A jib crane is a lifting device with a horizontal arm supported by a mast, column or wall that carries a hoist to lift and move loads within a circular work area.
A jib crane is a lifting device made of a horizontal beam, called a boom or jib arm, that is supported at one end by a vertical mast, a building column or a wall, and that carries a hoist and trolley along its length. The arm usually rotates around its support, allowing the hoist to lift and move loads within a circular or semicircular work area. Jib cranes are a simple, compact alternative to larger overhead bridge cranes for repetitive lifting at a single workstation.
Jib cranes are common in machine shops, fabrication and welding bays, loading docks, warehouses, assembly lines and maintenance areas. They are used to load parts into machines, position workpieces, move dies and fixtures, and handle materials that are too heavy or awkward to lift safely by hand. Capacities range from a few hundred pounds for light ergonomic units to several tons for heavy industrial models.
Although jib cranes are smaller than many other cranes, they share the same core hazards: dropped loads, swinging loads, overloading, structural failure and crushing injuries. Safe use depends on correct selection and installation, a clearly marked rated load, regular inspection, proper rigging and trained operators.
A floor-mounted jib crane has its own vertical mast anchored to a concrete foundation. It can usually rotate a full 360 degrees and can be placed almost anywhere in a facility, provided the foundation is designed to resist the overturning forces created by the load and the arm.
Wall-mounted and column-mounted jib cranes attach to an existing building column or wall, usually through brackets or a bolted collar. They typically rotate around 180 to 200 degrees. Because they place loads on the building structure, a qualified engineer should confirm that the column or wall can carry the added forces before installation.
Most jib cranes carry an electric chain hoist, wire rope hoist, air hoist or manual chain hoist on a trolley that runs along the boom. The hoist must have a rated capacity that is equal to or greater than the rated load of the crane, and the trolley must match the boom beam.
The rated load, sometimes called the rated capacity, is the maximum load the crane is designed to lift. The rated load should be clearly marked on the crane so it is visible to the operator, and the hoist should carry its own capacity marking. The weight of rigging hardware, such as slings, shackles, spreader bars and below-the-hook lifting devices, counts toward the total load on the hook.
Operators should never exceed the rated load or use a jib crane for purposes it was not designed for, such as dragging loads sideways, pulling objects free or lifting people. Side pulling can overload the boom, damage the hoist and make the load swing unpredictably.
Regular inspection is essential because wear and damage on hoists, hooks and structural parts can develop gradually. For overhead and gantry cranes, OSHA 1910.179 separates inspections into frequent inspections, performed at intervals from daily to monthly, and periodic inspections, performed at intervals from one to twelve months. Many employers apply a similar structure to jib cranes, following the manufacturer's instructions and applicable ASME B30 consensus standards.
Defects that affect safe operation should be reported immediately, and the crane should be tagged out of service until repaired. Repairs to hoists or electrical systems should be done with the crane locked out according to lockout/tagout procedures.
New, relocated or significantly modified cranes are commonly load tested before being put into service, under the direction of a qualified person. OSHA 1910.179 calls for test loads of no more than 125 percent of the rated load for overhead cranes. A written preventive maintenance program, with records of inspections, tests and repairs, helps catch problems early.
Most jib crane incidents involve the load, not the crane itself. Rigging should be selected for the weight, shape and center of gravity of each load. OSHA 1910.184 sets requirements for slings used in general industry, including inspection and removal of damaged slings from service.
Jib crane operators should be trained on the specific crane, its controls and its limits, and should be authorized by the employer before use. Key practices include:
Dropped or swinging loads are serious struck-by hazards, so steel-toed footwear and a clear work area are standard expectations in jib crane zones.
A metal fabrication shop installed a column-mounted jib crane rated at 1 ton to help welders load steel plates onto a fixture table. Over time, the shop began building larger assemblies, and welders started using the crane to lift parts that weighed close to the limit. One welder added a spreader bar and two chain slings to lift a wide assembly without considering the added weight of the rigging. As the load came off the table, the boom deflected noticeably and the hoist made a grinding noise. The welder lowered the load and reported the issue.
The supervisor removed the crane from service and arranged an inspection by a qualified person, who found a worn hoist brake and cracked paint at a column bracket weld that showed stress. The shop repaired the hoist, had an engineer verify the column, and added a scale to weigh larger assemblies. It also posted a load chart near the crane showing the rated load and the weight of each rigging set, added jib crane rigging to its training program, and updated its pre-shift checklist to include the brake test and structural checks.
Requirements depend on the jurisdiction, the industry and the type of crane. At a minimum, employers should ensure that operators are trained on the specific crane, understand its rated load and controls, and are authorized before operating it.
The operator should check the crane before each shift, and more detailed frequent and periodic inspections should follow the manufacturer's instructions and applicable standards. Cranes in heavy or severe service generally need more frequent inspection.
Yes. Slings, shackles, spreader bars and below-the-hook devices all add weight to the hook, and the total must stay within the crane's and hoist's rated loads.
No. A jib crane places significant bending and twisting forces on its support. A qualified engineer should confirm that the column, wall or foundation can safely carry the loads before installation.
Part of SafetyIQ's EHS glossary: plain-English definitions of workplace health and safety terms.
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