The loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of rated capacity for that radius and configuration, according to Legal Information Institute.
Key takeaways for what load limit to check before people are hoisted on a platform
- Check the 50 percent line: The total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Run the trial lift: A trial lift with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight must be made from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the platform is to be hoisted and positioned, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Verify platform strength: The personnel platform itself (excluding the guardrail system and personal fall arrest system anchorages), must be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least five times the maximum intended load, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Confirm California limits: The total weight of the loaded personnel platform and related rigging shall not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane or derrick, except during proof testing, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
What load limit to check before people get on
The primary load limit to verify is 50 percent of the rated capacity for the specific radius and configuration of the equipment, according to Legal Information Institute. This limit applies to the total weight of the loaded personnel platform, except during proof testing, according to Legal Information Institute. Before employees enter the platform, a trial lift with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight must be made from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the platform is to be hoisted and positioned, according to Legal Information Institute. This trial lift must be performed immediately prior to each shift in which personnel will be hoisted, according to Legal Information Institute. You must confirm the platform's load does not exceed half the rated capacity for the current radius and configuration before anyone steps on. You must also complete the trial lift to the specific hoisting and positioning locations for that shift. The trial lift requires the unoccupied platform to be loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight. This process starts from ground level or the location where employees will enter the platform. It must reach each location where the platform will be hoisted and positioned.
The federal 50 percent line and the trial lift
This limit applies except during proof testing. The trial lift must be performed immediately prior to each shift in which personnel will be hoisted, according to Legal Information Institute.
The personnel platform itself, excluding the guardrail system and personal fall arrest system anchorages, must be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least five times the maximum intended load, according to Legal Information Institute. This strength requirement is separate from the 50 percent load limit for the crane's rated capacity. The platform's structural integrity must meet the five-times standard regardless of the current lift configuration.
When checking the load limit for a specific lift, identify the radius and configuration of the equipment. The 50 percent figure is calculated from the rated capacity at that specific radius and configuration, not a static number for the entire crane. If the crane operates at a different radius, the rated capacity changes, and the 50 percent limit changes with it. This weight must be loaded onto the unoccupied platform before the trial lift begins.
California's 50 percent line and the 125 percent proof test
The California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5004. Crane or Derrick Suspended Personnel Platforms sets a strict weight ceiling for the platform and its rigging. The total weight of the loaded personnel platform and related rigging shall not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane or derrick, except during proof testing, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. This 50 percent limit applies to the combined weight of the platform, the rigging, and any load carried, measured against the crane's rated capacity at the specific radius and configuration used for the lift. The exception for proof testing is explicit in the text, meaning the 50 percent cap does not apply while the platform is undergoing the required strength verification described below.
Before employees are placed on the platform, the California rule requires a specific sequence of checks and tests. A trial lift with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated lift weight shall be made from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the personnel platform is to be hoisted and positioned, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. This trial lift must be performed immediately prior to placing personnel on the platform, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. The platform must be loaded to at least the anticipated lift weight, not just its own empty weight, to simulate the actual conditions of the work.
Washington's trial lift before people are lifted
The Washington State Legislature requires the employer to perform a trial lift with the personnel platform on each shift before lifting personnel, according to Washington State Legislature. This requirement appears in WAC 296-155-55115, which mandates the trial lift to check specific conditions before employees board the platform. The trial lift must be conducted with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated lift-weight from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, according to Washington State Legislature. The employer must make this trial lift to each location at which the platform is to be hoisted and positioned, ensuring the crane and platform configuration are verified for every intended stop, according to Washington State Legislature.
If the competent person finds any condition during the trial lift and subsequent inspections that fails to meet a requirement of this standard or otherwise creates a safety hazard, the employer must correct that condition before hoisting personnel, according to Washington State Legislature. This fix-first rule means no personnel are lifted until the identified hazard is resolved and the platform meets the standard's requirements, according to Washington State Legislature.
The trial lift is the primary control mechanism described in WAC 296-155-55115 for verifying platform safety before people are lifted.
Washington trial lift line from the cited page
| Publisher | Trial Lift Requirement | Source Page |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State Legislature | Employer must perform a trial lift with the personnel platform on each shift before lifting personnel | WAC 296-155-55115: |
The Legal Information Institute page states that the total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, with an exception during proof testing, according to Legal Information Institute. The GovRegs page repeats the federal rule, stating the total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, except during proof testing, according to GovRegs. GovRegs is a public copy of the federal rule and is not a state rule. You should verify which of these sources applies to your specific jurisdiction and equipment configuration before proceeding.
Illustrative example of a platform load
Picture a lift where the rated capacity at the working radius is 16. The loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of that rated capacity, so the ceiling in this picture is 8. The weight covers the platform and the load it carries. During proof testing that 50 percent ceiling does not apply. For a proof test in this picture, a platform rated capacity of 4 is tested at 125 percent, which equals 5, and the test load is held for five minutes with the load evenly distributed. The trial lift still uses an unoccupied platform loaded at least to the anticipated lift weight and runs from ground level to each hoisting location before anyone boards. These figures are illustrative.
Check the platform before the first lift
Record the load limit and trial lift status on your site record before the first lift. The total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment, except during proof testing, according to Legal Information Institute. Use the Construction Daily Log Checklist for Supervisors so the same shift note shows the load check and the trial lift.
| Record | Note |
|---|---|
| Example | Rated capacity for this radius and whether the trial lift is done |
Related guides
Questions about hoisting people on a platform
What does the 50 percent limit apply to?
The limit applies to the total weight of the loaded personnel platform relative to the rated capacity for the specific radius and configuration of the equipment. According to Legal Information Institute, the total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment. This calculation excludes the period during proof testing.
What is the trial lift?
A trial lift involves moving the unoccupied platform to each location where it will be hoisted and positioned. According to Legal Information Institute, a trial lift with the unoccupied personnel platform loaded at least to the anticipated liftweight must be made from ground level, or any other location where employees will enter the platform, to each location at which the platform is to be hoisted and positioned.
What does California's proof test use?
California requires a proof test at 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity. According to California Department of Industrial Relations, the platform and rigging shall be proof tested to 125 percent of the platform's rated capacity by holding it in a suspended position for five minutes with the test load evenly distributed on the platform. This test occurs at each job site prior to hoisting employees and after any repair or modification.
What does Washington require before the lift?
Washington requires a trial lift on each shift before lifting personnel. According to Washington State Legislature, the employer must perform a trial lift with the personnel platform, on each shift before lifting personnel.
What should you write down today?
Record the load limit from the page that covers the lift and whether the trial lift was completed. Write the load limit and trial lift completion status on today's site record. According to GovRegs, the total weight of the loaded personnel platform must not exceed 50 percent of the rated capacity for the radius and configuration of the equipment. GovRegs repeats the federal hoisting page and is not a state rule.