§ 25.53. Platforms and footwalks.
(a) Changing truck wheels. Platforms shall be provided for changing and repairing truck wheels on end trucks.
(b) Access to crane cages. A platform or footwalk shall be located on the crane or crane runway to give access to the crane cage, and it shall be accessible from one or more stairways or fixed ladders. This platform or footwalk may be not less than 18 inches wide.
(c) Stairways and ladders. When stairways are used to give access to platforms they shall make an angle of not more than 50° with the horizontal and shall be equipped with substantial railing. If ladders are used to give access to platforms, they may extend not less than 36 inches above the platform. Railed stairways or ladders used as means of ingress and egress to crane cages shall be located so as to prevent the operator or other persons from coming into contact with live lines feeding runway or other parts of the crane equipment.
(d) Footwalks—clearances. A footwalk shall be placed along the entire length of the bridge on the motor side, and a short platform twice the length of the trolley placed at one end of the girder on the opposite side, with a vertical clearance of at least 6 feet 6 inches when the design of the crane or building permits, but in no case shall there be less than 4 feet clearance. For hand operated cranes, the footwalk may not be required to be installed on the bridge of the crane, but there shall be a repair platform, equal in strength and design to that required for motor operated cranes, installed on the wall of the building or supported by the crane runway at a height equal to the lower edge of the bridge girder to facilitate necessary repairs.
(e) Width of footwalks. Clear width of footwalks shall be not less than 18 inches except around the bridge motor where it may be reduced to 15 inches.
(f) Construction. Footwalks for outside service shall be constructed so as to provide proper drainage, but the openings between the boards, sections of metal decking or floor plates shall not be wider than 1/4 inch.
(g) Railings and toeboards. Railings and toeboards shall conform with the following:
(1) Railings shall be capable of safely sustaining a vertical load of 80 pounds per linear foot and a horizontal thrust of 25 pounds per linear foot.
(2) The suggested inside diameter for pipe railings may not be less than 1 1/4 inches.
(3) Railings may be not less than 42 inches in height, with an additional rail midway between the top rail and the floor.
(4) Pipe railings may be not less than 1 1/4 inches inside diameter if of iron or be not less than 1 1/2 inches outside diameter if of brass tubing.
(5) Posts or uprights shall be spaced not more than 8 feet center to center.
(6) Toeboards shall be not less than 6 inches in height.
(7) Toeboards shall be constructed so as to be permanent and made of metal, wood or other substantial material. If made of wood, toeboards shall be at least equal in cross section to 1 inch by 6 inches; if made of steel at least 1/8 inch by 6 inches; and if made of other construction at least equal to the requirements for steel. Perforations up to 1/2 inch are permissible in metal toeboards.
(h) Openings between footwalks and crane girders. No opening shall be permitted between the bridge footwalk and the crane girders. If wire mesh is used to fill this opening, the mesh openings shall not be greater than 1/2 inch.
(i) Platform strength. All footwalks and platforms shall be designed so as to be capable of sustaining a uniformly distributed live load of 100 pounds per square foot.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 25.51 (relating to scope).
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