Information Resources for Cranes

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Comprised of Government agencies, Organizations, Companies, Academic and International bodies, and individuals, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) represents the interests of more than 125,000 companies and 3.5 million professionals.

As the voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system, ANSI empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.

For more information visit ANSI online @ http://www.ansi.org/default.aspx

Occupational Safety & Health Act(OSHA)

OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Moving large, heavy loads is crucial to today's manufacturing and construction industries. Much technology has been developed for these operations, including careful training and extensive workplace precautions. There are significant safety issues to be considered, both for the operators of the diverse "lifting" devices, and for workers in proximity to them. This page is a starting point for finding information about these devices, including elevators and conveyors, and their operation.

Crane, derrick, and hoist safety hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general industry, marine terminals, long-shoring, gear certification, and the construction industry.

For more information visit the OSHA site @ http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/cranehoistsafety/index.html

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering.

The organization is known for setting codes and standards for mechanical devices. The ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations through its ASME Press, holds numerous technical conferences and hundreds of professional development courses each year, and sponsors numerous outreach and educational programs.

For more information visit ASME online @ http://www.asme.org/

Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA)

CMAA is the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., an independent trade association affiliated with the Material Handling Industry. CMAA traces its roots to the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, known as EOCI, which was founded in 1927 by leading crane manufacturers of that time to promote the standardization of cranes as well as uniform quality and performance.

The voluntary association was incorporated as the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. in 1955. Member Companies, representing the industry leaders in the overhead crane industry, serve the United States market from operations based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For more information visit CMAA online @ http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cmaa

American Petroleum Institute (API)

The development of consensus standards is one of API’s oldest and most successful programs. Beginning with its first standards in 1924, API now maintains some 500 standards covering all segments of the oil and gas industry. Today, the API standards program has gone global, through active involvement with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other international bodies.

API is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards developing organization, operating with approved standards development procedures and undergoing regular audits of its processes. API produces standards, recommended practices, specifications, codes and technical publications, reports and studies that cover each segment of the industry. API standards promote the use of safe, interchangeable equipment and operations through the use of proven, sound engineering practices as well as help reduce regulatory compliance costs, and in conjunction with API’s Quality Programs, many of these standards form the basis of API certification programs.

For more information visit API online @ http://www.api.org/