Subpart N - Helicopters, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors

Scope: This standard provides requirements for helicopters. 

Special Requirements: Briefings, plan of operation, tested, personal protective equipment, manufacturer's rating, signal systems, designated employee, communications, signalman, hand signals, authorized persons, references other standards

1926.551(a) - Helicopter regulations. Helicopter cranes shall be expected to comply with any applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.

1926.551(b) - Briefing. Prior to each day's operation a briefing shall be conducted. This briefing shall set forth the plan of operation for the pilot and ground personnel. 

1926.551(d) - Cargo hooks. All electrically operated cargo hooks shall have the electrical activating device so designed and installed as to prevent inadvertent operation. In addition, these cargo hooks shall be equipped with an emergency mechanical control for releasing the load. The hooks shall be tested prior to each day's operation to determine that the release functions properly, both electrically and mechanically. 

1926.551(e)(1) - Personal protective equipment for employees receiving the load shall consist of complete eye protection and hard hats secured by chinstraps. 

1926.551(j) - Static charge. Static charge on the suspended load shall be dissipated with a grounding device before ground personnel touch the suspended load, or protective rubber gloves shall be worn by all ground personnel touching the suspended load.

1926.551(k) - Weight limitation. The weight of an external load shall not exceed the manufacturer's rating. 

1926.551(n) - Signal systems. Signal systems between aircrew and ground personnel shall be understood and checked in advance of hoisting the load. This applies to either radio or hand signal systems. Hand signals shall be as shown in Figure N-1.

1926.551(p) - Approaching helicopter. Whenever approaching or leaving a helicopter with blades rotating, all employees shall remain in full view of the pilot and keep in a crouched position. Employees shall avoid the area from the cockpit or cabin rearward unless authorized by the helicopter operator to work there. 

1926.551(r) - Communications. There shall be constant reliable communication between the pilot, and a designated employee of the ground crew who acts as a signalman during the period of loading and unloading. This signalman shall be distinctly recognizable from other ground personnel.

Scope: This standard provides requirements for material hoists, personnel hoists and elevators.

Special Requirements: Inspections, tests, manufacturer specifications, professional engineer, competent person, certification record, rated load capacities (posted, hazard warnings (posted, instructions (posted), manufacturer recommendations, signature, recommended operating speeds (posted), operating rules (posted), maintenance, capacity/data plate, removed from service, painted bars/gates, markings, references other standards

1926.552(a)(1) - The employer shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of all hoists and elevators. Where manufacturer's specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the equipment shall be based on the determinations of a professional engineer competent in the field.

1926.552(a)(2) - Rated load capacities, recommended operating speeds, and special hazard warnings or instructions shall be posted on cars and platforms. 

1926.552(a)(3) - Wire rope shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exists: [Reference paragraph (a)(3)(i) - (iv)].

1926.552(a)(4) - Hoisting ropes shall be installed in accordance with the wire rope manufacturers' recommendations. 

1926.552(b)(1)  - Operating rules shall be established and posted at the operator's station of the hoist. Such rules shall include signal system and allowable line speed for various loads. Rules and notices shall be posted on the car frame or crosshead in a conspicuous location, including the statement "No Riders Allowed."

• 1926.552(b)(1)(ii) - No person shall be allowed to ride on material hoists except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance.

1926.552(b)(2) - All entrances of the hoistways shall be protected by substantial gates or bars which shall guard the full width of the landing entrance. All hoistway entrance bars and gates shall be painted with diagonal contrasting colors, such as black and yellow stripes.

1926.552(b)(7) - All material hoist towers shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer.

1926.552(b)(8) - All material hoists shall conform to the requirements of ANSI A10.5–1969, Safety Requirements for Material Hoists.

1926.552(c)(10) - Cars shall be provided with a capacity and data plate secured in a conspicuous place on the car or crosshead.

1926.552(c)(13) - An emergency stop switch shall be provided in the car and marked "Stop."

1926.552(c)(15) - Following assembly and erection of hoists, and before being put in service, an inspection and test of all functions and safety devices shall be made under the supervision of a competent person. A similar inspection and test is required following major alteration of an existing installation. All hoists shall be inspected and tested at not more than 3-month intervals. The employer shall prepare a certification record which includes the date the inspection and test of all functions and safety devices was performed; the signature of the person who performed the inspection and test; and a serial number, or other identifier, for the hoist that was inspected and tested. The most recent certification record shall be maintained on file.

1926.552(c)(16) - All personnel hoists used by employees shall be constructed of materials and components which meet the specifications for materials, construction, safety devices, assembly, and structural integrity as stated in the American National Standard A10.4–1963, Safety Requirements for Workmen's Hoists. The requirements of this paragraph (c)(16) do not apply to cantilever type personnel hoists.

1926.552(c)(17)(i) - Personnel hoists used in bridge tower construction shall be approved by a registered professional engineer and erected under the supervision of a qualified engineer competent in this field.

1926.552(c)(17)(iii) - These hoists shall be inspected and maintained on a weekly basis. Whenever the hoisting equipment is exposed to winds exceeding 35 miles per hour it shall be inspected and put in operable condition before reuse.

1926.552(c)(17)(iv) - Wire rope shall be taken out of service when any of the following conditions exist:  [Reference paragraph (c)(17)(iv)(A) - (E)].

1926.552(d) - Permanent elevators under the care and custody of the employer and used by employees for work covered by this Act shall comply with the requirements of American National Standards Institute A17.1–1965 with addenda A17.1a–1967, A17.1b–1968, A17.1c–1969, A17.1d–1970, and inspected in accordance with A17.2–1960 with addenda A17.2a–1965, A17.2b–1967.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for base-mounted hoists.

Special Requirements: Manufacturer requirements, references other standards

1926.553(a)(4) - All base-mounted drum hoists in use shall meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operations, as prescribed by the manufacturer.

1926.553(c) - This section does not apply to base-mounted drum hoists used in conjunction with derricks. Base-mounted drum hoists used in conjunction with derricks must conform to 1926.1436(e) - derricks - swingers and hoists.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for overhead hoists.

Special Requirements: Safe working load (indicated on hoist), manufacturer determination, manufacturer requirements

1926.554(a)(1) - The safe working load of the overhead hoist, as determined by the manufacturer, shall be indicated on the hoist, and this safe working load shall not be exceeded.

1926.554(a)(2) - The supporting structure to which the hoist is attached shall have a safe working load equal to that of the hoist.

1926.554(a)(6) - All overhead hoists in use shall meet the applicable requirements for construction, design, installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operation, as prescribed by the manufacturer.

Scope: This standard provides requirements for conveyors.

Special Requirements: Warning signal, tags, locked out, maintenance, inspections, signs, markings, testing, references other standards

1926.555(a)(1) - Means for stopping the motor or engine shall be provided at the operator's station. Conveyor systems shall be equipped with an audible warning signal to be sounded immediately before starting up the conveyor.

1926.555(a)(6) - All crossovers, aisles, and passageways shall be conspicuously marked by suitable signs, as required by subpart G  - signs, signals, and barricades, of this part (1926)

1926.555(a)(7) - Conveyors shall be locked out or otherwise rendered inoperable, and tagged out with a "Do Not Operate" tag during repairs and when operation is hazardous to employees performing maintenance work.

1926.555(a)(8) - All conveyors in use shall meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation, as prescribed in the ANSI B20.1–1957, Safety Code for Conveyors, Cableways, and Related Equipment.