Safe Operation of Pipelayers
Boom School: Module 7
Duration: 40 hours
Prerequisite: Previous equipment operating experience.
Day One
Module 1: Fundamentals of Rigging (8 hours)
Chapter 1: Roles and Responsibilities
• Overview of Roles and Responsibilities to the crane end-user, the operator, and the riggers and lift coordinators.
• Learn about due diligence and obligation to refuse unsafe work.
Chapter 2: Wire Rope
• Overview of different types of wire rope slings and hoist ropes.
• Learn about design factors for rigging and dangers of impact loads.
• Learn proper inspection and rejection criteria for all wire ropes used.
Chapter 3: Hardware
• Overview of rigging hardware such as shackles, eye bolts, hooks, etc.
• Learn proper rigging practices for all types of hardware as well as proper inspection and rejection criteria.
• Learn about all types of synthetic slings and chain slings in detail with emphasis on proper use of slings.
• Learn about D/d Ratios and how to safely apply them to rigging.
Chapter 4: Rigging Mechanics
• Properly understand how to use a rigging capacity chart.
• Learn how to properly size rigging for a job. Students are taught how to determine sling angles and tension safely and practically.
• Learn about all the different configurations of rigging and how to properly apply.
• Learn proper hand signals for crane operation.
Chapter 5: Safe Operating Practices
• Overview of safe work practices around power lines with legislation reviewed on safe limits of approach.
• Overview of cold weather effects on cranes and rigging.
• Overview of safe practices when working around a crane such as bad side of the load,etc.
• Review of SMJV Crane Standard and related SOP’s.
Day Two
Module 7: Safe Operation of Side Booms
(4 hours classroom – 4 hours practical)
Chapter 1: Safe Operating Practices
• Overview of ground bearing pressures created by knuckle booms and safe practices for set-up and operation.
• Overview of sideloading booms and improper operation.
• Review of knuckle boom incidents.
Chapter 2: Load Charts
• Learn basic terminology referring to crane load charts for all manufacturers.
• Learn how to properly understand the load charts for different manufacturers.
• Load chart problems and multiple different makes and models for a well-rounded understanding of different manufacturers.
Chapter 3: Safe Planning of Multi Boom Lifts
• Learn how to safely calculate the weight of pipe joints.
• Learn how to properly plan pipe lifts with multiple booms.
• Learn how to safely space booms to account for pipe deflection and capacity.
Chapter 3: Crane Inspection / Pre-operation Checks
• Review of critical components to check prior to operation and how to check them.
• Review of required documentation such as logbooks, current crane certification, etc.
Side Boom Practical Day Two consists of the following:
• Walk-a-round on side boom.
• Conduct thorough pre-use inspection and complete logbook entry.
• Thorough review of all functions and controls as well as proper start-up and shut down procedures.
• Basic introduction into walking, operating, and functions for each student.
• Overview of general maintenance requirements.
Day Three
Morning (Maintenance)
• Review and completion of all pre-work logbooks and FLHA completion
• Perform maintenance on side boom including greasing, checking fluids, load line inspection, and track – roller inspection.
• Perform load line spooling activity, including respooling, end-connection removal and installation on block and boom points, and end connection removal and installation on hoist and boom hoist drum.
• Review operator’s manual for boom and service manual for boom.
Day Three Afternoon into Day Four:
Introduction to operating which requires each student to complete the following:
1. Demonstrate proper start-up.
2. Demonstrate basic functions on boom.
3. Demonstrate ability to travel boom forward and back.
4. Demonstrate ability to travel, boom up/down, hoist up/down, and stop following signals given by instructor.
5. Demonstrate ability to travel thru obstacle course with no load. Operators must be able to always control the side boom and the load block without contacting cones or allowing block to contact boom while travelling.
6. Demonstrate proper shut down procedures.
• Rigging inspections and basic rigging review in field.
• Load chart exercise given to each student.
• Lift plan exercise given to each student to perform. These lift plan scenarios are different for each student to ensure they must create the plan on their own. Each lift scenario will require a load weight calculation, lift calculation, rigging calculations, travel plans, and crew designation for all members to perform the plan.
• Work lift plans: Each student must demonstrate ability to direct the workers to complete his/her individual lift scenario. Each student will have a turn as the lift director, rigger, signal person, and operator until all plans have been worked. Lift plans are with real loads and operators must complete this portion with a load to demonstrate control.
This portion will continue until all students have been able to complete each position on the crews. As per the instructors’ observations, students requiring more time in any of the given positions will be asked to repeat until a satisfactory level of understand or ability is established.
Day Five (8:00AM – 9:00AM)
Review:
• Review all material covered in course and brief question and answer period.
Theory Examination (9:00AM – 11:00AM)
Students must achieve 70% or higher on the theory portion of the exam to pass. This exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions and 20 load chart questions. If students do not achieve the minimum passing grade they may not continue to the practical evaluation. This will be at the instructor’s discretion.
Lunch (11:30AM – 12:00PM)
Practical Examination (12:00PM – 4:00PM)
Each student will have an operator assessment sheet completed detailing their performance in each of the given categories. Students must achieve 70% or higher on the practical portion of the examination to pass.
The following details the practical requirements:
• Operators must successfully demonstrate the following:
o Walk-a-round on side boom with proper logbook entry.
o Proper start-up.
o Complete lift calculation for provided lift scenario.
o Safe rigging practices to load.
o Controlled operation thru obstacle course with load attached.
o Ability to follow signals.
o Safely land load and perform proper shut down procedure.
Students who do not receive a passing grade of 70% may register to test again at an additional cost to them. If students do not pass on the second attempt, the course must be retaken in full to be eligible to test again.