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 1605.14 - Hoisting Machines

(a) Hoisting machines shall be designed, installed, and maintained to vertically raise and lower the rated load plus the weight of equipment and ropes.

(b) The hoisting machine shall be equipped with brakes capable of stopping and holding 125 percent of rated hoisting capacity under all operating conditions.

(c) The hoisting machine shall be secured in position so as to prevent lateral movement, shifting, or dislodgement.

(d) The location and arrangement of the hoisting machine, tower, and related sheaves shall be such that proper wrapping of the wire rope on the drum will be assured to prevent "overriding," fouling, improper spacing, or any other condition which will cause damage to the wire rope or hoisting machine.

(e) Hoisting machines shall not be left unattended with the load suspended.

(f) Adequate blocking and bracing shall be provided between the hoisting machine and the tower to prevent the transmission of any unbalanced lateral forces to the tower resulting from the pull of the hoisting ropes.

(g) When hoisting machinery is set on an elevated platform, such platforms shall be of substantial construction, properly engineered, and provided with guardrails and toeboards which conform to these Orders.

(h) Wire hoisting ropes within 7 feet of floor or ground shall be guarded by an enclosure or fence.

(i) All gears on hoisting machines shall be completely guarded.

(j) Not more than one platform winch head, boom, or bucket shall be operated at the same time by any one hoisting machine.

(k) Brake drums shall be kept free of oil, grease, or any other substance which reduces their efficiency.

(l) Mechanical brakes shall be so installed as to stop movement of the winding drum, and equipped with a positive acting latch or other mechanical device, designed as part of the hoist, which will hold the brake in the engaged position.

(m) Each manually operated hoisting machine shall be equipped with an effective pawl and ratchet capable of holding the rated load capacity when it is suspended.

(n) Internal-combustion-engine exhaust pipes shall be arranged to exhaust away from workmen so the gases will be dissipated harmlessly. A muffler shall be installed to reduce the noise.

(o) Only approved safety cans shall be used for fueling internal-combustion engines. When gravity-type fuel systems are used, a cutoff valve shall be installed between the internal-combustion engine and the fuel-supply tank.

(p) Open light, flames, or spark-producing devices shall be kept at a safe distance while refueling internal-combustion engines, and no person shall smoke or carry lighted smoking materials in the immediate area. The engine shall be stopped during refueling.

(q) A fire extinguisher which meets the requirements of the General Industry Safety Orders shall be part of the hoisting equipment.

(r) The operation of every hoist shall be controlled by an electrically or mechanically designed signal system. Manual signals may only be used when visibility and distance permit, and the signals can be relayed directly to the hoist operator. See Section 1605.21 for recommended signal systems.

(s) The platform, cage, or bucket shall be brought to its lowest position, the hoisting machine shall be shutdown and positively secured against accidental start-up when men climb the hoist tower or work on any part of the tower below the cathead. The platform, cage, or bucket may be used to raise workmen for authorized maintenance and repairs that cannot be done otherwise.

(t) All hoisting equipment, including brakes, gears, levers, and wire rope, shall be visually inspected daily. All broken, worn, or defective parts shall be repaired or replaced when discovered.

(u) Electrical equipment shall be effectively grounded. Ground cables shall be enclosed or shielded as necessary, and shall be tagged for identification.

(v) Each automatically operated electrical-motor-driven hoist shall be provided with a mechanical automatic motor brake, or equivalent device, to hold the load automatically in case of power failure.