California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 13 - Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment
Article 98 - Operating Rules
Section 4991.1 - Ground Conditions

(a) Definitions.

(b) The equipment shall not be assembled or used unless ground conditions are firm, drained, and graded to a sufficient extent so that, in conjunction (if necessary) with the use of supporting materials, the equipment manufacturer's specifications for adequate support and degree of level of the equipment are met. The requirement for the ground to be drained does not apply to marshes/wetlands.

(c) The controlling entity shall:

(d) If there is no controlling entity for the project, the requirement in subsection (c)(1) shall be met by the employer that has authority at the site to make or arrange for ground preparations needed to meet subsection (b).

(e) If the A/D director or the operator determines that ground conditions do not meet the requirements in subsection (b), that person's employer shall have a discussion with the controlling entity regarding the ground preparations that are needed so that, with the use of suitable supporting materials/devices (if necessary), the requirements in subsection (b) can be met.

EXCEPTION: This section does not apply to cranes designed for use on railroad tracks when used on railroad tracks that are part of the general railroad system of transportation that is regulated pursuant to the Federal Railroad Administration under 49 CFR part 213 and that comply with applicable Federal Railroad Administration requirements.