Fundamental Principles of Equipment Cribbing & Blocking

Best Practices Utilizing Turtle Plastics’

Dura Crib Products
2024
Before
Starting…

• Understand basic
cribbing & blocking
terms.
• Follow three
fundamental
principals.

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  BLOCKING - Also referred to as “cribbing,” is a
stabilization method which has traditionally been
wood or another material used to create a
configuration (usually a platform) to help support
machinery and equipment. For this presentation we
refer to cribbing as the Turtle Plastics Dura Crib
brand of products, that include blocks, chocks and
pads.

 WORKING LOAD - Also known as "design load" or

BASIC TERMS "safe load", is generally a fraction of the "ultimate
strength." “Ultimate strength'' refers to the force
required to cause complete failure of a supporting
WE MUST KNOW THE LOAD RATINGS OF
structure. “Workload" determines the size and
EACH BLOCK THAT IS USED TO CREATE number of box cribs required. “Workload" should be
A CRIB STACK AS COMPARED TO THE no more than 1/3rd of the "ultimate strength.”
LOAD/WEIGHT REQUIREMENT OF EACH
 CENTER OF GRAVITY - The center of gravity (CoG)
MACHINE OR EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO is a theoretical point of an object, which engineers
UNDERSTAND CRIBBING FEASIBILITY. use for convenience in calculations, as the single
point where all of that object’s weight is 3
concentrated.
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BASIC TERMS

• BOX CRIB - Commonly constructed using a “3 point”

crisscross of cribbing blocks positioned at 90-degree
angles. The arrangement may be square or rectangular.
Whenever possible, crib blocks should be built in a
square or rectangular shape to maximize load capacity,
stability, and safety. When properly built, cribs transfer
the load perpendicular to the cribbing blocks, resulting
in an even compressing of the crib.

• POINT SOURCE LOADING - When energy of an object

bearing down onto the crib stack is uneven or isn’t
positioned in a manner where weight is distributed
evenly across the box crib. Point source loading can
cause the crib block or crib stack to fail irrespective if
the block is made from wood or engineered material.
Another example of point source loading is placing the
block under a single point of contact where there is a
sharp object such as a screw or bolt which then pierces
the cribbing block causing the block to fail.
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 UNDERSTAND POINT SOURCE LOADING AND
IMPACT ON CRIBBING APPLICATIONS

Examples of Point Source Loading

When an object is placed onto or under a crib
block or crib stack and positioned in a manner
where the weight of the object is not distributed
evenly across the block/stack resulting in a
single point of energy bearing down.
Not placing crib blocks to the center of gravity
of the equipment. Point source loading can
Placing too much weight of the equipment onto
one block/stack. cause the crib block or
Placing the block or stack under or over a single crib stack to fail
point of contact where there is a sharp object irrespective if the block
such as a screw or bolt which then pierces the
cribbing block/stack causing the block/stack to is made from wood or
fail. engineered material.
When different cribbing blocks with differing
working loads are used to create the box crib.
The load strength of the box crib goes to the
lowest working load crib block. Therefore, if the
weight of the load being lifted exceeds the
lowest block working load, then the force of the
load will gravitate to the lowest load bearing
block causing the crib stack to fail.
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

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FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE #1
OF PROPER CRIBBING AND BLOCKING

*Read and understand the

equipment manufacturer’s
Know when the
operator’s manual.
equipment is the
“IDEAL
*Understand your organization's
CANDIDATE”
guidelines/policies for repair and
for blocking and
maintenance of the equipment.
cribbing
maneuvers.
Understand block manufacturer’s
guidelines on product suitability.

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FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE #2
OF PROPER CRIBBING AND BLOCKING

 The “Ground up Principal”

Know when the  Identify ideal ground conditions.
equipment is the Establish there is firm and solid
“IDEAL SITUATION” ground conditions to support the
for blocking and blocking.
cribbing maneuvers. Will the crib be level on this
ground condition before and
after the blocking maneuver?
 Short term cribbing application
(less than 30 days).

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FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE #3 OF
PROPER CRIBBING AND BLOCKING

 Prepare for shutdown.

 Notify all affected employees of the
Follow “LOCK
activities and equipment involved.
OUT/TAG OUT”  Shut down the equipment.
(LOTO)  Isolate the equipment from the
recommendations for hazardous energy source.
the equipment before  Dissipate residual energy.
starting any  Apply applicable lockout or tagout
cribbing/blocking devices.
maneuver.  Verify that the equipment is properly
isolated.

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DURA CRIB PRODUCTS
OSHA COMPLIANT FOR
“LOCK OUT/TAG OUT”
“When used correctly, Dura Crib brand of
products can create a compliant and
safer work environment by providing
technicians who repair equipment with a
proper ‘lock out tag out’ of stored energy.
This type of hazardous energy is created
when hoisted or jacked equipment is not
given a secured platform. Wood cribbing
does not interlock, is not tested, and is
subject to unseen degradation via
environmental factors or absorption of
fluids. All these factors create an unsafe
and unpredictable work surface that
cannot contain stored energy. Under 29
CFR 1910.147 LOTO, for stored energy
not being controlled and ‘locked-out’ can
also be used as the basis of a citation.”

Angelique Bracer, COHC, SHS

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WHY WOOD IS NOT
IDEAL FOR
LOCK OUT/TAG OUT

 Doesn’t interlock to reliably contain

hazardous energy.
 Inconsistent load rating based on species.
 Inconsistent load rating based on
environmental factors.
 Splinters, rots, degrades with age.
 Can contain creosote or other hazardous
fluids.
 Can not be decontaminated without
compromising integrity of block.

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WHAT CAN GO
WRONG…
A tire contractor was seriously
injured when the front-end
loader he was repairing fell on
him. The front-end loader had
been lifted and placed on wood
cribbing to repair a flat tire. The
contractor was underneath the
loader to adjust one of the lifting
jacks when the wood cribbing
shifted, causing the loader to
fall. The tire contractor was
struck, and his hard hat became
wedged between the cribbing
and loader frame. Photo from the Mine Safety and Health Administration – April 2018.

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DURA CRIB PRODUCT ADVANTAGES OVER WOOD
Engineered with a reliable and repeatable formula for consistent
performance.

Interlocking facades to create an OSHA compliant “lock out/tag out”

mechanism.

Lab tested for working load limit.

Safely decontaminate products with an agent on the EPA List-N.

Do not splinter or rot.

Warrantied.

Sustainably made in the USA with 100% recycled plastic.

Material is Berry Amendment, Prop 65 and Reach Compliant.

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 CRIBBING GUIDELINES
The US Army Corp of
Engineers States to never FORMULA = i.e., Super Crib 3 CRIB BLOCK BASE with
crib higher than 2-3 times = 6”x7”x24” nominal platform base= 20”
the base width of crib base.

Blocking shall be of
Blocking shall be of
sufficient strength to
sufficient thickness, width,
CRIB STACK HEIGHT = 60” prevent crushing, bending
and length to prevent
Max – Recommend no higher failure or shear failure, and
shifting, toppling, or
than 48” when possible. to adequately transmit the
excessive settlement of the
load’s weight to the
load.
supporting surface.

Use a ground pad and top

cribbing stack pad to help
dissipate load and reduce
the risk of “point source
loading.”
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 US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GUIDELINES
STACKING CONFIGURATION USING DURA CRIB BLOCKS

Lay 3 additional Dura

Consists of 3 Dura Crib
Crib blocks perpendicular Use a ground pad and top
blocks laid as a base or
to base blocks forming 9 cribbing stack pad to help
The 3x3 also known as a preferred technique is to
points of contact onto the dissipate the load and
“9-point” box crib stack. lay 3 blocks onto a
stack (at the intersection reduce the risk of “point
bottom plate of solid
of base blocks to top source loading”.
material.
blocks).

Ground Cribbing
Pad Top Cribbing Pad

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KNOW PRODUCT WARNINGS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFTING OPERATIONS
USING DURA CRIB PRODUCTS.
  Do not overload Turtle Plastics’ cribbing products.
 Do not cut, drill, or bolt into products.
 Ensure the Manufacturer's Working Load Limit
identification tag is affixed to the product at all times.
Request a complimentary tag from Turtle Plastics or your
SAFETY & distributor if needed.
When applicable, check that the product lanyard is intact
PROPERTY

before lifting the block by the lanyard.
Use the correct personal protective equipment when
DAMAGE

conducting lifting or stabilizing maneuvers.
Whenever possible, avoid intermixing cribbing materials.
AVOIDANCE

Due to the differences in material compression and
coefficient of friction, extreme care must be exercised
USING when intermixing wooden or other types of plastic or
metal cribbing with Dura Crib products.
DURA CRIB  Use caution on uneven surfaces.

PRODUCTS.
 Do not replace damaged component parts with component
parts other than those made by Turtle Plastics.
 Do not leave Dura Crib products unattended during active
load or lifting operations.
 Do not leave Dura Crib products in an actively loaded stacked
configuration for longer than 30 days. Always check to ensure
blocks are sustaining load.
 Do not clean products with any product other than a cleaning
solution from EPA List N for plastic.

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 • Box cribs are a temporary, short-term means of creating
safety redundancy to jacks and stands in lifting
operations.
• If cribbing products are the primary stabilization
mechanism, ensure that whatever is on the crib stack is
not left unattended or for prolonged periods of time.
• Ensure that blocking material is competent, substantial,
and adequate to support and stabilize the load.
GENERAL • Understand that temperature can affect working load
(always reducing it).

BEST • Establish and discuss safe work procedures.

• Ensure ground is level and solid.
• Examine work areas and identify and control all hazards
PRACTICES before starting any work.
• Read and become familiar with equipment manuals.
• Post the working load guide in an area where blocks are
being used.
• Always inspect cribbing prior and during use.
• Whenever possible, do not place yourself in a position
that will expose you to hazards during the lift or
performing the maneuver.
• Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work
procedures are followed.
• Maintain good communication between co-workers.
• Ensure that your operators have the appropriate training.

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Let’s work
together
so
everyone
stays safe.

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