for state-regulated employers.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA frequently cite employers during crane inspections for missing ground condition documentation. A serious violation currently carries penalties up to $16,131 while a willful or repeat violation can reach $161,323 per citation. Multi-employer work sites increase the chance of citations to both the controlling contractor and the crane user. Lack of a program also raises the risk of equipment damage, injuries, and costly project delays.
What's included in the generated document
- Purpose and scope statement
- Definitions of key terms
- Pre-lift ground inspection checklist
- Soil bearing capacity evaluation steps
- Outrigger and pad placement procedures
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Review the document and customize any site-specific sections with your company name and procedures.
- Train all supervisors, crane operators, and site safety personnel on the program requirements.
- Add the completed program to your company safety manual and make it available on every job site.
- Use the included checklist before every lift and keep completed forms in project files.
- Review and update the program annually or when site conditions or equipment change.