North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 13 - LABOR
Chapter 07 - OFFICE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Subchapter F - STANDARDS
Section .0600 - COMMUNICATION TOWER STANDARDS
Section 07F .0607 - HOISTS AND GIN POLES

(A) Wire rope, slings, chains, shackles, turnbuckles, links, hooks, sheaves, rotating rooster heads, blocks, and hoists, used in a gin pole lifting arrangement shall meet the manufacturer's safe working load limits. In addition, each component shall have a nominal breaking strength of no less than five times the static load applied. Consideration for end fitting losses and actual positioning of connecting parts shall be given;

(B) Lugs or other devices for lifting or attaching the gin pole in position shall be designed with load and resistance factors appropriate for their intended use;

(C) Only alloy chains marked by the manufacturer with an 8, T, or an A, rated for lifting, shall be used;

(D) Only quenched and tempered hooks and shackles shall be used. The manufacturer's load rating shall be stamped on the product; and

(E) The breaking strength of the sheave shall equal or exceed the breaking strength of the wire rope intended for the sheave.

(A) A user's gin pole load chart shall be provided for each pole;

(B) Any special engineered pick, which is outside of the load chart, shall only be allowed at the direction of a licensed professional engineer. Monitoring and measuring conditions, as specified by a licensed professional engineer, shall be provided and used during all special engineered picks;

(C) Modifications or repairs of a gin pole shall be made with like or similar materials to meet or exceed the original specifications. Modifications or repairs shall be recertified by a licensed professional engineer; and

(D) There shall be a mechanism in place to prevent the gin pole from tipping during the jumping process.

(A) Compatible with the sheaves of the rooster head and hoisting blocks;

(B) Lubricated in accordance to manufacturer specifications to prevent corrosion and wear;

(C) End connections shall be terminated per industry and manufacturer's specifications;

(D) Wedge sockets shall have a minimum tail length of one rope lay with a properly torqued clip attached to prevent accidental disengagement; and

(E) Flemish eyes shall contain heavy duty thimbles of appropriate size for the wire rope diameter, and shall have a minimum tail length of one rope lay secured with a properly torqued clip at its end.

(A) Gin poles shall have a documented inspection annually by a qualified person;

(B) In addition to the annual inspection, the employer shall designate a competent person who shall visually inspect the gin pole and rigging prior to each use, and during use, to make sure it is in safe operating condition. Any deficiencies shall be repaired before use continues;

(C) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect the legs and bracing members for bends or distortion;

(D) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect the straightness tolerances for the overall assembly (including leg and bracing members);

(E) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall visually inspect the welds for quality, deformation, cracks, rust, or pitting or loss of cross sectional area;

(F) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect the members for excessive rust or pitting or loss of cross sectional area;

(G) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect the sling attachment points for distortion, wear, cracks, and rust;

(H) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall ensure that proper bolts are utilized and all associated hardware is in good condition;

(I) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect side plates on rooster heads for distortion or other damage;

(J) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall inspect all attachment hardware, including rigging and parts such as cables, slings, and sling attachment points, shackles, hooks, and sockets for wear, distortion, cracks, and rust; and

(K) During each inspection, the qualified or competent person shall ensure that all problems identified during the inspection are corrected before placing the gin pole into service.