Pearl · ps-lift-ground-support-and-below-grade-hazards

Verify Crane Ground Support and Known Below-Grade Hazards Before Use

Release crane assembly or use only after suitable ground and support are evidenced and known below-grade hazards are disclosed.

Lifting and logistics

What to check before the work begins

Do not release crane assembly or use until the controlling entity has evidenced suitable ground and support, disclosed known below-grade hazards, and reassessed relevant changed conditions.

Do not release crane assembly or use until the controlling entity has evidenced suitable ground and support, disclosed known below-grade hazards, and reassessed relevant changed conditions.
Verify firm, drained, graded ground and support materials against applicable manufacturer requirements.
Disclose known below-grade hazards from available documents and site knowledge to the crane user and operator.
Reassess after weather, excavation, loading, or other relevant site change.

What the sources describe

OSHA 1926.1402 requires support suitable for crane assembly/use, application of manufacturer support requirements, communication of known below-grade hazards, and correction of inadequate conditions; the 2012 interpretation emphasizes continuing controlling-entity responsibility as conditions change. Build Pearls turns those duties into a ground/support evidence request, hazard disclosure, and change-triggered release check. The crane is assembled or used on inadequate support or over an undisclosed known void, tank, utility, or changed ground condition.

Evidence to confirm

Ground-condition and support verification
Construction manager · Before the relevant work begins
The setup area and supporting materials are documented suitable for assembly/use and applicable manufacturer requirements.
Known below-grade hazard disclosure and change reassessment
Construction manager · Before the relevant work begins
Available-document/site-knowledge hazards are communicated and relevant condition changes are reassessed before use.

Conditions to resolve before proceeding

The setup release relies only on a prior lift in the same area.
Available utility or underground-structure information was not shared with the crane user/operator.

When this applies

Installation turnover

Assess each lesson against your project, equipment, and local requirements with the people responsible for the work.

Limitations and context

Applies when: Crane assembly, setup, mobilization release, and use after a relevant condition change
Outside scope: OSHA Subpart CC scope and exclusions apply; state or local rules may be more stringent.
Outside scope: The sources do not themselves require a geotechnical report, matting plan, logistics record, lift-director signoff, or generic stop-work-authority signoff in every case.
Outside scope: Those may be project controls but must not be described as source-established here.
OSHA Subpart CC scope and exclusions apply; state or local rules may be more stringent.
The sources do not themselves require a geotechnical report, matting plan, logistics record, lift-director signoff, or generic stop-work-authority signoff in every case.
Those may be project controls but must not be described as source-established here.
A previously used setup area remains capable of supporting the crane as weather, excavation, underground work, and construction conditions change.

Where the lesson comes from

Sources

Use the original material to understand the evidence, scope, and context behind this Pearl. Suggested project actions are Build Pearls’ interpretation.

29 CFR 1926.1402 — Ground conditions
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Ground conditions; Clause 29 CFR 1926.1402(a)–(e) · Accessed: 2026-08-06
Open source
Clarification of the term controlling entity and responsibility under 1926.1402
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Source date: 2012-10-01 · 2012-10-01 interpretation — controlling-entity responsibility and changing construction conditions · Accessed: 2026-08-06
Open source

Lesson updated 2026-08-06.