Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 38, September 21, 2024
(a) Belts
located 6 feet or less above the floor or working platform shall be guarded
except for the following:
(1) Vertical belts
fastened with approved fasteners.
(2) Horizontal or inclined single ply belts
less than 2 inches in width and double ply belts less than 1 1/2 inches in
width if the belts are fastened with approved fasteners.
(3) Belts located within the frame of the
machine and guarded by position.
(4) Horizontal or inclined belts so located
that the run of the belt is guarded by position.
(5) Belts and pulleys of grinding machines
used in the manufacture of aluminum or bronze powder if they are guarded by one
of the following methods:
(i) Eliminate metal
lacers in belts and guard pinch point of pulley and belt.
(ii) Eliminate metal lacers and provide in
lieu of pinch point guard a belt shifter which is of a type that in itself
protects the pinch point of pulley and belt.
(6) Horizontal or inclined belts, not
including transmission or machine driving belts, running or pulleys less than 4
feet center to center and laced with approved fasteners, when there is a danger
from fire through the accumulation of fly or lint.
(b) Overhead belts, ropes and chains running
over passageways or machines shall be guarded when, in the judgment of the
Department, sufficient hazard exists.
(c) Cotton or fabric belts whenever used
shall be guarded.
(d) When the
guards for pulleys, sheaves or sprockets carrying vertical or inclined belts,
ropes or chains which run through the floor or working platform are located
more than 4 feet above the floor on working platform belt, ropes or chains
shall be guarded.
(e) All ropes or
chains located 6 feet or less above the floor or working platform shall be
guarded, except for the following:
(1)
Vertical ropes or chains.
(2) Ropes
or chains located within the frame of the machine and guarded by
position.
(3) Horizontal or
inclined ropes or chains so located that the run of the rope or chain is
guarded by position.
(4) When there
is a danger from fire through an accumulation of fly or lint, horizontal or
inclined ropes or chains, not including transmission or machine driving ropes
or chains, running on pulleys or sprockets less than four feet center to
center.
(f) American and
Continuous System Rope drives, so located that the conditions of the rope,
particularly the splice, cannot be constantly and conveniently observed, shall
be equipped with a telltale device, preferably electric bell type that gives a
warning when the rope begins to fray.
(g) The guarding of belts, ropes and chains
shall be by one of the following methods:
(1)
Vertical belts, ropes and chains when required to be guarded shall be enclosed
to the upper pulley, sheave or sprocket guard or to a height of at least 6 feet
from the floor or working platform when the guard is not more than 4 inches
from the belt, rope or chain at any point, or to a height of 5 feet if it is
between 4 inches and 12 inches from the belt, rope or chain at any point.
Guarding by standard railing may be used when approved by the Department if the
railing is at least 15 inches but not over 20 inches from the belt, rope or
chain at all points.
(2) Inclined
belts, ropes and chains shall be arranged in such a manner that a minimum
clearance of 6 feet 6 inches is maintained between the belt, rope, or chain,
and the floor at any point outside the guard.
(3) Horizontal belts, ropes, and chains shall
be guarded as follows:
(i) Horizontal belts,
ropes and chains shall be guarded to a height of at least 6 feet or to the top
run of the belt, rope or chain. This guard may be an enclosure on all
unprotected sides or a standard railing, when approved by the Department,
placed at least 15 inches and not more than 20 inches from the belt, rope or
chain at all points.
(ii) When the
upper and lower runs of horizontal belts, ropes or chains are so located that
passage of persons between them would be possible, passage shall be according
to any of the following:
(A) Completely barred
by standard guardrails or other barriers.
(B) When passage is regarded as necessary
there shall be a platform over the lower run guarded on either side by a
complete railing, completely filled with wire mesh or other filler, or by a
solid barrier. The upper run shall be guarded to prevent contact either by the
worker or by objects carried by him.
(4) Overhead belts, ropes and chains shall be
guarded as follows:
(i) Horizontal and
inclined belts, ropes or chains shall be guarded the entire run of the belt,
rope or chain and follow the run of the pulley to the ceiling or to be carried
to the nearest wall.
(ii) Vertical
belts, ropes and chains running over a lower pulley more than 6 feet above the
floor or working platform shall be guarded around the bottom and up to a
distance equal to a height of half the distance between pulleys.
