§ 1926.550 29 CFR Ch.

XVII (7–1–99 Edition)

III. ENFORCEMENT minations of a qualified engineer com-
Constant awareness of and respect for fall petent in this field and such determina-
hazards, and compliance with all safety rules tions will be appropriately documented
are considered conditions of employment. and recorded. Attachments used with
The crew supervisor or foreman, as well as cranes shall not exceed the capacity,
individuals in the Safety and Personnel De- rating, or scope recommended by the
partment, reserve the right to issue discipli-
manufacturer.
nary warnings to employees, up to and in-
cluding termination, for failure to follow the (2) Rated load capacities, and rec-
guidelines of this program. ommended operating speeds, special
hazard warnings, or instruction, shall
IV. ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS be conspicuously posted on all equip-
All accidents that result in injury to work- ment. Instructions or warnings shall be
ers, regardless of their nature, shall be inves- visible to the operator while he is at
tigated and reported. It is an integral part of his control station.
any safety program that documentation take (3) [Reserved]
place as soon as possible so that the cause
(4) Hand signals to crane and derrick
and means of prevention can be identified to
prevent a reoccurrence. operators shall be those prescribed by
In the event that an employee falls or the applicable ANSI standard for the
there is some other related, serious incident type of crane in use. An illustration of
occurring, this plan shall be reviewed to de- the signals shall be posted at the job
termine if additional practices, procedures, site.
or training need to be implemented to pre- (5) The employer shall designate a
vent similar types of falls or incidents from
competent person who shall inspect all
occurring.
machinery and equipment prior to each
V. CHANGES TO PLAN use, and during use, to make sure it is
Any changes to the plan will be approved in safe operating condition. Any defi-
by (name of the qualified person). This plan ciencies shall be repaired, or defective
shall be reviewed by a qualified person as the parts replaced, before continued use.
job progresses to determine if additional (6) A thorough, annual inspection of
practices, procedures or training needs to be the hoisting machinery shall be made
implemented by the competent person to im- by a competent person, or by a govern-
prove or provide additional fall protection.
ment or private agency recognized by
Workers shall be notified and trained, if nec-
essary, in the new procedures. A copy of this the U.S. Department of Labor. The em-
plan and all approved changes shall be main- ployer shall maintain a record of the
tained at the jobsite. dates and results of inspections for
[59 FR 40730, Aug. 9, 1994]
each hoisting machine and piece of
equipment.
(7) Wire rope shall be taken out of
Subpart N—Cranes, Derricks, service when any of the following con-
Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors ditions exist:
(i) In running ropes, six randomly
AUTHORITY: Sec. 107, Contract Work Hours distributed broken wires in one lay or
and Safety Standards Act (Construction three broken wires in one strand in one
Safety Act) (40 U.S.C. 333); secs. 4, 6, 8, Occu- lay;
pational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 653, 655, 657); Secretary of Labor’s
(ii) Wear of one-third the original di-
Order No. 12–71 (36 FR 8754), 8–76 (41 FR ameter of outside individual wires.
25059), or 9–83 (49 FR 35736), as applicable. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any
Section 1926.550 also issued under 29 CFR other damage resulting in distortion of
Part 1911. the rope structure;
(iii) Evidence of any heat damage
§ 1926.550 Cranes and derricks. from any cause;
(a) General requirements. (1) The em- (iv) Reductions from nominal diame-
ployer shall comply with the manufac- ter of more than one-sixty-fourth inch
turer’s specifications and limitations for diameters up to and including five-
applicable to the operation of any and sixteenths inch, one-thirty-second inch
all cranes and derricks. Where manu- for diameters three-eighths inch to and
facturer’s specifications are not avail- including one-half inch, three-sixty-
able, the limitations assigned to the fourths inch for diameters nine-six-
equipment shall be based on the deter- teenths inch to and including three-

354
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1926.550

fourths inch, one-sixteenth inch for di- (14) Fuel tank filler pipe shall be lo-
ameters seven-eighths inch to 11⁄8 cated in such a position, or protected
inches inclusive, three-thirty-seconds in such manner, as to not allow spill or
inch for diameters 11⁄4 to 11⁄2 inches in- overflow to run onto the engine, ex-
clusive; haust, or electrical equipment of any
(v) In standing ropes, more than two machine being fueled.
broken wires in one lay in sections be- (i) An accessible fire extinguisher of
yond end connections or more than one 5BC rating, or higher, shall be avail-
broken wire at an end connection. able at all operator stations or cabs of
(vi) Wire rope safety factors shall be equipment.
in accordance with American National (ii) All fuels shall be transported,
Standards Institute B30.5–1968 or SAE stored, and handled to meet the rules
J959–1966. of subpart F of this part. When fuel is
(8) Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, transported by vehicles on public high-
sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, ways, Department of Transportation
chains, or other reciprocating, rotat- rules contained in 49 CFR Parts 177 and
ing, or other moving parts or equip- 393 concerning such vehicular transpor-
ment shall be guarded if such parts are tation are considered applicable.
exposed to contact by employees, or (15) Except where electrical distribu-
otherwise create a hazard. Guarding tion and transmission lines have been
shall meet the requirements of the deenergized and visibly grounded at
American National Standards Institute point of work or where insulating bar-
B15.1–1958 Rev., Safety Code for Me- riers, not a part of or an attachment to
chanical Power Transmission Appa- the equipment or machinery, have been
ratus. erected to prevent physical contact
(9) Accessible areas within the swing with the lines, equipment or machines
radius of the rear of the rotating super- shall be operated proximate to power
structure of the crane, either perma- lines only in accordance with the fol-
nently or temporarily mounted, shall lowing:
be barricaded in such a manner as to (i) For lines rated 50 kV. or below,
prevent an employee from being struck minimum clearance between the lines
or crushed by the crane. and any part of the crane or load shall
(10) All exhaust pipes shall be guard- be 10 feet;
ed or insulated in areas where contact (ii) For lines rated over 50 kV., min-
by employees is possible in the per- imum clearance between the lines and
formance of normal duties. any part of the crane or load shall be 10
(11) Whenever internal combustion feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV. over 50
engine powered equipment exhausts in kV., or twice the length of the line in-
enclosed spaces, tests shall be made sulator, but never less than 10 feet;
and recorded to see that employees are (iii) In transit with no load and boom
not exposed to unsafe concentrations of lowered, the equipment clearance shall
toxic gases or oxygen deficient be a minimum of 4 feet for voltages
atmospheres. less than 50 kV., and 10 feet for
(12) All windows in cabs shall be of voltages over 50 kV., up to and includ-
safety glass, or equivalent, that intro- ing 345 kV., and 16 feet for voltages up
duces no visible distortion that will to and including 750 kV.
interfere with the safe operation of the (iv) A person shall be designated to
machine. observe clearance of the equipment and
(13) (i) Where necessary for rigging or give timely warning for all operations
service requirements, a ladder, or where it is difficult for the operator to
steps, shall be provided to give access maintain the desired clearance by vis-
to a cab roof. ual means;
(ii) Guardrails, handholds, and steps (v) Cage-type boom guards, insu-
shall be provided on cranes for easy ac- lating links, or proximity warning de-
cess to the car and cab, conforming to vices may be used on cranes, but the
American National Standards Institute use of such devices shall not alter the
B30.5. requirements of any other regulation
(iii) Platforms and walkways shall of this part even if such device is re-
have anti-skid surfaces. quired by law or regulation;

355
§ 1926.550 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–99 Edition)

(vi) Any overhead wire shall be con- belly slings does not constitute compli-
sidered to be an energized line unless ance with this rule.
and until the person owning such line (2) All crawler, truck, or locomotive
or the electrical utility authorities in- cranes in use shall meet the applicable
dicate that it is not an energized line requirements for design, inspection,
and it has been visibly grounded; construction, testing, maintenance and
(vii) Prior to work near transmitter operation as prescribed in the ANSI
towers where an electrical charge can B30.5–1968, Safety Code for Crawler, Lo-
be induced in the equipment or mate- comotive and Truck Cranes. However,
rials being handled, the transmitter the written, dated, and signed inspec-
shall be de-energized or tests shall be tion reports and records of the monthly
made to determine if electrical charge inspection of critical items prescribed
is induced on the crane. The following in section 5–2.1.5 of the ANSI B30.5–1968
precautions shall be taken when nec- standard are not required. Instead, the
essary to dissipate induced voltages: employer shall prepare a certification
(a) The equipment shall be provided record which includes the date the
with an electrical ground directly to crane items were inspected; the signa-
the upper rotating structure sup- ture of the person who inspected the
porting the boom; and crane items; and a serial number, or
(b) Ground jumper cables shall be at- other identifier, for the crane in-
tached to materials being handled by spected. The most recent certification
boom equipment when electrical record shall be maintained on file until
charge is induced while working near a new one is prepared.
energized transmitters. Crews shall be (c) Hammerhead tower cranes. (1) Ade-
provided with nonconductive poles hav- quate clearance shall be maintained
ing large alligator clips or other simi- between moving and rotating struc-
lar protection to attach the ground tures of the crane and fixed objects to
cable to the load. allow the passage of employees without
(c) Combustible and flammable mate- harm.
rials shall be removed from the imme- (2) Each employee required to per-
diate area prior to operations. form duties on the horizontal boom of
(16) No modifications or additions hammerhead tower cranes shall be pro-
which affect the capacity or safe oper- tected against falling by guardrails or
ation of the equipment shall be made by a personal fall arrest system in con-
by the employer without the manufac- formance with subpart M of this part.
turer’s written approval. If such modi- (3) Buffers shall be provided at both
fications or changes are made, the ca- ends of travel of the trolley.
pacity, operation, and maintenance in- (4) Cranes mounted on rail tracks
struction plates, tags, or decals, shall shall be equipped with limit switches
be changed accordingly. In no case limiting the travel of the crane on the
shall the original safety factor of the track and stops or buffers at each end
equipment be reduced. of the tracks.
(17) The employer shall comply with (5) All hammerhead tower cranes in
Power Crane and Shovel Association use shall meet the applicable require-
Mobile Hydraulic Crane Standard No. ments for design, construction, instal-
2. lation, testing, maintenance, inspec-
(18) Sideboom cranes mounted on tion, and operation as prescribed by
wheel or crawler tractors shall meet the manufacturer.
the requirements of SAE J743a–1964. (d) Overhead and gantry cranes. (1)
(19) All employees shall be kept clear The rated load of the crane shall be
of loads about to be lifted and of sus- plainly marked on each side of the
pended loads. crane, and if the crane has more than
(b) Crawler, locomotive, and truck one hoisting unit, each hoist shall have
cranes. (1) All jibs shall have positive its rated load marked on it or its load
stops to prevent their movement of block, and this marking shall be clear-
more than 5° above the straight line of ly legible from the ground or floor.
the jib and boom on conventional type (2) Bridge trucks shall be equipped
crane booms. The use of cable type with sweeps which extend below the

356
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1926.550

top of the rail and project in front of tion of employees working onboard ma-
the truck wheels. rine vessels specified in § 1926.605.
(3) Except for floor-operated cranes, a (g) Crane or derrick suspended per-
gong or other effective audible warning sonnel platforms—(1) Scope, application
signal shall be provided for each crane and definitions—(i) Scope and applica-
equipped with a power traveling mech- tion. This standard applies to the de-
anism. sign, construction, testing, use and
(4) All overhead and gantry cranes in maintenance of personnel platforms,
use shall meet the applicable require- and the hoisting of personnel platforms
ments for design, construction, instal- on the load lines of cranes or derricks.
lation, testing, maintenance, inspec- (ii) Definitions. For the purposes of
tion, and operation as prescribed in the this paragraph (g), the following defini-
ANSI B30.2.0–1967, Safety Code for tions apply:
Overhead and Gantry Cranes. (A) Failure means load refusal, break-
(e) Derricks. All derricks in use shall age, or separation of components.
meet the applicable requirements for (B) Hoist (or hoisting) means all
design, construction, installation, in- crane or derrick functions such as low-
spection, testing, maintenance, and op- ering, lifting, swinging, booming in and
eration as prescribed in American Na- out or up and down, or suspending a
tional Standards Institute B30.6–1969, personnel platform.
Safety Code for Derricks. (C) Load refusal means the point
(f) Floating cranes and derricks—(1) where the ultimate strength is exceed-
Mobile cranes mounted on barges. (i) ed.
When a mobile crane is mounted on a (D) Maximum intended load means the
barge, the rated load of the crane shall total load of all employees, tools, ma-
not exceed the original capacity speci- terials, and other loads reasonably an-
fied by the manufacturer. ticipated to be applied to a personnel
platform or personnel platform compo-
(ii) A load rating chart, with clearly
nent at any one time.
legible letters and figures, shall be pro-
(E) Runway means a firm, level sur-
vided with each crane, and securely
face designed, prepared and designated
fixed at a location easily visible to the
as a path of travel for the weight and
operator.
configuration of the crane being used
(iii) When load ratings are reduced to
to lift and travel with the crane sus-
stay within the limits for list of the
pended platform. An existing surface
barge with a crane mounted on it, a
may be used as long as it meets these
new load rating chart shall be pro-
criteria.
vided.
(2) General requirements. The use of a
(iv) Mobile cranes on barges shall be crane or derrick to hoist employees on
positively secured. a personnel platform is prohibited, ex-
(2) Permanently mounted floating cept when the erection, use, and dis-
cranes and derricks. (i) When cranes and mantling of conventional means of
derricks are permanently installed on a reaching the worksite, such as a per-
barge, the capacity and limitations of sonnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial
use shall be based on competent design lift, elevating work platform or scaf-
criteria. fold, would be more hazardous, or is
(ii) A load rating chart with clearly not possible because of structural de-
legible letters and figures shall be pro- sign or worksite conditions.
vided and securely fixed at a location (3) Cranes and derricks—(i) Operational
easily visible to the operator. criteria. (A) Hoisting of the personnel
(iii) Floating cranes and floating der- platform shall be performed in a slow,
ricks in use shall meet the applicable controlled, cautious manner with no
requirements for design, construction, sudden movements of the crane or der-
installation, testing, maintenance, and rick, or the platform.
operation as prescribed by the manu- (B) Load lines shall be capable of sup-
facturer. porting, without failure, at least seven
(3) Protection of employees working on times the maximum intended load, ex-
barges. The employer shall comply with cept that where rotation resistant rope
the applicable requirements for protec- is used, the lines shall be capable of

357
§ 1926.550 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–99 Edition)

supporting without failure, at least ten trolled load lowering.) Free fall is pro-
times the maximum intended load. The hibited.
required design factor is achieved by (4) Personnel platforms—(i) Design cri-
taking the current safety factor of 3.5 teria. (A) The personnel platform and
(required under paragraph (b)(2)) of this suspension system shall be designed by
section and applying the 50 per cent de- a qualified engineer or a qualified per-
rating of the crane capacity which is son competent in structural design.
required by paragraph (g)(3)(i)(F) of (B) The suspension system shall be
this section. designed to minimize tipping of the
(C) Load and boom hoist drum platform due to movement of employ-
brakes, swing brakes, and locking de- ees occupying the platform.
vices such as pawls or dogs shall be en- (C) The personnel platform itself, ex-
gaged when the occupied personnel cept the guardrail system and personal
platform is in a stationary working po- fall arrest system anchorages, shall be
sition. capable of supporting, without failure,
(D) The crane shall be uniformly its own weight and at least five times
level within one percent of level grade the maximum intended load. Criteria
and located on firm footing. Cranes for guardrail systems and personal fall
equipped with outriggers shall have arrest system anchorages are con-
them all fully deployed following man- tained in subpart M of this Part.
ufacturer’s specifications, insofar as (ii) Platform specifications. (A) Each
applicable, when hoisting employees. personnel platform shall be equipped
(E) The total weight of the loaded with a guardrail system which meets
personnel platform and related rigging the requirements of subpart M, and,
shall not exceed 50 percent of the rated shall be enclosed at least from the
capaciy for the radius and configura- toeboard to mid-rail with either solid
tion of the crane or derrick. construction or expanded metal having
(F) The use of machines having live openings no greater than 1⁄2 inch (1.27
booms (booms in which lowering is con- cm).
trolled by a brake without aid from (B) A grab rail shall be installed in-
other devices which slow the lowering side the entire perimeter of the per-
speeds) is prohibited. sonnel platform.
(ii) Instruments and components. (A) (C) Access gates, if installed, shall
Cranes and derricks with variable not swing outward during hoisting.
angle booms shall be equipped with a (D) Access gates, including sliding or
boom angle indicator, readily visible to folding gates, shall be equipped with a
the operator. restraining device to prevent acci-
(B) Cranes with telescoping booms dental opening.
shall be equipped with a device to indi- (E) Headroom shall be provided which
cate clearly to the operator, at all allows employees to stand upright in
times, the boom’s extended length, or the platform.
an accurate determination of the load (F) In addition to the use of hard
radius to be used during the lift shall hats, employees shall be protected by
be made prior to hoisting personnel. overhead protection on the personnel
(C) A positive acting device shall be platform when employees are exposed
used which prevents contact between to falling objects.
the load block or overhaul ball and the (G) All rough edges exposed to con-
boom tip (anti-two-blocking device), or tact by employees shall be surfaced or
a system shall be used which deacti- smoothed in order to prevent injury to
vates the hoisting action before dam- employees from punctures or lacera-
age occurs in the event of a two-block- tions.
ing situation (two block damage pre- (H) All welding of the personnel plat-
vention feature). form and its components shall be per-
(D) The load line hoist drum shall formed by a qualified welder familiar
have a system or device on the power with the weld grades, types and mate-
train, other than the load hoist brake, rial specified in the platform design.
which regulates the lowering rate of (I) The personnel platform shall be
speed of the hoist mechanism (con- conspicuously posted with a plate or

358
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1926.550

other permanent marking which indi- platform and the necessary employees,
cates the weight of the platform and their tools and the materials necessary
its rated load capacity or maximum in- to do their work, and shall not be used
tended load. for any other purpose when not hoist-
(iii) Personnel platform loading. (A) ing personnel.
The personnel platform shall not be (5) Trial lift, inspection, and proof test-
loaded in excess of its rated load capac- ing. (i) A trial lift with the unoccupied
ity. When a personnel platform does personnel platform loaded at least to
not have a rated load capacity then the the anticipated liftweight shall be
personnel platform shall not be loaded made from ground level, or any other
in excess of its maximum intended location where employees will enter
load. the platform, to each location at which
(B) The number of employees occu- the personnel platform is to be hoisted
pying the personnel platform shall not and positioned. This trial lift shall be
exceed the number required for the performed immediately prior to plac-
work being performed. ing personnel on the platform. The op-
(C) Personnel platforms shall be used erator shall determine that all sys-
only for employees, their tools, and the tems, controls and safety devices are
materials necessary to do their work, activated and functioning properly;
and shall not be used to hoist only ma- that no interferences exist; and that all
terials or tools when not hoisting per- configurations necessary to reach
sonnel. those work locations will allow the op-
(D) Materials and tools for use during erator to remain under the 50 percent
a personnel lift shall be secured to pre- limit of the hoist’s rated capacity. Ma-
vent displacement. terials and tools to be used during the
(E) Materials and tools for use during actual lift can be loaded in the plat-
a personnel lift shall be evenly distrib- form, as provided in paragraphs
uted within the confines of the plat- (g)(4)(iii) (D), and (E) of this section for
form while the platform is suspended. the trial lift. A single trial lift may be
(iv) Rigging. (A) When a wire rope bri- performed at one time for all locations
dle is used to connect the personnel that are to be reached from a single set
platform to the load line, each bridle up position.
leg shall be connected to a master link (ii) The trial lift shall be repeated
or shackle in such a manner to ensure prior to hoisting employees whenever
that the load is evenly divided among the crane or derrick is moved and set
the bridle legs. up in a new location or returned to a
(B) Hooks on overhaul ball assem- previously used location. Additionally,
blies, lower load blocks, or other at- the trial lift shall be repeated when the
tachment assemblies shall be of a type lift route is changed unless the oper-
that can be closed and locked, elimi- ator determines that the route change
nating the hook throat opening. Alter- is not significant (i.e. the route change
natively, an alloy anchor type shackle would not affect the safety of hoisted
with a bolt, nut and retaining pin may employees.)
be used. (iii) After the trial lift, and just prior
(C) Wire rope, shackles, rings, master to hoisting personnel, the platform
links, and other rigging hardware must shall be hoisted a few inches and in-
be capable of supporting, without fail- spected to ensure that it is secure and
ure, at least five times the maximum properly balanced. Employees shall not
intended load applied or transmitted to be hoisted unless the following condi-
that component. Where rotation resist- tions are determined to exist:
ant rope is used, the slings shall be ca- (A) Hoist ropes shall be free of kinks;
pable of supporting without failure at (B) Multiple part lines shall not be
least ten times the maximum intended twisted around each other;
load. (C) The primary attachment shall be
(D) All eyes in wire rope slings shall centered over the platform; and
be fabricated with thimbles. (D) The hoisting system shall be in-
(E) Bridles and associated rigging for spected if the load rope is slack to en-
attaching the personnel platform to sure all ropes are properly stated on
the hoist line shall be used only for the drums and in sheaves.

359
§ 1926.550 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–99 Edition)

(iv) A visual inspection of the crane a signal person would create a greater
or derrick, rigging, personnel platform, hazard for that person, direct commu-
and the crane or derrick base support nication alone such as by radio may be
or ground shall be conducted by a com- used.
petent person immediately after the (vii) Except over water, employees
trial lift to determine whether the occupying the personnel platform shall
testing has exposed any defect or pro- use a body belt/harness system with
duced any adverse effect upon any com- lanyard appropriately attached to the
ponent or structure. lower load block or overhaul ball, or to
(v) Any defects found during inspec- a structural member within the per-
tions which create a safety hazard sonnel platform capable of supporting a
shall be corrected before hoisting per- fall impact for employees using the an-
sonnel. chorage. When working over water, the
(vi) At each job site, prior to hoisting requirements of § 1926.106 shall apply.
employees on the personnel platform, (viii) No lifts shall be made on an-
and after any repair or modification, other of the crane’s or derrick’s
the platform and rigging shall be proof loadlines while personnel are sus-
tested to 125 percent of the platform’s pended on a platform.
rated capacity by holding it in a sus- (7) Traveling. (i) Hoisting of employ-
pended position for five minutes with ees while the crane is traveling is pro-
the test load evenly distributed on the hibited, except for portal, tower and lo-
platform (this may be done concur- comotive cranes, or where the em-
rently with the trial lift). After ployer demonstrates that there is no
prooftesting, a competent person shall less hazardous way to perform the
inspect the platform and rigging. Any work.
deficiencies found shall be corrected (ii) Under any circumstances where a
and another proof test shall be con- crane would travel while hoisting per-
ducted. Personnel hoisting shall not be sonnel, the employer shall implement
conducted until the proof testing re- the following procedures to safeguard
quirements are satisfied. employees:
(6) Work practices. (i) Employees shall (A) Crane travel shall be restricted to
keep all parts of the body inside the a fixed track or runway;
platform during raising, lowering, and (B) Travel shall be limited to the
positioning. This provision does not load radius of the boom used during the
apply to an occupant of the platform lift; and
performing the duties of a signal per- (C) The boom must be parallel to the
son. direction of travel.
(ii) Before employees exit or enter a (D) A complete trial run shall be per-
hoisted personnel platform that is not formed to test the route of travel be-
landed, the platform shall be secured to fore employees are allowed to occupy
the structure where the work is to be the platform. This trial run can be per-
performed, unless securing to the formed at the same time as the trial
structure creates an unsafe situation. lift required by paragraph (g)(5)(i) of
(iii) Tag lines shall be used unless this section which tests the route of
their use creates an unsafe condition. the lift.
(iv) The crane or derrick operator (E) If travel is done with a rubber
shall remain at the controls at all tired-carrier, the condition and air
times when the crane engine is running pressure of the tires shall be checked.
and the platform is occupied. The chart capacity for lifts on rubber
(v) Hoisting of employees shall be shall be used for application of the 50
promptly discontinued upon indication percent reduction of rated capacity.
of any dangerous weather conditions or Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(3)(i)(E)
other impending danger. of this section, outriggers may be par-
(vi) Employees being hoisted shall re- tially retracted as necessary for travel.
main in continuous sight of and in di- (8) Pre-lift meeting. (i) A meeting at-
rect communication with the operator tended by the crane or derrick oper-
or signal person. In those situations ator, signal person(s) (if necessary for
where direct visual contact with the the lift), employee(s) to be lifted, and
operator is not possible, and the use of the person responsible for the task to

360
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1926.551

be performed shall be held to review vide for the protection of the employ-
the appropriate requirements of para- ees from flying objects in the rotor
graph (g) of this section and the proce- downwash. All loose gear within 100
dures to be followed. feet of the place of lifting the load, de-
(ii) This meeting shall be held prior positing the load, and all other areas
to the trial lift at each new work loca- susceptible to rotor downwash shall be
tion, and shall be repeated for any em- secured or removed.
ployees newly assigned to the oper- (g) Housekeeping. Good housekeeping
ation. shall be maintained in all helicopter
loading and unloading areas.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6,
1979, as amended at 52 FR 36382, Sept. 28, (h) Operator responsibility. The heli-
1987; 53 FR 29139, Aug. 2, 1988; 54 FR 15406, copter operator shall be responsible for
Apr. 18, 1989; 54 FR 24334, June 7, 1989; 58 FR size, weight, and manner in which
35183, June 30, 1993; 59 FR 40730, Aug. 9, 1994; loads are connected to the helicopter.
61 FR 5510, Feb. 13, 1996] If, for any reason, the helicopter oper-
ator believes the lift cannot be made
§ 1926.551 Helicopters. safely, the lift shall not be made.
(a) Helicopter regulations. Helicopter (i) Hooking and unhooking loads. When
cranes shall be expected to comply employees are required to perform
with any applicable regulations of the work under hovering craft, a safe
Federal Aviation Administration. means of access shall be provided for
(b) Briefing. Prior to each day’s oper- employees to reach the hoist line hook
ation a briefing shall be conducted. and engage or disengage cargo slings.
This briefing shall set forth the plan of Employees shall not perform work
operation for the pilot and ground per- under hovering craft except when nec-
sonnel. essary to hook or unhook loads.
(c) Slings and tag lines. Load shall be (j) Static charge. Static charge on the
properly slung. Tag lines shall be of a suspended load shall be dissipated with
length that will not permit their being a grounding device before ground per-
drawn up into rotors. Pressed sleeve, sonnel touch the suspended load, or
swedged eyes, or equivalent means protective rubber gloves shall be worn
shall be used for all freely suspended by all ground personnel touching the
loads to prevent hand splices from suspended load.
spinning open or cable clamps from (k) Weight limitation. The weight of an
loosening. external load shall not exceed the man-
(d) Cargo hooks. All electrically oper- ufacturer’s rating.
ated cargo hooks shall have the elec- (l) Ground lines. Hoist wires or other
trical activating device so designed and gear, except for pulling lines or con-
installed as to prevent inadvertent op- ductors that are allowed to ‘‘pay out’’
eration. In addition, these cargo hooks from a container or roll off a reel, shall
shall be equipped with an emergency not be attached to any fixed ground
mechanical control for releasing the structure, or allowed to foul on any
load. The hooks shall be tested prior to fixed structure.
each day’s operation to determine that (m) Visibility. When visibility is re-
the release functions properly, both duced by dust or other conditions,
electrically and mechanically. ground personnel shall exercise special
(e) Personal protective equipment. (1) caution to keep clear of main and sta-
Personal protective equipment for em- bilizing rotors. Precautions shall also
ployees receiving the load shall consist be taken by the employer to eliminate
of complete eye protection and hard as far as practical reduced visibility.
hats secured by chinstraps. (n) Signal systems. Signal systems be-
(2) Loose-fitting clothing likely to tween aircrew and ground personnel
flap in the downwash, and thus be shall be understood and checked in ad-
snagged on hoist line, shall not be vance of hoisting the load. This applies
worn. to either radio or hand signal systems.
(f) Loose gear and objects. Every prac- Hand signals shall be as shown in Fig-
tical precaution shall be taken to pro- ure N–1.

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