Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 12, March 26, 2025
(a)
Hoisting rope.
(1) Types required.
Only wire rope of the improved plow steel classification
or equivalent having a safety factor of not less than six shall be used with
power-driven hoisting machinery, except for winchheads or capstan hoists where
fibre rope may be used.
(2)
Fibre rope.
(i) Fibre rope shall be first
grade manila hemp or synthetic fibre. Means to prevent chafing shall be
provided where necessary. Proper size blocks to accommodate the rope shall be
used. Fibre rope shall be protected where acid or any other harmful or
corrosive agent or chemical is used. All fibre rope shall be stored in a dry
condition and in a dry place protected from the elements.
(ii) Fibre rope that is unsound in any way or
that shows the effects of severe wear, deterioration or abrasion shall not be
used and shall be removed from the job site. Frozen rope shall be thawed before
being used.
(3) Wire
rope.
(i) Wire rope shall be so handled and
stored as to prevent kinks and shall be maintained lubricated to prevent
corrosion. Wire rope that is kinked shall not be used on any material hoist.
Wire rope shall be discarded and replaced when more than 10 percent of the
total wires of any lay are broken. A rope lay is that distance measured along
the rope in which one strand makes a complete revolution around the rope axis.
Wire rope shall be discarded and replaced when the wires on the crown of the
strand are worn down to less than 60 percent of their original cross-sectional
area, when visual inspection indicates marked signs of corrosion, deterioration
or abrasion and when any combination of broken wires and abrasion has reduced
the original strength of the rope to 80 percent or less.
(ii) The ends of wire rope shall be securely
attached to the hoist drums and at least four turns of rope shall remain on
each drum at all times.
Exception:
Attachment of the rope to the hoist drum shall not be
required on traction type hoists.
(iii) Means shall be provided to prevent
accidental contact with or damage to any hoisting rope. Such means shall
consist of substantial covering, fencing or guarding by location.
(4) Wire rope fastenings.
(i) Wire rope fastenings shall consist of
zinc-filled sockets, wedge sockets with at least one rope clip above each
socket, eye-splices with pear-shaped thimbles to fit the rope, proper size
thimbles with rope clips or other approved fastenings.
(ii) Where clips are used as fastenings, the
number used shall be in accordance with Table XVI of this Subpart.
(iii) The spacing between clips shall be at
least six times the diameter of the rope. The U-bolts of clips shall be placed
over the short ends of the ropes.
TABLE XVI ROPE CLIP REQUIREMENTS
| Rope diameter |
Minimum number of
clips |
| Up to and including 7/16 inch |
2 |
| Up to and including 5/8 inch |
3 |
| Up to and including 1 inch |
4 |
| Up to and including 1 1/4 inches |
5 |
| Up to and including 1 5/8 inches |
6 |
| Up to and including 1 3/4 inches |
7 |
| Up to and including 2 1/2 inches |
8 |
| Up to and including 3 inches |
9 |
(b)
Sheaves.
Load-bearing sheaves for wire rope shall be of proper
diameter and grooving to accommodate the rope but in no case shall such
diameter be less than 20 times the diameter of the rope. Sheaves shall be
maintained properly lubricated. Sheaves and blocks that are so excessively
worn, damaged, deteriorated or otherwise defective as to cause or threaten to
cause failure of the equipment shall not be used. Sheaves intended for use with
fibre rope shall not be used with wire rope.
(c)
Fittings.
All hooks, shackles and other fittings subject to tension
or shear shall be drop-forged. The use of deformed or damaged hooks, shackles,
chains or other fittings is prohibited. All suspended pulley blocks, sheaves,
well wheels or similar devices shall be moused or securely fastened or safety
hooks shall be used.
(d)
Use of chains.
(1) Chains shall
not be used as slings in hoisting operations except for the raising or lowering
of wooden piles, large timbers, large pieces of masonry or large
stones.
(2) Chains shall not be
knotted nor shall they be shortened or spliced by the use of nails or
bolts.
(3) Defective chains shall
not be used.
(e)
Heat treating of chains.
The annealing or normalizing of chains shall be performed
only by the manufacturer or his authorized agent.
