Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 053 - Workforce Services, Department of
Sub-Agency 0013 - OSHA - Oil & Gas Well Services
Chapter 6 - EQUIPMENT
Section 6-2 - Hoisting Lines, Wire Ropes, Fiber Ropes and Chains

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 6-2

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) A dead-line anchor for a hoisting line (wire rope) shall be so constructed, installed and maintained that its strength shall at least equal the working strength of the hoisting line.

(b) Every hoisting line (wire rope) used in servicing operations shall have a minimum safety factor of three (3), determined as follows:

Safety B (Nominal breaking point of the wire rope in pounds) Factor W (Calculated total static load in pounds)

(i) A minimum safety factor of two (2) shall be permitted only in the following operations:
(A) On rotary drilling line when setting casing; or

(B) When pulling on stuck pipe and similar infrequent operations.

(c) All hoisting lines (wire rope) shall be visually inspected by a competent person of the servicing rig daily and shall be thoroughly inspected at least each 30 days. Any wire rope shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exist:

(i) When wire lines are found to have four (4) percent of the total number of wires composing such wire broken in one lay;

(ii) When marked corrosion appears;

(iii) When corroded or broken wires at end connections are noted;

(iv) When end connections are corroded cracked, bent, worn or improperly applied; or

(v) When evidence of kinking, crushing, cutting or unstranding are noted.

(d) The wire rope (wire line) manufacturer's recommendations shall be utilized.

(e) On any drum on which a hoisting line (wire rope) is wound, the end of the hoisting line (wire rope) shall be fastened securely to the drum.

(i) When the wire rope is in the fully extended position there shall be at least three wraps on the drum to provide sufficient snubbing action.

(f) The hoisting line (wire rope) shall not be removed from the drum until:

(i) The traveling blocks are laid down; or

(ii) The traveling blocks are held suspended by a separate wire rope or chain of equivalent strength.

(g) The hoisting line (wire rope) shall not be in direct contact with any derrick member, any stationary equipment or material in the derrick, except the crown block and any traveling block sheaves, a line spooler, a line stabilizer, weight indicator or dead line anchor.

(h) Every overhead sheave or pulley which a line spooler counterweight rope runs shall be fastened securely to its support.

(i) Chains.

(i) The practice of placing bolts or nails between two links to shorten chains is prohibited.

(ii) Splicing or repairing broken chains shall be accomplished by use of repair devices approved by the manufacturer. The use of welding, brazing, bolts, wire, nails and other such methods or devices is prohibited.

(j) Winches and cables.

(i) Cable shall be in good repair. When respooling, care shall be used to avoid kinking. Cable clamps and thimbles, properly installed, shall be used.

(ii) Personnel shall not stand near, step over or go under a cable while it is under tension.

(k) Chain used in connection with servicing or production operations shall be suitable for the type of service.

(l) Any chain shall be discarded or repaired if it has been stretched to the point where links bind, kink, lock or it has been broken.

(m) Fiber ropes cut, frayed (through one or more lays) or that have been in contact with caustic acid, or any other chemical that might weaken them, shall be replaced immediately.

(n) Cable clamps shall be installed according to the chart in the Rigger's Handbook.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wyoming may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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