According to OSHA, employers must comply with the safety limitations outlined by the hydraulic crane's manufacturer. If the manufacturer of the crane does not provide safety limitations, they will be determined by a qualified engineer in this field. Limitations pertain to the recommended weight capacity, operational speed and hazard warning signs.
The North Carolina Department of Labor issued a publication in July 2009, which speaks to the dangers of hydraulic cranes and two-blocking. Two-blocking is when the hoist block comes into contact with the boom, causing the hoist line to break and the load to fall. This is dangerous to workers below, who can become crushed by falling loads. Anti-two-blocking devices must be installed in the hydraulic crane to prevent two-blocking from occurring.
North Carolina's Department of Labor also explains that hydraulic cranes can become easily turned over during travel from one location to another, crushing the cranes' operators. Crush-resistant cabs must be installed onto cranes to protect operators from becoming crushed during a turnover accident.