California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 14 - Petroleum Safety Orders-Drilling and Production
Article 18 - Standard Type Derricks
Section 6561 - Outside Derrick Platforms

(a) Every derrick used for drilling or redrilling shall have a continuous outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide completely around the derrick at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than one (1) girt [not to exceed eight feet (8')] below the principal inside derrick platform.

(b) Every derrick used for drilling or redrilling shall have an outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide across the side of the derrick in which each auxiliary inside derrick platform is located. This outside derrick platform shall be parallel to the longest side of the inside platform and shall be two feet (2') or less from adjacent derrick legs and at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than one (1) girt [not to exceed eight feet (8')] below the inside platform. A minimum vertical clearance of at least six and one-half feet (6 1/2') shall be maintained between outside derrick platforms.

(c)

(G-3) With the exception noted below, every derrick used for well servicing shall have a continuous outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide completely around the derrick at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than one (1) girt [not to exceed eight feet (8')] below the principal inside derrick platform.

If well-servicing hoists are used and operating conditions necessitate running the sand line to the sand reel outside the derrick tower, the platform on that side of the derrick tower may be omitted.

(G-2) Every derrick used for well servicing shall have an outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide across the side of the derrick in which the principal inside derrick platform is located. This outside derrick platform shall be parallel to the longest side of the inside platform, and shall be two feet (2') or less from adjacent derrick legs and at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than one (1) girt [not to exceed eight feet (8')] below the principal inside derrick platform.

(d) (G-2, G-3) Every derrick used for well servicing shall have an outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide across the side of the derrick in which each auxiliary inside derrick platform is located. This outside derrick platform shall be parallel to the longest side of the inside platform and shall be two feet (2') or less from adjacent derrick legs and at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than one (1) girt [not to exceed eight feet (8')] below the inside derrick platform. A minimum vertical clearance of at least six and one-half feet (6 1/2') shall be maintained between outside derrick platforms.

Every derrick used for well servicing shall have an outside derrick platform at least two feet (2') wide across the side of the derrick in which the inside derrick rod board platform is located. This outside derrick platform shall be parallel to the longest side of the inside derrick rod board platform, and shall be two feet (2') or less from adjacent derrick legs and at an elevation not more than two feet (2') above and not more than five feet (5') below the inside derrick rod board platform. A minimum vertical clearance of at least six and one-half feet (6 1/2') shall be maintained between outside derrick platforms.

(e) (G-2, G-3) Direct access shall be provided to each outside derrick platform by the main derrick ladder, by an auxiliary derrick ladder from any lower outside derrick platform to which the main derrick ladder provides direct access, or by extending the outside derrick platform to the main derrick ladder.

(f) The outer edges of all outside derrick platforms shall be equipped with standard railings and toeboards.

(g) The outer edges of all ladder offset platforms shall be equipped with standard railings but need not be equipped with toeboards.

EXCEPTION: to subsections (f) and (g) of this section: Railings and toeboards constructed on these respective platforms before March 1, 1924, need not conform to standards set forth in the General Industry Safety Orders, but shall consist of a top rail three and one-half feet (3 1/2') high, and a mid rail, or equivalent type of construction. Such railings and toeboards shall be constructed and maintained to conform to good engineering practices.