Gear and Equipment for
Rigging and Materials
Handling
Subpart G
1915.111 – Inspections
1915.112 – Ropes, chains and slings
1915.113 – Shackles and hooks
1915.114 – Chain falls and pull-lifts
Subpart G
Cont.
1915.115 – Hoisting and hauling
equipment
1915.116 – Use of gear
1915.117 – Qualifications of operators
1915.118 – Tables
1915.120 – Powered industrial truck
operator training
Inspection
1915.111(a)
All gear and
equipment provided
by the employer for
rigging and materials
handling must be
inspected before each
shift and when
necessary, at intervals
during its use to
ensure that it is safe.
Defective gear must
be removed and
repaired or replaced
before further use.
Inspection
1915.111(b)
The safe working
load of gear as
specified in
1915.112 and
1915.113 must
not be exceeded.
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(a)(1)
Table G‑1 in 1915.118
must be used to determine
the safe working load of
various sizes of manila
rope and manila rope
slings at various angles.
Except that higher safe
working loads are
permissible when
recommended by the
manufacturer for specific,
identifiable products.
Provided that a safety
factor of not less than five
(5) is maintained.
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(b)(1)
Tables G‑2 through G‑5 in
1915.118 must be used to
determine the safe
working loads of various
sizes and classifications of
improved plow steel wire
rope and wire rope slings.
For sizes, classifications
and grades not included in
these tables, the safe
working load
recommended by the
manufacturer for specific,
identifiable products must
be followed.
Provided that a safety
factor of not less than five
(5) is maintained.
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(b)(3)
Where U-bolt wire
rope clips are used to
form eyes, Table G-8
in 1915.118 must be
used to determine the Saddle
number and spacing of
clips.
The U-bolt must be
applied so that the “U”
U-Bolt
section is in contact
with the dead end of
the rope.
Dead End
This is the correct method.
NEVER SADDLE
A DEAD HORSE!!!
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(c)(1)
Tables G‑7 and G‑8 in
1915.118 must be used
to determine the
working load limit of
various sizes of
wrought iron and alloy
steel chains and chain
slings.
Except that higher safe
working loads are
permissible when
recommended by the
manufacturer for specific,
identifiable products.
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(c)(2)
All sling chains, including
end fastenings, must be
given a visual inspection
before being used on the
job.
A thorough inspection of all
chains in use must be made
every 3 months.
Each chain must bear an
indication of the month in
which it was thoroughly
inspected.
The thorough inspection
must include inspection for
wear, defective welds,
deformation and increase in
length or stretch.
Ropes, Chains and Slings
1915.112(c)(4) & (5)
Chain slings must be removed from
service when;
Due to stretch, the increase in length of a measured
section exceeds five (5) percent
When a link is bent, twisted or otherwise damaged
Or when raised scarfs or defective welds appear.
All repairs must be made under qualified
supervision.
Before repaired chains are returned to service,
they must be proof tested to the proof test load
recommended by the manufacturer.
Shackles and Hooks
1915.113(a)(1)
Table G‑10 in
1915.118 must be
used to determine the
safe working loads of
various sizes of
shackles.
Except that higher
safe working loads are
permissible when
recommended by the
manufacturer.
Provided that a safety
factor of not less than
(5) is maintained.
Shackles and Hooks
1915.113(b)(3)
Hooks must be
inspected periodically
to see that they have
not been bent by
overloading.
Bent or sprung
hooks must not be
used.
Chain Falls and Pull-Lifts
1915.114(a)
Chain falls and
pull‑lifts must be
clearly marked to
show the
capacity and the
capacity must
not be exceeded.
Chain Falls and Pull-Lifts
1915.114(b)
Chain falls must be
regularly inspected to ensure
that they are safe, particular
attention being given to the
lift chain, pinion, sheaves and
hooks for distortion and wear.
Pull‑lifts must be regularly
inspected to ensure that they
are safe, particular attention
being given to the ratchet,
pawl, chain and hooks for
distortion and wear.
Chain Falls and Pull-Lifts
1915.114(c)
Straps, shackles, and
the beam or overhead
structure to which a
chain fall or pull‑lift is
secured must be of
adequate strength to
support the weight of
load plus gear.
The upper hook must be
moused or otherwise
secured against coming
free of its support.
Chain Falls and Pull-Lifts
1915.114(d)
Scaffolding shall not be
used as a point of
attachment for lifting
devices such as tackles,
chain falls, and pull‑lifts
unless the scaffolding
is specifically designed
for that purpose.
Hoisting and Hauling Equipment
1915.115(a)
Derricks and cranes which
are part of, or regularly
placed aboard barges,
other vessels, or on
wingwalls of floating
drydocks;
Are used to transfer
materials or equipment
from or to a vessel or
drydock,
Must be tested and
certificated in accordance
with the standards
provided in Part 1919 of
this title by persons
accredited for the purpose.
Hoisting and Hauling Equipment
1915.115(c)(2)
The posted safe
working loads of
mobile crawler or
truck cranes under
the conditions of
use must not be
exceeded.
Hoisting and Hauling Equipment
1915.115(d)
Accessible areas within
the swing radius of the
outermost part of the body
of a revolving derrick or
crane must be guarded.
Prevent employee from
being in such a position as
to be struck by the crane
or caught between the
crane and fixed parts of
the vessel or of the crane
itself.
Hoisting and Hauling Equipment
1915.115(e)
The cradle or
carriage on the
marine railway
must be positively
blocked or secured
when in the hauled
position to prevent
it from being
accidentally
released.
Use of Gear
1915.116(b)
Loads must be
safely rigged
before being
hoisted.
Use of Gear
1915.116(d)
Tag lines must be
provided on loads
likely to swing or to
need guidance.
Use of Gear
1915.116(g)
Skips must be rigged
to be handled by not
less than 3 legged
bridles, and all legs
must always be used.
When open end skips
are used, means must
be taken to prevent
the contents from
falling.
Use of Gear
1915.116(h)
Loose ends of
idle legs of slings
in use must be
hung on the
hook.
Use of Gear
1915.116(i)
Employees must
not be permitted
to ride the hook
or the load.
Use of Gear
1915.116(j)
Loads (tools,
equipment or other
materials) must
not be swung or
suspended over the
heads of
employees.
Use of Gear
1915.116(l)
Individual who is
familiar with signal
code in use must be
assigned as
signalman when
hoist operator
cannot see the load
being handled.
Qualifications of Operators
1915.117(b)
Only those employees
who understand the
signs, notices, and
operating
instructions, and are
familiar with the
signal code in use,
must be permitted to
operate a crane,
winch, or other power
operated hoisting
apparatus.
Powered Industrial Truck Operator
Training
1915.120
The requirements
applicable to
shipyard
employment are
identical to those
set forth at
1910.178(l).
Tools and Related
Equipment
Subpart H
1915.131 – General requirements
1915.132 – Portable electric tools
1915.133 – Hand tools
1915.134 – Abrasive wheels
1915.135 – Powder actuated fastening
tools
1915.136 – Internal combustion engines
General Precautions
1915.131(c)
All portable,
power‑driven
circular saws
must be equipped
with guards
above and below
the base plate or
shoe.
General Precautions
1915.131(e)
Before use, pneumatic
tools must be secured
to the extension hose
or whip by some
positive means to
prevent the tool from
becoming accidentally
disconnected from the
whip.
General Requirements
1915.131(g)
Headers, manifolds
and widely spaced
hose connection on
compressed air lines
must bear the work
"air" in letters at least
1 inch high.
Must be painted either
on the manifold or
separate hose
connections, or on
signs permanently
attached to the
manifolds or
connections.
Portable Electric Tools
1915.132(a)
Double
The frames of portable insulated
electric tools and markings
appliances, except
double insulated tools
must be grounded
either through a third
wire in the cable
containing the circuit
conductors or through
a separate wire which
is grounded at the Plug with a
source of the current. grounding
pin
Portable Electric Tools
1915.132(c)
Portable electric
tools which are held
in the hand must be
equipped with
switches of a type
which must be
manually held in the
closed position.
Portable Electric Tools
1915.132(d)
Worn or frayed
electric cables
must not be
used.
Hand Tools
1915.133(a), (c), & (d)
Employers must not issue or
permit the use of unsafe
hand tools.
Impact tools, such as drift
pins, wedges, and chisels,
must be kept free of
mushroomed heads.
The wooden handles of
tools must be kept free of
splinters or cracks and must
be kept tight in the tool.
Abrasive Wheels
1915.143(b)
Floor and bench
mounted grinders must
be provided with work
rests which are rigidly
supported and readily
adjustable.
Such work rests must
be kept a distance not
to exceed 1/8 inch from
the surface of the
wheel.
Abrasive Wheels
1915.143(j)
All employees using
abrasive wheels must be
protected by eye
protection equipment in
accordance with the
requirements of Subpart
I of this part.
Except when adequate
eye protection is
afforded by eye shields
which are permanently
attached to the bench or
floor stand.
Powder Actuated Fastening Tools
1915.135(b)(1)
Powder actuated
fastening tools must be
tested each day before
loading to ensure that
the safety devices are
in proper working
condition.
Any tool found not to
be in proper working
order must be
immediately removed
from service until
repairs are made.
Powder Actuated Fastening Tools
1915.135(c)
Before employees are
permitted to use
powder actuated
tools, they must have
been thoroughly
instructed by a
competent person
with respect to the
requirements of
paragraph (b) of this
section and the safe
use of such tools.
Internal Combustion Engines
1915.136(a)
When internal
combustion engines
furnished by the
employer are used in a
fixed position below
decks, for such
purposes as driving
pumps, generators, and
blowers, the exhaust
must be led to the open
air, clear of any
ventilation intakes and
openings through
which it might enter
the vessel.
Internal Combustion Engines
1915.136(c)
When internal
combustion engines on
vehicles, or on portable
equipment exhaust into
the atmosphere below
decks, the competent
person must make tests
of the carbon monoxide
content of the
atmosphere as frequently
as conditions require to
ensure that dangerous
concentrations do not
develop.
Ship’s Machinery and
Piping System
Subpart J
1915.162 – Ship’s boilers
1915.163 – Ship’s piping system
1915.164 – Ship’s propulsion machinery
1915.165 – Ship’s deck machinery
Ship’s Boilers
1915.162
Before work is performed in the fire, steam, or water
spaces of a boiler where employees may be subject to
injury from the direct escape of a high temperature
medium such as steam, or water, oil, or other medium at a
high temperature entering from an interconnecting system,
the employer shall insure that the following steps are
taken:
The isolation and shutoff valves connecting the dead boiler
with the live system or systems shall be secured, blanked, and
tagged indicating that employees are working in the boiler.
Drain connections to atmosphere on all of the dead
interconnecting systems shall be opened for visual
observation of drainage.
A warning sign calling attention to the fact that employees
are working in the boilers shall be hung in a conspicuous
location in the engine room.
Ship’s Piping Systems
1915.163(a)
Before work is performed on a
valve, fitting, or section of
piping in a piping system where
employees may be subject to
injury from the direct escape of
steam, or water, oil, or other
medium at a high temperature,
the employer must insure that
the following steps are taken:
The isolation and shutoff valves
connecting the dead system with
the life system or systems must be
secured, blanked, and tagged
indicating that employees are
working on the systems.
Ship’s Propulsion Machinery
1915.164
Before work is performed on the main engine,
reduction gear, or connecting accessories, the
employer must ensure that the following steps are
taken:
The jacking gear must be engaged to prevent the main
engine from turning over.
A sign must be posted at the throttle indicating that
the jacking gear is engaged.
This sign must not be removed until the jacking gear
can be safely disengaged.
If the jacking gear is electrically driven, the circuit
controlling the jacking gear must be de-energized by tripping
the circuit breaker, opening the switch or removing the fuse,
whichever is appropriate.
The breaker, switch, or fuse location must be tagged
indicating that employees are working on the main engine.
Ship’s Deck Machinery
1915.165
Before work is
performed on the anchor
windlass or any of its
attached accessories,
the employer must
ensure that the
following steps are
taken:
The devil claws must be made
fast to the anchor chains.
The riding pawls must be in
the engaged position.
In the absence of devil claws
and riding pawls, the anchor
chains must be secured to a
suitable fixed structure of the
vessel.
