Article 1. Permits For Tower Cranes of California Labor Code >> Division 5. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that recent statewide spot inspections of cranes have uncovered a pattern of numerous safety violations so serious and pervasive that safety inspections shall be a continuing priority with regard to all tower cranes in the state.

As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
  (a) "Crane" means a machine for lifting or lowering a load and moving it horizontally, in which the hoisting mechanism is an integral part of the machine. It may be driven manually or by power and may be a fixed or a mobile machine, but does not include stackers, lift trucks, power shovels, backhoes, excavators, concrete pumping equipment, or straddle type mobile boat hoists.
  (b) "Straddle type mobile boat hoist" means a straddle type carrier supported by four wheels with pneumatic tires capable of straddling and carrying boats with high masts and superstructure.
  (c) "Tower crane" means a crane in which a boom, swinging jib, or other structural member is mounted on a vertical mast or tower.
  (d) "Mobile tower crane" means a tower crane which is mounted on a crawler, truck, or similar carrier for travel or transit.
  (e) "Crane employer" means an employer who is responsible for the maintenance and operation of a tower crane.
  (f) "Certificating agency" shall have the same definition as in Section 4885 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

(a) The division shall employ safety engineers trained to inspect tower cranes.
  (b) The division shall establish a safety inspection program for all tower cranes operated in the state. This safety program shall include:
  (1) Safety inspection of tower cranes twice a year.
  (2) Increased penalties for the violation of tower crane safety orders and standards.
  (3) Permit fees as described in Section 7373.

(a) No tower crane shall be operated at any worksite unless an employer obtains a permit from the division. The division shall conduct an investigation for purposes of issuing a permit in an expeditious manner. If the division does not issue a permit within 10 days after being requested to do so by a crane employer, the crane employer may operate the crane without a permit.
  (b) The division shall set a fee to be charged for these permits in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of funding the issuance of the permits and the safety engineers as provided by subdivision (a) of Section 7372.
  (c) The permit for a fixed tower crane shall be valid for the period of time that the tower crane is fixed to the site.
  (d) The permit for a mobile tower crane shall be valid for one calendar year.

(a) The division may suspend or revoke the permit of a crane where the employer engages in gross negligence, gross incompetence, or willful or repeated disregard of any occupational safety standard or order involving the crane.
  (b) The permit of the crane shall be suspended or revoked for a six-month period for first-time suspensions or revocations, and for a one-year period for each subsequent suspension or revocation. The division shall establish a suspension and revocation hearing procedure and appeal process.