Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part I - Department of Labor and Industry
Chapter 29 - MECHANICAL APPARATUS-MISCELLANEOUS
Subchapter C - MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
SPECIFICATIONS
Section 29.125 - Belt shifters and stopping devices

(a) Belt shifters. Shifters with handles shall be provided for all tight and loose pulleys. The shifter handle shall be located outside the guards. Tight and loose pulleys on all new installations made after February 16, 1929, shall be equipped with a permanent belt shifter provided with mechanical means to prevent the belt from creeping from the loose to the tight pulley.

(b) Location. Belt shifters shall be rounded and located as far as possible from danger of accidental contact but within easy reach of the operator. Operators shall be able to stop machines from any operating position. When belt shifters are not located directly over the machines or bench or over the passageway they shall be at least 6 feet from the floor.

(c) Locking device. Mechanical belt shifters shall be equipped with a positive locking device which shall be normally in the off position.

(d) Overhead shifters. Shifters and disengaging levers when suspended overhead shall be so balanced and hung that by their own weight the belt is kept on the loose pulley or in a disengaged position.

(e) Tighteners. Suspended counterbalanced tighteners and all of its parts shall be of substantial construction and securely fastened, and the bearing shall be securely capped. Means shall be provided to prevent tighteners from falling in case the belt breaks. This may be accomplished by securely fastening cables or chains of sufficient strength to the tightener and to the roof, or some substantial object above, to prevent it from falling far enough to strike a person.

(f) Encasing. When suspended counterweights are used in connection with belt tighteners and are not guarded by location they shall be so encased as to prevent accidents.