INTER PLANT STANDARD IN STEEL INDUSTRY

IPSS: 2-02-007-18
GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY IN E O T
(First Revision)
CRANES
IPSS
Corresponding IS does not exist Formerly:
IPSS: 2-02-007-01

0. FOREWORD
0.1 Interplant standardization in steel industry has been initiated under the aegis
of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) and the Steel Authority of India
Limited (SAIL). This Interplant Standards is prepared by the Standard
Committee on E O T Cranes, IPSS 2:2 with the active participation of the
representatives of all the steel plants and leading consultants and was
adopted in June, 2001. Thereafter, standard was first revised by the
Standard Committee in March, 2018.
0.2 Interplant standardization for steel industry primarily aims at achieving
rationalization and unification of parts and assemblies used in steel plant
equipment and accessories and provides guidance in indenting stores for
existing equipment by individual steel plants. It is not desirable to make
deviations in technical requirements.
0.3 E O T Cranes in steel plants are used for handling hot metal, liquid steel, red
hot ingots and slabs etc. Any failure or malfunctioning of the crane,
therefore, results in serious accident causing loss of life and big breakdowns.
As there is no Indian Standard on safety of E O T Cranes, need for making
as Inter Plant Standard on this subject is considered of utmost importance.
This standard deals with safety aspects related to E O T Cranes.
0.4 Many of the safety aspects relating to E O T Cranes have already been
covered in the following Interplant standards.
a. IPSS: 2-02-001-18 : Design parameters for E O T Cranes.
b. IPSS: 2-02-002-18 : Acceptance norms for E O T Cranes.
c. IPSS: 2-02-003-18 : General code of practice for design parameters for
E O T Cranes (mechanical aspects).
d. IPSS: 2-02-004-18 : Code of practice for design parameters for E O T
Cranes (electrical aspects).
e. IPSS: 2-02-005-18 : Code of practice for selection of electric cables for
use on E O T Cranes.

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 IPSS 2-02-007-18
f. IPSS: 2-02-006-18: Code of practice for laying of electric cables on E O
T Cranes.
0.5 Various Indian and IPSS Standards referred to in this standard, have
undergone revision over a period of time. This revision has been carried out
to incorporate these changes.

1. SCOPE
This interplant standard covers the safety in the design layout and general
safety arrangements required in E O T Cranes for use in steel industries.
2. SAFETY FOR HOIST MECHANISM
For cranes handling hot metals, there shall be two motors. Each input line shall
have two brakes, each independently capable of holding the full load. Adequate
provision shall be inbuilt in design to arrest the fall of the load in case of failure
of any component like gearing, output and rope drum shafts. Hydraulically
operated emergency disc brake shall be provided on rope drum flanges of main
hoist in Ladle crane.

3. SAFETY RELATING TO CRANE STRUCTURE

3.1 Safety access for maintenance and removal of all mechanical and electrical
parts shall be ensured without any additional scaffolding or necessitating
dismantling of other equipment or structures.
3.2 Safe access to the crane bridge and trolley from the LT walkway platform
shall be provided. Access to the cabin from the bridge girder platform shall
be via a staircase. Minimum width of staircase shall be 600mm and
inclination to the horizontal shall not be more than 60 Degree. Staircase shall
be provided in place of monkey ladder at inside landing from end carriage to
platform.
3.3 Full length chequered plate platforms with hand railing wherever possible
shall be provided on the top for both bridge girders in order to have easy
access to the operator’s cabin, long travel drive, current collectors, trolleys
etc. The width of the chequered plate covering shall not be less than 500
mm.
In case of lattice construction, at least 500 mm wide full length chequered
plate platforms shall be provided at the bottom chord level of all the bridge
girders for periodical checking of all rivets, bolts, lamps etc. Full length toe
boards shall be provided along with the chequered plate platforms.
3.4 All opening in the foot walks flooring for access to the bottom chord platform
and inspection platforms shall be provided with full length strong hinged
covers. These covers in the maximum open position shall be inclined at an
angle slightly more than 90 deg. To the horizontal. They shall be so located
that they do not foul in their open position with any moving part of the crane.
Minimum size of the opening shall be 600 mm x 600 mm.
3.5 (a) When down shop leads are located below the runway rails, a guard shall
be provided on the crane to prevent the hoist ropes from coming in contact

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with down shop leads. When the crane cabin is located by the side of the
down shop leads, it shall be protected by providing suitable guards/ wire
mesh structure for safety of the crane operator or cabin people.
(b) Suitable wire mesh guard shall be provided on down shop leads
inspection cage to protect the maintenance personnel.
3.6 Operator cabin mounting shall be sufficiently strong with gusset plate design
for ensuring operator cabin to be vibration free. Enclosed cabins shall have a
water light plate roof slopping to the rear and provided with sliding or hinged
windows on three sides and door. The window shall be provided with
toughened safety glass of minimum 6 mm thickness and installed from inside
so that it can be changed easily. The glasses shall be installed in such a way
that the crane operator has sufficient view for safe operation of the crane.
3.7 Crane cabin subjected to heat from below shall have 5 mm thick bright steel
plate shield suitable bolted 150 mm below the bottom of the double walled
construction in case of air conditioned cabins.
3.8 Operator’s cabin shall be provided with suitable warning signal device and
shall be so installed that it is easily accessible by the operator and
maintenance personnel.
3.9 Adequate means, independent of controlled brakes shall be provided for
securely anchoring the crane to the gantry when not in use for locking of
outdoor cranes.
3.10 Minimum head room of 2100 mm shall be provided on all walkways, trolley
platform and inside the operator’s cabin.
3.11 If glasses are provided at the bottom in the cabin for better visibility, it is
essential to fix removable steel grating over the glasses to support the
weight of the personnel.
3.12 Bridge drive floating shafts shall be provided with platforms below it.
3.13 End carriage shall have a minimum clearance of 450 mm for walking when
trolley is in extreme end position, provided the hook approach is not critical.
3.14 The painted letters and figures indicating the safe working load of the crane
and other data of the crane shall always be prominently displayed.
3.15 Proper type of fire extinguisher shall be provided in the crane operator’s
cabin as well as in trolley and E-room.
3.16 Coupling guards on the drives should be provided.
3.17 Insulating rubber mats shall be provided on the cabin floor and in front of all
electrical panels.
3.18 Proximity Sensing / Anti-Collision Devices shall be fitted to the bridge of the
crane to give warning of the approach to danger, or another crane.

4. SAFETY RELATING TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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4.1 All the electrical cables shall be so laid that they can be easily inspected or
maintained.
4.2 A space of 500 mm in front of the panel and resistors shall be provided.
Similar space shall be provided at the back in case of panels requiring
maintenance from the back. A space of 500 mm in front and back of the
panels shall be provided for d c cranes.
4.3 The arrangements for disconnecting the cranes from the main power supply
shall be provided by means of either an isolator on the bridge or a switch
lockable in open position. Warning indication shall also be provided on 4
sides of cranes when crane is under maintenance.
4.4 Safety switches shall be provided on four corners of the crane which can be
operated from either gantry or bridge platform. In addition, one such switch
shall be provided in the cabin also.
4.5 Indication lamps (red and green) shall be provided in the operator’s cabin.
4.6 Incoming 415V ac terminal fixed in crane cabin shall be properly insulated
and shrouded for electrical safety.
4.7 Emergency stop and reset device shall be provided
4.8 Electrically operated audio warning device, audible at minimum distance of
30 m

5. LIGHTING
5.1 Cabin shall be provided with light fitting in such a way that operator can see
properly the controls and the inside of the cabin but the light shall not
obstruct the vision of the man below giving signal to the operator.
5.2 The crane shall be provided with sufficient lights, hung from the girder of the
crane so that the working area under the crane is properly illuminated.
5.3 There shall be more than two plug points of 24 V ac fitted on the girder of the
crane to provide hand lamp for maintenance jobs.

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