California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 20 - Tunnel Safety Orders
Article 19 - Shafts and Hoisting Systems
Section 8499 - Hoisting Engineers

(a) At every shaft where personnel or materials are hoisted there shall be one or more qualified individuals to be known as hoisting engineers. They shall be able to speak and read English readily, and must have had practical experience in operating shaft hoisting systems. Each hoisting engineer shall pass a thorough physical examination, at least once a year, by a medical physician authorized to practice in California. Arrangements shall be made so that written verification indicating that the hoist engineer is physically fit to operate a hoist is sent to the employer for posting near the hoisting system control room. (See example of form shown in Appendix C of these safety orders as to the suggested information required.)

(b) Individuals who have not had practical experience in hoisting personnel or material shall not be assigned to duty as hoisting engineers without prior training under the direction of an experienced hoisting engineer. A reasonable number of trainees may work under the direct supervision of a qualified hoisting engineer hoisting materials for the purpose of obtaining the necessary experience to qualify them as hoisting engineers. Training shall include experience in operation of the hoist handling material only, until such time as the employer considers the learner competent to hoist and lower personnel. Training shall be done at such times and under such circumstances as to avoid the creation of any unusual hazard.

(c) At all shafts where personnel or materials are hoisted, only those familiar with the details and workings of a shaft hoist shall be assigned to this work and, except in cases of emergency or as provided for in (b) above, no one but the duly appointed hoisting engineers shall operate such hoisting system.

(d) At any shaft where hoisting is conducted, a copy of this article shall be available near the operator's station at all times. Prior to any person assuming the duties as a hoisting engineer, he/she shall be required to familiarize himself/herself with, and follow all the requirements contained therein.

(e) The hoisting engineer shall report immediately to his/her employer any defects in the hoisting or communication systems. The hoisting engineer shall not operate the hoisting system, nor permit any other person to operate the system until said defects have been corrected.