California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 14 - Construction Hoists
Section 1604.26 - Inspection, Tests and Operation of Personnel Hoists

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 1604.26

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Acceptance Inspections and Tests of New Installations and Alterations. In order to ensure the safe operation of new hoists, such devices shall, on their completion and before being placed in service, be subjected to an acceptance inspection and tests in the field to determine that all parts of the installation conform to the applicable requirements of this Standard and that all safety equipment functions as required. A similar inspection and test shall be made following a major alteration of an existing installation and at any time the hoist is moved to a new location. (A jump of the tower after initial installation shall not be considered a major alteration.) Records shall be maintained and kept on file at the job site for the duration of the job.

(1) Persons Authorized to Make Acceptance Inspections and Tests. Inspections shall be made by a representative of the Division of Industrial Safety. The following tests shall be performed by the person or firm installing or altering the equipment in the presence of the Division representative.
(A) Acceptance tests for car and counterweight safeties and governors.

(B) Acceptance tests for oil buffers.

(C) Any tests which require rendering of any safety device or equipment inoperative or which require removal or resetting of devices or equipment.

(2) Acceptance Inspection Requirements. All parts of the installation shall be inspected for conformity with the applicable requirements of these Safety Orders.

(3) Acceptance Test for Safeties. Car safeties shall be tested with rated load in the car. Counterweight safeties, where provided, shall be tested with no load in the car.

(4) Acceptance Test for Governors. Governor-tripping speed shall be measured and the operation of the governor overspeed switch and safety mechanism switch inspected.

(5) Acceptance Test for Oil Buffers. Oil buffers under the car shall be tested with a rated load on the car traveling at rated speed. Oil buffers under the counterweight shall be tested with no load on the car and the counterweight traveling at rated speed.

(b) Periodic Inspections and Tests. All existing installations, and all new installations after being placed in service, shall be subjected to periodic inspections and tests at regular intervals of not more than 3 months for construction hoists and not more than one week for bridge construction elevators to determine that the equipment is in safe operating condition and has not been altered. All parts subject to wear shall be inspected and those worn to such an extent as to affect the safe operation of the installation shall be adjusted or replaced. Whenever the hoisting equipment installed on bridges is exposed to winds exceeding 35 miles per hour, it shall be inspected and put into operable condition before use. The employer shall prepare a certification record which includes the date the inspection and test of all functions and safety devices was performed; the signature of the person who performed the inspection and test; and a serial number or other identifier for the hoist that was inspected and tested. The most recent certification record shall be maintained on file at the job site.

(1) Periodic Inspections. Periodic inspections and tests as recommended by the hoist manufacturer shall be performed by a person designated by the employer and qualified to perform such service. Records shall be maintained and kept on file at the job site for the duration of the job.

(c) Operation. Hoists shall be operated only by a competent authorized operator, in the car, or stationed adjacent to the driving machine subject to the following conditions:

(1) A regular attendant is stationed in the car.

(2) A constant-pressure-type switch shall be provided in the car, which must be held manually in the closed position by the attendant in the car in order to permit operation of the driving machine and which shall be opened automatically when released by the operator during normal or emergency stop operations.

(3) A means of closed voice communication shall be provided between the car attendant and the operator stationed adjacent to the driving machine.

1. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 4-19-90; operative 5-19-90 (Register 90, No. 19). For prior history, see Register 75, No. 46.
2. Amendment of section heading filed 7-17-2008; operative 8-16-2008 (Register 2008, No. 29).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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