This Section specifies the requirements for operational design of cranes (see Clause 1.1).
11.2 CONTROL CABIN
11.2.1 Location of control cabin
The control cabin should be located remote from the crane-supply electric conductors.
11.2.2 Space for operator
The space, excluding that occupied by equipment, furniture, and the like, provided as the operational position for the crane or hoist operator, shall be not less than 0.5 m2 in area.
Where provision is made for a passenger, e.g., trainee operator, the space to accommodate the passenger or passengers shall be additional.
Cabin interiors shall be designed so that, when seated, operators are able to conveniently reach all the controls required for normal operation of the crane without subjecting any parts of their bodies to sustained postural stress and without being impeded by fixtures within the cabin.
11.2.3 Seating of operator
The seating for the crane or hoist operator, where required, shall be designed and installed so that the operator’s body is not subject to undue vibration during operation, which would have adverse effect on the body or would otherwise affect the ability to safely and efficiently control the crane.
The seat shall be capable of supporting the operator in comfort for a period of time equivalent to a workshift and shall permit changes of posture while still providing support particularly in the buttocks and lumbar region of the back.
The seat shall be adjustable for the height of the cushion above the floor or pedal controls, and the squab (backrest) shall be adjustable for rake.
Where pedal controls are provided for single foot operation, a footrest shall be provided to support the free foot.
11.2.4 Controls and indicators
Controls shall be located and arranged for—
(a) optimum consistency between the natural directional movement of the controller and the resulting movement of the load, crane, or part of the crane; and
(b) convenient operation of controls and groups of controls.
Indicators, gauges, meters and warning devices shall be of suitable design and adequate size and shall be located so that the operators can correctly interpret the information they are intended to convey without moving from their normal operating position.
Emergency stop controls shall be prominent from all other controls and shall be operable by being hit by any part of the hand or arm.
11.2.5 Visibility from the cabin
Where the crane or hoist operator is intended to view the working area, the cabin of the crane shall be designed to provide the operator, while in the normal operating position, with an uninterrupted view of the working area which the crane is capable of serving and the load handled by the crane.
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Windows shall be glazed in accordance with AS 1288 and AS/NZS 2080 and shall be arranged to minimize glare and to enable convenient and safe access for cleaning. Special vision panels, where provided, shall be suitably guarded, for example, where situated at floor level.
Where the crane is exposed to inclement weather, windscreen wipers, demisters and similar equipment, which adequately maintain compliance with this Clause under all weather conditions, shall be provided.
Where the crane is exposed to sunlight, cabin windows may be of tinted glass. However, if tinted glass is used, it shall be only lightly tinted so that the vision of the crane operator is not impaired during night operation.
Where mirrors are provided to enable extended area of vision, the mirrors shall have a flat surface.
11.2.6 Ventilation
Each control cabin shall be either naturally ventilated or mechanically ventilated. Where the cabin is naturally ventilated, windows or vents in at least two sides of the cabin shall be capable of being operated.
Where the crane operates in a toxic, irritant or obnoxious atmosphere, the control cabin shall be mechanically ventilated. The control cabin should be kept at positive air pressure of not less than 50 Pa above the outside air pressure. Where the atmosphere contains a high concentration of dust or fibrous particles, the air supply shall be effectively filtered. Where the atmosphere contains gas or vapour, the air supply shall be treated by an adsorption or other appropriate device.
Where airconditioning is provided for the control cabin, the method of function and source of supply shall not affect or detract from the correct operation of the crane.
11.2.7 Lighting
Control cabin lighting shall comply with AS 1680. The local illumination level at the crane operator controls shall be not less than 300 lx.
Instrument illumination shall be controlled separately from the cabin lighting.
Glare from external, natural or artificial lighting sources shall be prevented by provision of suitably placed visors on or in the cabin or by the use of tinted glass (see Clause 11.2.5).
The interior of the cabin shall be finished so as to minimise direct and reflected glare.
11.2.8 Thermal environment
Individual heaters, where provided, shall be permanently fixed, totally enclosed, non-luminous and shall be protected from accidental mechanical damage or from causing injury from accidental contact.
Where the control cabin is subjected to intense heat from a manufacturing process or other source, the cabin shall be protected from the effects of such heat by means of guards, baffles, thermal insulation or other appropriate means.
11.2.9 Noise exposure criteria
The maximum allowable exposure to noise in cranes shall not exceed the level specified in the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission’s National Standard and National Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work.
11.2.10 Communication
Consideration shall be given to the installation of a communications system.
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Where radio communication is used, the transmitting frequencies of the radio equipment shall be selected to prevent interference to or from other radio equipment being used in the vicinity of the crane.
11.2.11 Fire extinguisher
Where the crane operator does not have a ready means of exit from the control cabin at all positions of operation of the crane, a portable fire extinguisher of not less than 2 kg of the dry chemical powder type or carbon dioxide type or vaporizing-type complying with AS/NZS 1841.5 or AS/NZS 1841.6 or AS/NZS 1841.7, respectively, shall be provided in a prominent position.
11.2.12 Emergency entry to control cabin
Where the size of the control cabin is such that the crane operator, if incapacitated when operating the crane, could fall and prevent the cabin door from being opened from outside, alternative means of entry, e.g., push-in windows or removable panels, shall be provided.
11.2.13 Emergency egress from control cabin
In cases where there is no permanent access to the cabin in all positions of the crane, a means of alternative egress shall be provided to allow for escape from the cabin in the event of the breakdown of the crane or other urgent demands for escape.
The systems listed in Table 11.2.13 may be suitable when the floor area swept by the crane has at least 25% free of machines or goods, and when the goods being handled do not involve dangerous materials or processes, e.g., hot >100°C, toxic or corrosive materials.
Where emergency egress is provided by either a fall arrest system or a control descent device, an anchorage point commensurate with the type of system specified in AS/NZS 1891.4 shall be fitted to an appropriate place in the cabin. Where the emergency egress incorporates a fall arrest system, it shall comply with the appropriate part of AS/NZS 1891.
NOTE: Guidance on the selection, use and maintenance of fall arrest systems is given in AS/NZS 1891.4.
TABLE 11.2.13 EMERGENCY EGRESS
Height above workstation Device 1 to 10 m Telescopic/folding ladder 3 to 15 m Emergency lowering device
Any height Fixed means of access that may require a fall arrest system to protect the operator from fall over unprotected edges
11.3 PENDENT CONTROL STATIONS AND PENDENT CORDS 11.3.1 Pathway for crane operator
Where a crane is operated by a pendent control station or a pendent cord, an unobstructed pathway extending the complete length of the crane travel shall be provided for the crane operator.
11.3.2 Operating level of controls
The controlling element shall be capable of being suspended at a height between 1.0 m and 1.2 m above ground or floor level when in use. Where the controlling element can be moved off from its operating position, it shall be capable of being reached in a retracted position from ground or floor level.
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Where dual controls, for example, cabin and pendent controls are provided, a positive and fail-safe interlock shall be incorporated so that the alternative control can be operated only when the controlling element is fully retracted.
11.4 OPERATOR CONTROLS AND INDICATORS 11.4.1 Operation of controls
The maximum actuating force required to operate controls shall be not greater than the following:
(a) Finger-operated lever... 10 N (either direction).
(b) Pushbutton ... 25 N.
(c) Hand-operated lever (console mounted) ... 50 N (either direction).
(d) Hand-operated lever (floor mounted)... 400 N.
(e) Pedal ... 600 N.
(f) Steering wheel—
(i) manually powered ... 250 N.
(ii) power-assisted—
(A) power assistance operating ... 250 N.
(B) power assistance not operating... 600 N.
11.4.2 Interlocking of controls
Controls shall be interlocked in a positive and fail-safe manner to prevent inadvertent or deliberate simultaneous engagement or disengagement of controls in any sequence or combination that could result in loss of control of the crane motion.
Where a motion can be either manually operated or power operated, interlocking shall be provided to prevent simultaneous engagement of both manual and power operation.
11.4.3 Controls and indicators for ancillaries
Control switches and indicators for lighting, ventilation, heating and similar ancillaries shall be positive in operation, and shall be mounted on a control panel located within convenient access of the operator from the normal operating position.
11.4.4 Marking of operator controls
All operator controls shall be suitably marked to indicate their function or operation or both. Such marking shall be either in English based alphanumerics or graphically as specified in ISO 7296, except pendent controls may not use graphical symbols.
11.5 WARNING DEVICES
A visual or audible warning system shall be provided where the crane operator does not have full view of all crane wheels where the wheels operate in an area that is normally accessible to personnel. The warning device shall be able to be controlled by the crane operator and shall also activate automatically when the crane is in motion.
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