---
title: Special Rules for Articulating / Knuckle Boom Cranes
description: Learn more about the special rules for Articulating/Knuckle Boom Cranes from the leader in crane industry training.
---

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# [Special Rules for Articulating / Knuckle Boom Cranes](https://blog.cicb.com/rules-articulating-knuckle-boom-cranes)

 Written by [Jeff Palacios](https://blog.cicb.com/author/jeff-palacios) | Oct 17, 2019 3:09:00 PM

**SPECIAL RULES FOR ARTICULATING / KNUCKLE BOOM CRANES USED TO DELIVER MATERIAL TO A CONSTRUCTION SITE:**

It is common for material to be delivered to and unloaded on a construction site using a truck on which is mounted an articulating/knuckle-boom crane. Such equipment is covered by the standard when used in construction work.

When such equipment delivers materials by placing them on the ground without arranging them in a particular sequence for hoisting, the activity is not considered construction work and is not covered under the standard. This exclusion applies regardless of the type of material being delivered.

However, [OSHA states that](https://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/small_entity.html), when the delivery equipment is used to transfer the materials onto a structure, the activity is considered construction work. Nevertheless, the activity is excluded from the standard if **all** of the following conditions are met:

- The materials are sheet goods (such as sheet rock, plywood, or sheets of roofing shingles) or packaged goods (such as roofing shingles, bags of cement, or rolls of roofing felt).
- The equipment uses a fork/cradle at the end of the boom to deliver the materials.
- The equipment is not used to hold, support, or stabilize the material to facilitate a construction activity, such as holding material in place while it is attached to the structure.
- The equipment is equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload prevention device.

This exception, as noted, is limited to delivery of sheet goods and packaged goods. It does **not** apply to delivery of prefabricated components or building sections, such as roof trusses and wall panels. It also does **not** apply to delivery of structural steel members or components of a systems-engineered metal building.

Learn this and a lot more in our [NCCCO Articulating Boom Crane Operator](https://www.cicb.com/classes/cco-articulating-boom-crane-training) Preparatory Training program.

#### About The Author

Jeff Palacios is a Senior Instructor and Inspector at CICB. After having attended CICB classes for 4 years, he decided to use his past experiences along with his teaching and coaching background to educate and inform our students. Jeff graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a degree in Kinesiology and has over 18 years of experience in HSE and rigging operations. His goal is to create a safer working environment and culture by making sure all his students have all the necessary and critical information to make important decisions on the job site.

 

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