Subpart H - Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal

Subpart H provides the requirements for storage, rigging equipment for material handling and disposal of waste materials.

To learn if subpart H applies to you, go to Does "Subpart H - Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal" Apply to You?

Special Requirements

Tab/Accordion Items

Scope: This standard provides the general requirements pertaining to storage of materials. 

Special Requirements: Safe load limits, post load limits, references other standards

1926.250(a)(2)(i) - The weight of stored materials on floors within buildings and structures shall not exceed maximum safe load limits.

1926.250(a)(2)(ii) - Employers shall conspicuously post maximum safe load limits of floors within buildings and structures, in pounds per square foot, in all storage areas, except when the storage area is on a floor or slab on grade. Posting is not required for storage areas in all single-family residential structures and wood-framed multi-family residential structures.

1926.250(b)(2) - Each employee required to work on stored material in silos, hoppers, tanks, and similar storage areas shall be equipped with personal fall arrest equipment meeting the requirements of subpart M - fall protection of this part (1926).

Scope: This standard provides the requirements pertaining to rigging equipment for material handling.

Special Requirements: Inspections, markings/marked, proof-tested, safe working load, competent person, identification, rated capacity, records, manufacturer recommendations, certificate of proof test, tests

1926.251(a)(1) - Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service.
 
1926.251(a)(2) - Employers must ensure that rigging equipment:
  • 1926.251(a)(2)(i) - Has permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicate the recommended safe working load;
  • 1926.251(a)(2)(ii) - Not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed on the identification markings by the manufacturer; and
  • 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) - Not be used without affixed, legible identification markings, required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
1926.251(a)(4) - Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps, or other lifting accessories, for such units as modular panels, prefabricated structures and similar materials, shall be marked to indicate the safe working loads and shall be proof-tested prior to use to 125 percent of their rated load.
 
1926.251(a)(6) - Slings. Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.
 
1926.251(b)(1) - Welded alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and sling manufacturer.
 
1926.251(b)(2) - Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear-shaped links, welded or mechanical coupling links, or other attachments, when used with alloy steel chains, shall have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the chain.
 
1926.251(b)(4) - Employers must not use alloy steel-chain slings with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the sling by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer.
 

1926.251(b)(6)(i) - In addition to the inspection required by other paragraphs of this section, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of: [Reference paragraph (b)(6)(i)(a) - (d)].

1926.251(b)(6)(ii) - The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination.
 
1926.251(c)(1) - Employers must not use improved plow-steel wire rope and wire-rope slings with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the sling by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer.
 
1926.251(c)(14) - Safe operating temperatures. Fiber core wire rope slings of all grades shall be permanently removed from service if they are exposed to temperatures in excess of 200 °F (93.33 °C). When nonfiber core wire rope slings of any grade are used at temperatures above 400 °F (204.44 °C) or below minus 60 °F (15.55 °C), recommendations of the sling manufacturer regarding use at that temperature shall be followed.
 
1926.251(c)(15)(ii) - All welded end attachments shall not be used unless proof tested by the manufacturer or equivalent entity at twice their rated capacity prior to initial use. The employer shall retain a certificate of the proof test, and make it available for examination.
 
1926.251(c)(16) - Wire rope slings shall have permanently affixed, legible identification markings stating size, rated capacity for the type(s) of hitch(es) used and the angle upon which it is based, and the number of legs if more than one.
 

1926.251(d)(1) - Employers must not use natural- and synthetic-fiber rope slings with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the sling by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer.

1926.251(d)(2) - All splices in rope slings provided by the employer shall be made in accordance with fiber rope manufacturers recommendations.

1926.251(d)(3) - Safe operating temperatures. Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings, except for wet frozen slings, may be used in a temperature range from minus 20 °F (-28.88 °C) to plus 180 °F (82.2 °C) without decreasing the working load limit. For operations outside this temperature range and for wet frozen slings, the sling manufacturer's recommendations shall be followed.

1926.251(d)(4) - Splicing. Spliced fiber rope slings shall not be used unless they have been spliced in accordance with the following minimum requirements and in accordance with any additional recommendations of the manufacturer: [Reference paragraph (d)(4)(i) - (vii)].

1926.251(d)(7) - Employers must use natural- and synthetic-fiber rope slings that have permanently affixed and legible identification markings that state the rated capacity for the type(s) of hitch(es) used and the angle upon which it is based, type of fiber material, and the number of legs if more than one.

1926.251(e)(1) - The employer shall have each synthetic web sling marked or coded to show: [Reference paragraph (e)(1)(i) - (iii)].

1926.251(f)(1) - Employers must not use shackles with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the shackle by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer.

1926.251(f)(2) - The manufacturer's recommendations shall be followed in determining the safe working loads of the various sizes and types of specific and identifiable hooks. All hooks for which no applicable manufacturer's recommendations are available shall be tested to twice the intended safe working load before they are initially put into use. The employer shall maintain a record of the dates and results of such tests.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements pertaining to the disposal of waste materials. 

Special Requirements: Signs, references other standards (regulations)

1926.252(b) - When debris is dropped through holes in the floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42 inches high and not less than 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above. Signs warning of the hazard of falling materials shall be posted at each level. Removal shall not be permitted in this lower area until debris handling ceases above.

1926.252(d) - Disposal of waste material or debris by burning shall comply with local fire regulations.
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