2.5.5

1. 2.5.5 Coordinating Loading and Unloading of ASME Tanks Using Contractor-Operated Construction Cranes Coordination of ASME tank loading and unloading operations is essential to avoid injury or damage to equipment. • In this module you will learn to identify: • Safety factors & pre-job planning procedures for tank loading and unloading operations • Factors to consider when locating ASME tanks and lifting equipment • Procedures for coordinating large crane loading and unloading operations

2. Loading Safety Factors and Pre-Job Planning • Pre-Job Planning • Before the tank is lifted, transported, and placed in its new location, pre-job planning that includes everyone who will be involved should establish the following objectives: • Develop a detailed tank loading or unloading plan along with a description for each person’s responsibilities in the operation. • Equipment operators must be assigned and the means used for communicating and coordinating each step of the job established. • The locations of trucks and other equipment used should ensure that crane lifts, swings, and other movements are smooth and clear of people and property.

3. Pre-Job Planning • Truck drivers and equipment operating personnel should do a “walk through” before trucks or cranes are brought onto the site. Special care should be given to ensuring proper support for vehicles, avoiding buried structures and overhangs, and slopes or terrain hazards that could lead to truck or crane overturn. • Safety guidelines should be reviewed with emphasis allowing no one beneath a tank during lifts, swings, or positioning. • Any special tank handling requirements should be outlined with clear instructions for each person who has a responsibility in performing a related task Loading Safety Factors and Pre-Job Planning

4. Locating ASME Tanks and Lifting Equipment • Verify the proper location and condition of the tank foundations. The location must be chosen based not only on minimum separation distance code requirements, but also with the operating characteristics of the tank handling equipment in mind. • Ensure that tank handling equipment can be properly located to set the tank within safe operating limits of the equipment used.

5. Locating ASME Tanks and Lifting Equipment Figure 1. Locating Crane & Truck to Set a Bulk Storage Tank

6. Coordinating Crane Lifting & Swing Operations • Fundamental principles of crane operations: • A crane is basically a large lever. Considering the basic forces at work on lever-type devices, the operator should understand the following: • A crane’s maximum lifting capacity is available when the boom (the lever) is as close to vertical as possible. • The crane’s most stable lifting configuration is when the boom is as close to vertical as possible, and outriggers distribute the weight of the crane and its load over a wide area.

7. Coordinating Crane Lifting & Swing Operations • Fundamental principles of crane operations: • As the crane’s boom is lowered from vertical, its lifting capacity is reduced. • As the boom angle is moved toward horizontal, it produces a center-of-gravity shift away from the center of the crane’s undercarriage (vehicle chassis on self-propelled cranes) toward the side of the vehicle where the boom is pointed. If the crane’s counterweights and the load-bearing area for the crane (outriggers and soil) do not exceed the force imposed by the load, the instability may result in crane overturn or collapse.

8. Coordinating Crane Lifting & Swing Operations • Fundamental principles of crane operations: • For safety and stability, cranes must be leveled and properly supported before any rigging, lifting, or load positioning is started. • The crane’s lifting and operating characteristics are also affected by the mechanical condition of all its components. • Watch for overhead electric wires, overhead utilities and any other overhead hazard.

9. Coordinating Crane Lifting & Swing Operations Note: The preparation, inspection, and operation of industrial/ construction-type cranes are not the responsibility of propane personnel. These functions are solely the responsibility of the crane company operating personnel. The information given above is provided to help propane personnel understand the nature of large crane operations, to give some indication of what crane operations involve, and provide some of the limitations that apply. Propane personnel may use this information to determine if crane operations provided by others are proper for handling ASME bulk storage tanks.

10. Tank Loading and Transport Operations • When bulk storage tanks are loaded for transportation, the following tasks are required: • Preparing the tank for transportation • Lifting the tank onto the trailer • Properly positioning the tank for transportation • Securing the tank to the trailer • Determining placard and shipping paper requirements

11. Tank Loading and Transport Operations Figure 2. Lifting the Tank onto the Trailer

12. Tank Loading and Transport Operations Proper positioning of tanks that do not have steel saddles requires that the tank be slightly rotated (Figure 3), or fully supported above the trailer deck by the use of adequate blocking along the full length of the tank. The weight of the tank should not rest on valve couplings. If the tank were transported with the valve couplings down, the weight of the tank and the force exerted by bumps and any holes in the road surface will be concentrated on the valve couplings. As a result, a crack in the coupling weld could occur

13. Tank Loading and Transport Operations Figure 3. Tank Rotated to Protect Valve Couplings During Transportation Before unhooking from the crane, personnel should secure the tank to the trailer.

14. Tank Loading and Transport Operations For any ASME tank, a minimum of 2 sets of chains and binders or cargo straps that have adequate load ratings should be used with an additional set placed every 10 feet along the length of the tank and trailer. Figure 4. Securing the Tank Before Unhooking from the Crane

15. Tank Loading and Transport Operations Figure 5. Bulk Tank Transportation Requirements

16. Tank Loading and Transport Operations • Final Check Before Transporting: • Placarding? • Shipping Papers? • Clearances? • Load Secured? Figure 6. Final Check Before Transporting Bulk Storage Tank (Tank shown does not contain propane.)

17. Tank Loading and Transport Operations Be sure that you have read and understand any company policies or procedures that apply to bulk storage tank transportation and installation operations. Always follow any applicable company procedures regarding tank evacuation, purging or preparation for loading, transportation, or unloading operations.

18. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations Before a bulk storage tank is unloaded and installed, crane operators and propane company person should complete the pre-job planning steps outlined in the first section of this module. Figure 7. Removing Load Binders

19. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations The purpose of the insulating material is to protect the steel tank or steel saddle base from the corrosive effects of contact with concrete. Figure 8. Fitting the Tank and Concrete Insulating Material to the Saddles

20. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations All personnel must keep away from the swing path and never stand or walk under the suspended tank. Figure 9. Swiveling the Tank With A Guide Rope Figure 10. “Squaring-Up” the Tank

21. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations Good communication between the crane operator and propane company personnel is essential during this operation. Figure 11. Rotating the Tank for Proper Valve Orientation

22. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations When the insulating material is in place the tank is slowly lowered into the saddles in its final installed position. Figure 12. Placing the Insulating Material

23. Tank Unloading & Installation Operations OHSA regulations on slings & sling inspection are found in 29 CFR § 1910.184. Technical Tip  It is a good practice to carry a broom on trucks used to transport ASME tanks.

24. Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module… • Complete the Review on page 11. • See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on page 12.