It is always important to select a crane rigging equipment company based on their adherence to ASME B30 standards.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers or ASME is an organization dedicated to providing certifications, resources and quality assurance standards for equipment such as ASME B30. These codes and standards ensure a high quality of workmanship, safety, operation of and maintenance for various types of equipment. ASME B30 specifically defines a volume of standards for cranes, hoists, hooks, slings and more. These codes and standards are created by experts in the field to ensure the safety of employees and the quality of the equipment being used in order to avoid accident occurrence.
ASME History and Importance
ASME was established in 1880 during the rise of mechanization and the industrial revolution. As a platform for engineers to bring forth concerns for safety while on the job, ASME has developed into a large organization that provides thorough safety standards and quality expectations for all types of equipment for manufacturing and construction.
Initially gathered to address frequent boiler explosions of the time period, ASME stands as a constant supporter and establisher of high-quality standards to keep engineers and construction workers safe. One of these many standards includes ASME B30.
ASME B30 for Hoists and Cranes
All construction companies, equipment and the usage of such equipment requires a “seal of approval” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For example, as designated by OSHA’s Federal Register for Cranes and Derricks in Construction, a crane cannot be operated by an in-training operator without the observance of a trained supervisor. However, ASME spearheads the research, publishing and expertise that lead to the development of such construction safety standards. Beyond the basic safety standards enforced by OSHA, ASME B30 specifically targets detailed and science-backed standards for equipment such as cranes and hoists.
As mentioned previously, ASME B30 provides specifications and direction to ensure safety while working specifically with slings, cranes, hoists, derricks, hooks, jacks and cableways. ASME B30 comprises 30 detailed volumes to cover proper usage, scope and maintenance of construction equipment. These volumes cover areas such as inspection and testing of cranes, operation of floating derricks, maintenance of wire rope slings, hook load capacity and scope of various rigging hardware. These strict regulations are frequently reviewed and updated by multiple committee experts to ensure that the regulations stay up to date with changing data and discoveries. For this reason, companies that provide such construction equipment must remain up to date on all the most recent versions of these standards.
It is important to choose crane and rigging equipment that meet ASME standards and also abide by OSHA regulations. Suppliers who hold their product quality to these safety and quality expectations ensure that operators remain safe while on the job, the equipment used remains reliable and that projects meet deadlines without issue. For example, here at John Sakach, we focus on several key elements of ASME. These include the alloy steel chain grades for slings as detailed by ASME B30.9 and the standards of wire and synthetic ropes covered in ASME B30.30. Without these standards, avoidable incidents such as injuries or accidents can occur, costing not only the health of employees but also the credibility of the employer. ASME B30 specifications are put in place to avoid such complications by setting high-bar safety, quality and usage standards.
Conclusion
When searching for crane and rigging supplies, it is in the employer’s best interest to invest in equipment sold by distributors whose products abide by ASME B30 standards. Products that abide by these codes are designed to ensure effectiveness, reliability and safety of use. For more information on how our products uphold both OSHA and ASME B30 standards, reach out and contact us today.
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