Mentioning man baskets, it has been against OSHA regulations for a number of years to use a man basket unless you can show that to build a scaffold or use a different type of approved device would be more dangerous. Cost does not weight into the decision in their eyes. If you do ever have to use one you need to have the basket certified and tagged by a structural engineer. A test pick to the distance you will be using it must be done first with a 5,000 lb minimum weight pinned under the basket so that it teests all components. The weight must also have the weight stamped on it and be certified as correct by a structural engineer. Then you can remove the weight and proceed with personnel in the basket.
Don't want to really pick on anyone, but I don't want anyone operating with unclear/ incorrect info. The real regulations for manbasket work are here:
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=97
The quoted stuff below is direct from the regs, I've tried to sum up the lawyer speak of it afterwards.
"The use of equipment to hoist employees is prohibited except where the employer demonstrates that the erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of reaching the work area, such as a personnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift, elevating work platform, or scaffold, would be more hazardous, or is not possible because of the project's structural design or worksite conditions. This paragraph does not apply to work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection) of this part."
That means if it is more dangerous to have 4 guys spend 2 weeks building scaffolding to do 20 minutes of work from a crane basket, the crane is a safer way. If it's safer to bring in a 80' Genie platform than use a crane, bring on the Genie. I don't do manbasket work if there is a safer way, but it's a judgement call which does get made- you just need to be sure you're making the right call.
"A qualified person familiar with structural design must design the personnel platform and attachment/suspension system used for hoisting personnel." Notice it doesn't say structural engineer and stamped.
"The weight of the platform and its rated capacity must be conspicuously posted on the platform with a plate or other permanent marking." Yes it is marked.
"The personnel platform must not be loaded in excess of its rated capacity." A 5,000lb test weight would overdo most manbaskets
"At each jobsite, prior to hoisting employees on the personnel platform, and after any repair or modification, the platform and rigging must be proof tested to 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity. The proof test may be done concurrently with the trial lift."
That's the trial lift (which is a lift to the working area not exceding 50% of crane capacity) and proof test in one. The Proof test and weight is 125% of the men and equipment planned for the lift, and that can change ex. 1 man- 2men- 2 men torch tools etc. It's not some single set amount (5,000lbs?).
There's a ton of more info if anyone care's to read it all, and I don't mean to step on your toes old iron, I didn't want someone reading something on the forum, and then claim it for fact.
