City of Hoboken, NJ Chapter 87 Crane Regulations

[Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hoboken 11-2-2016 by Ord. No. Z-450. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 87-1 Definitions.

The terms used in this chapter shall have the same meanings as defined under N.J.S.A. 45:26-2.

§ 87-2 General requirements.

A. Five days before any crane operator, contractor or other person or company initiates the use of, or begins to erect, a crane within the City a permit shall be obtained from the City's Building Department. In emergent situations the Construction Official may waive the five-day advanced notice requirement in his or her own discretion if the operator meets the balance of the requirements of this chapter.

B. The crane operator is required to maintain a copy of the City permit at the work site and available for inspection as long as the crane is on site.

C. The following documents must be provided to the City in order to be granted a permit:

(1) New Jersey crane license.

(2) Current Medical Examiner's card.

(3) A copy of the most recent and current proof of inspection (crane owner).

(4) A copy of the crane OSHA/ASME certification test inspection checklist.

(5) A copy of the crane operator's NCCCO certification.

(6) Material safety data sheet.

(7) Insurance required as follows:

(a) Bodily injury:

[1] For any one person in the amount of $500,000.

[2] For any occurrence in the amount of $1,000,000.

(b) Property damage:

[1] For any one accident in the amount of $500,000.

[2] For any aggregate of occurrences in the amount of $2,000,000.

(8) Upon receipt of a properly completed application and compliance with the requirements of this section, the Building Department shall issue or deny the requested permit within five business days. If the application is denied, the reasons for the denial are furnished to the applicant in writing.

§ 87-3 Fee schedule.

The permit fee for each crane shall be $1,000. Each permit is valid for 60 days and may be extended and/or renewed, provided that compliance with the requirements of this chapter continues to be met. The fee for an extended or renewal permit is $500.

§ 87-4 Notification of accident or safety issue required.

The crane operator shall immediately notify the City, the owner of the building, and all tenants residing therein of every accident causing personal injury or damage to property involving a construction crane covered by this chapter and shall afford the City official every facility for investigating such accident. When an accident involves the failure, breakage, damage or destruction of any part of the apparatus, it shall be unlawful to use such device until after an examination by the City is made and approval of the equipment for continued use is granted. It shall be the duty of the City to make a prompt examination into the cause of the accident and to enter a full and complete report thereof in the records of the City. Such records shall be open for public inspection during regular business hours.

§ 87-5 Safety requirements.

A. All crane equipment shall be kept in safe working condition at all times by the owner and licensee.

B. If any safety or operational aid used or required to be used in connection with the operation of a crane is not working properly, the person operating such crane shall immediately shut down the crane until such time that the required safety or operational aid is repaired or replaced and the crane is restored to properly working order.

C. Any and all safety requirements promulgated by the Board, Commissioner, or City must be adhered to at all times.

D. Every crane shall be thoroughly inspected by a competent designated employee or authorized agent of the owner or lessee of such mobile crane, tower crane or derrick at intervals not exceeding one month. Such inspection shall include but not be limited to all blocks, shackles, sheaves, wire rope, connectors, and various devices on the master boom, controls and breaking mechanisms.

E. A written, dated and signed record of each such inspection shall be completed by the competent designated employee or authorized agent who made the inspection. The most recent record of such inspection shall be posted inside the cab of such crane and shall be filed with the City. Attached to such record of inspection shall be a written designation naming the competent employee or authorized agent. Such attached designation shall be signed by the owner or lessee of such.

F. Every crane shall be inspected before being erected or operated for the first time on any job.

G. Adjustments and repairs to cranes shall be made only by competent designated persons.

§ 87-6 Administration; enforcement.

A. The City may issue rules and regulations for the administration of the provisions of this chapter.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Building Department.

§ 87-7 Unsafe cranes.

A. Any crane which is or hereafter becomes unsafe or otherwise dangerous to human life or public safety, or which involves inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed in unsafe condition by the City Engineer. All unsafe cranes shall be taken down or removed or made safe, as the City Engineer deems necessary and as provided for in this section.

B. The City Engineer shall cause a report to be filed on an unsafe crane. The report shall state the nature of the unsafe condition.

C. If an unsafe condition is found, the City Engineer or other City representative shall serve on the owner, agent or person in control of the crane a written notice that describes the condition being unsafe and specifies the required repairs or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition. Such notice shall require the person thus notified to declare immediately to the City Engineer exceptions or rejection of the terms of the order.

D. Such order shall be deemed properly served if a copy is delivered to the owner personally, or sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with the return receipt requested. Furthermore, service may be effectuated by posting the notice in a conspicuous place in or on the structure affected by such notice. Moreover, service of such notice in the foregoing manner upon the owner's agent or upon the person responsible for the crane shall constitute service of notice upon the owner.

E. The equipment determined to be unsafe by the City Engineer may be restored to a safe condition. To the extent that repairs, alterations or additions are made during restoration of such equipment, such repairs, alterations or additions shall comply with all applicable codes.

F. Any person who refuses or neglects to comply with the requirements of an order to abate an unsafe condition shall be subject to a fine or imprisonment in accordance with § 87-8.

§ 87-8 Violations and penalties.

Any person who operates a crane without meeting the requirements of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be subject to a fine of up to $2,000, a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, imprisonment in the county jail or in any place provided by the municipality for the detention of prisoners for a period up to 90 days, or any combination of fine, imprisonment, and/or community service.