Subchapter A. SAFE PRACTICES
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
39.1. Definition of ‘‘establishment.’’
39.2. Applicability.
39.3. Purposes.
39.4. Effect.
39.5. Penalty.
REQUIREMENTS
39.11. Removal and replacement of guards.
39.12. Operating rules.
RECOMMENDATIONS
39.21. Machinery—general precautions.
39.22. Yard and internal housekeeping.
39.23. Handtools.
39.24. Machine tools.
39.25. Apparel.
39.26. Electrical hazards.
39.27. Handling objects by hand.
39.28. Cranes.
39.29. Conveyors, hand and automotive vehicles.
39.30. Dusts, gases, and volatile liquids.
39.31. Elevators.
39.32. Explosives.
39.33. Construction.
39.34. Report of accidents.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter A issued under act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 174) (43 P. S. § § 25-1—25-15), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter A adopted June 14, 1930, amended through August 1, 1968, unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 39.1. Definition of ‘‘establishment.’’
When used in this subchapter, the work ‘‘establishment’’ shall mean any place within this Commonwealth where work is done for compensation, to whomever payable, supervision over which is given by statute to the Department.
§ 39.2. Applicability.
This subchapter applies to all establishments within this Commonwealth.
§ 39.3. Purposes.
This subchapter sets forth rules and recommendations to safeguard the lives, limbs, and health of workers in all establishments within this Commonwealth.
§ 39.4. Effect.
The safe practices described in this subchapter largely conform to common sense and are aimed at a considerable reduction of industrial accidents. Those requirements using the terminology ‘‘shall’’ rather than ‘‘should’’ are enforceable as mandatory requirements, subject to the penalty prescribed in § 39.5 (relating to penalty).
§ 39.5. Penalty.
Any person who violates this subchapter or any regulations of the Department or who interferes with the Department or its duly authorized representative in the enforcement of these provisions or regulations shall be subject to summary proceedings before an alderman, magistrate or district justice, and upon conviction shall be penalized under section 15 of act of May 18, 1937 (No. 174) (43 P. S. § 25-15).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 39.4 (relating to effect).
REQUIREMENTS
§ 39.11. Removal and replacement of guards.
Under section 6 of act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 174) (43 P. S. § 25-6), no person shall remove or make ineffective any safeguard, safety appliance, or device attached to machinery or guarding a hazardous condition except to immediately make repairs or adjustments; and any person who removes or makes ineffective any such safeguard, safety appliance, or device, for repairs or adjustments, shall replace it or its equal immediately upon the completion of such repairs or adjustments.
§ 39.12. Operating rules.
(a) The hand dressing of belts while they are driving machinery is prohibited.
(b) Belts shall not be placed on pulleys or taken off pulleys by direct hand method while the pulleys are in motion.
(c) The cleaning and oiling of machinery while in motion is prohibited in all places where exposure to hazardous contact is involved.
RECOMMENDATIONS
§ 39.21. Machinery—general precautions.
(a) No wrench or other tool should be left on a lathe chuck when the operator leaves a machine, as someone else may start the machine and be injured by the object flying off.
(b) In order to avoid accidental injury, no employe should engage a fellow worker in conversation while either is operating a hazardous machine.
(c) No employe should attempt to operate any machine or apparatus unless he is familiar with its operation, and has been so directed by the foreman or other authorized person.
(d) Extra hazardous operations should have watchmen stationed to warn all persons who may be endangered, especially where overhead operations are being carried on.
§ 39.22. Yard and internal housekeeping.
(a) Clear travelways. All roadways, walkways, aisles, or other foot, crane, or vehicular travelways should be clearly marked or otherwise well defined. They should be kept in good repair and free from all debris and obstacles. All walkways above the level of the ground shall be equipped with railings and toeboards in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 47, Subchapter G (relating to railings, toeboards, open-sided floors, platforms, and runways). All aisles, emergency exits, and other passageways should be kept clear of tools or material of any kind.
(b) Slipping hazards. Puddles or drippings of oil, grease, water, or other liquids should be rendered harmless by mopping up and strewing sand or sawdust on the floor until the floor is dry. Oil-soaked sawdust should be disposed of promptly to prevent spontaneous ignition. Drippings on floors should be prevented by eliminating the cause or by placing drip pans in position until the cause is eliminated.
(c) Falling tools. Workmen working at elevated levels should not strew their tools about carelessly. Tools should be carried in tool belts or kept in tool boxes when not in actual use. The practice of throwing tools from one level to another should be discouraged. They should be raised or lowered with light ropes or passed from hand to hand. The practice of working above unsheltered workmen should be actively discouraged at all times. Tools or material should never be piled or leaned against anything.
(d) Piling of materials. Materials should be piled as follows:
(1) General. All material needing to be piled should be carefully piled to prevent falling. When piling material near travelways, special care should be exercised to eliminate any possible hazard from piles being knocked over. Piles should not extend into travelways.
(2) Light. Piles of material should not interfere with the adequate distribution of natural or artificial light, but should comply with Chapter 27 (relating to lighting).
(3) Height and extent. Material should not be piled to a height which would render the pile unstable or which would interfere with the operation of a sprinkler system. Piles should not be placed so close to equipment as to hinder operators in the proper operation of their machines or expose them to hazard from slides or falls of material.
(4) Binding. Wherever possible the stability of piles should be increased by piling alternate layers crosswise or, in the case of long piles, by criss-crossing at the ends or using binder strips.
(5) Round objects. Piles of barrels, rolls of paper, pipe or other cylindrical material should be carefully blocked at the center and at both ends to prevent spreading.
(6) Bags. In piling heavy bagged material the first four end bags of each pile should be cross-tied and a step-back of one bag should be made at every fifth bag in height. All bags in the outer tiers should have the mouths facing the center of the pile so that if any bags break open at the neck the pile will sag toward the center. In unpiling, the piles should be kept at an approximately even height and the necessary step-back maintained.
(7) Retaining walls. Walls or partitions should not be used to brace piled materials unless of sufficient known strength to withstand the pressure.
(8) Piles of loose materials. Substantial retaining walls or partitions should be provided for the storage of loose coal, sand, gravel, stone, or similar materials in restricted areas, and wherever possible, such loose materials and scrap should be kept in storage bins.
(9) Sides and undermining. Persons working about banks and piles of coal, sand, gravel, stone, or similar materials should avoid undermining to start slides and insure that no person is in danger from any slides of material. All overhanging ledges should be knocked down as soon as formed, especially in winter when the upper crusts are likely to become frozen.
(10) Loading vehicles. Material piled on vehicles for transportation should be limited to an amount which constitutes a safe load based on the distance it is to be transported, the type of equipment used, and the character of the surface over which it is to be transported. Material should be so piled and secured that it cannot be jarred loose by ordinary vibration. The load should not project to an extent which renders it liable to catch on buildings or projecting piles or which would cause the load to topple over. Highway motor vehicles should have all load projections which extend beyond the body of the vehicle in the front or the rear, conspicuously marked by a piece of red material in daylight and a red light at night attached at the farthest points of projection in front and rear. The combined overall length, width, height, and weight of motor vehicles and loads should conform to the 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to Vehicle Code).
(11) Elevators and loaded trucks. When loaded trucks are moved on or off an elevator, the elevator should be brought level with the floor and plates should be used to bridge the space between the elevator and the floor if such space creates a tipping hazard.
(e) Clear travelways and work places. Loose-board material and other objects or materials should not be permitted to remain strewn haphazardly on the floor or ground in places where persons have to walk or work, but should be piled up neatly. No loose material of any description should be permitted to remain unsecured in an overhead position.
(f) Nails. Nails should conform to the following:
(1) Loose nails should not be permitted to remain strewn on any floor, scaffold, working platform or other place where persons walk.
(2) All upturned or protruding nails should be withdrawn or clinched into the wood.
(3) After the head of a barrel is removed, all exposed or protruding nails around the top should be withdrawn.
(4) Pointless nails should be used for core room and foundry work.
(g) Sharp edged scrap. All objects with sharp edges, such as scraps of glass, tin, sheet metal, and the like, should not be thrown into waste baskets or other containers ordinarily used for other debris, but should be placed in separate containers. Neither should such material be permitted to remain on floors except during operations normally resulting in its creation. In such cases, containers should be provided to catch such waste material as it drops from machines or benches and the floors should be frequently cleaned up each day to prevent accumulations.
(h) Cleaning up debris. All rags, waste paper, bits of broken lumber, excelsior, packing materials and other inflammable debris should be cleaned up daily from under workbenches, behind machines, and all other spaces, and be kept in suitably covered containers.
(i) Gummed or caked surfaces. Surfaces which become gummed or caked with accumulated dirt, paint, grease or other material creating a slipping hazard, should be scraped or otherwise kept clean. Snow and ice should be promptly removed from all walkways and work places. Icicles hanging over walkways and work places should be knocked down.
(j) Dust elimination. Dry sweeping in workrooms should be permitted only where there is no dust hazard or where the nature of the work performed precludes the use of other methods; otherwise, all floors should be sprinkled with water before sweeping. The use of disinfecting solutions in the water is also recommended. The practice of using damp sawdust or other wetted materials is acceptable in lieu of sprinkling water, especially around electric equipment where the use of water might create a hazard.
(k) Spitting. In order to prevent the spread of infection, the practice of spitting on the floor, on piles of material, in waste products, in corners, or in reservoirs of machine cutting oils or compounds should not be permitted. All machine-cutting oils or compounds should be frequently sterilized by boiling or by the addition of a germ-killing solution. Persons subject to sores or susceptible to skin irritations, should not operate a machine using cutting oils or compounds.
(l) Refuse containers. Covered refuse cans or boxes should be provided at convenient points and workmen required to deposit all refuse in such cans or boxes. Such cans or boxes should be emptied frequently enough to prevent overflow or the creation of obnoxious odors. Separate containers equipped with gravity closing lids should be provided for oily waste. Oily waste should be burned only by an authorized person equipped with a long handled tool or shovel for handling such waste.
§ 39.23. Handtools.
(a) General. Handtools should only be used if in a safe condition. If unsafe conditions are discovered, they should be immediately reported to the foreman, who shall have them corrected.
(b) Handles. Wooden handles of handtools should be of the best straight-grained material. Handles which become excessively burned or worn, or which are cracked or badly splintered should be removed from service. Reference should also be made to subsection (e).
(c) Heads. When repaired in the shop where used, the heads of all handtools requiring handles, except blacksmith tools, should be substantially fastened to the handles by experienced persons in order to eliminate the hazard of improperly fastened heads flying off. No tools or stencils with mushroomed heads should be permitted in service. This applies to tools owned by the workmen themselves as well as company tools.
(d) Storage. No handtools should be permitted to lie on the floor, ground, or working platform when not in use for any length of time, but should be kept in the proper receptacles or storage places. Axes, hatchets, adzes or knives should be placed in receptacles provided for the purpose. For temporary purposes only, the cutting edge of the tool should be driven into a flat in places where persons will not trip over them or lodged vertically in corners or racks where they timber far enough to hold the tool in an upright position.
(e) Specific tools. Specific tools should also conform to the following:
(1) Striking handtools. Handtools should always be struck with wooden, soft metal, rawhide or rubber hammers or mallets if the part receiving the blow is case hardened or tempered. Such hammers or mallets should also be used where inflammable or explosive gases or vapors are present. Sheets of brass or other soft metal may be used to receive blows, but should not be battered to an extent which would create a hazard of flying particles. Hand striking tools which show any signs of cracking should be removed immediately from service. Hammers and hatchets with corrugated driving faces for driving flat-headed nails should not be used for driving brads or nails with rounded heads because of the increased hazard of flying nails. A machinist’s hammer should not be used for driving nails, and a carpenter’s hammer should not be used for machine work.
(2) Wrenches. Wrenches should conform to the following:
(i) All wrenches should properly fit the nuts, bolts, or other objects they are used to turn. Unless closed wrenches are used, the practice of using thin pieces of material as shims to make an oversize wrench fit should not be permitted. A wrench should be put on so that the jaws do not spread and cause slippage.
(ii) Wrenches should not be used as hammers.
(iii) The use of wrenches which have excessively worn threads, nuts, or pawls, or battered or defective jaws or handles should be prohibited.
(iv) The practice of tightening bolts, nuts, clamps or other fixtures on moving machine parts with wrenches while the machine is in motion should be prohibited.
(v) Monkey wrenches should always be placed on the objects to be turned so that the wrench faces forward in the same direction that the handle is to turn.
(vi) Safety release or ratchet-type wrenches should be used only in opening drop bottom cars or wagons.
(3) Keen edged or pointed tools. Care should be exercised in the use of adzes or draw knives to insure that no part of the body is close enough to the point being worked on to be endangered by a slip of the tool. When cutting with a hand knife, the direction of the cut should always be away from the body. Keen edged or pointed tools, such as axes, hatchets, adzes, saws, knives, chisels, bits, lineman climbers, or similar tools should not be carried in a manner which endangers the bearer or persons passing him, nor should a long screw driver or other pointed tool project from a pocket when carried.
(4) Files. All hand files should be provided with handles. The tine of a file should not be used as a center punch.
(5) Wood chisels. Wood chisels should be provided with substantial handles. If struck with mallets, a metal or leather band should be placed at the end of the handle to prevent spreading.
(6) Screwdrivers. Screwdrivers of proper sizes should be used at all times by workmen requiring them. Screwdrivers should not be used for purposes for which they were not intended. Those which are bent, or which have rounded corners or splintered handles should be removed from service. A screwdriver should never be held in one hand and the material being worked on in the other, as it may slip and injure hands.
(7) Picks, shovels, forks, bars, rakes, and hoes. Picks and shovels should always be stacked or struck into the ground so that the handles stand upright; horizontal storing should be permitted only where it creates no tripping hazard. The handle of a shovel should never be pushed on with one’s body, as this may cause one to rupture himself. Forks should be stacked or stuck into the ground so that the handles stand upright. They may also be hung, handles down, in pegs on walls. Rakes and hoes should always be stood or hung with the head off the ground and the handle pointing downward. Crowbars should always be laid flat in places where persons will not trip over them or else lodged vertically in corners or racks where they cannot fall over. Ordinary crowbars should not be used to move cars; specially adapted bars should be provided for this purpose. All dull or broken ended crowbars should be removed from service. When using a crow or pinchbar to move weights, the hands should be so placed that they cannot strike other objects as the bar moves under pressure.
(8) Compressed air tools. In the use of compressed air tools, care should be used to prevent the tool from being shot from the gun. When momentarily out of use, the gun should be laid in such position that the tool cannot fly out if the pressure is accidentally released. When not in use, all tools should be removed from the gun. In disconnecting a compressed air tool from the air line, care should be exercised first to shut off the pressure and then to operate the tool to exhaust the pressure remaining in the hose. Compressed air hose or guns should not be pointed at or brought into contact with any person.
§ 39.24. Machine tools.
(a) Punch presses. Punch press operators should not remove any safeguards without the permission of the foreman. The driving motor on punch presses shall be shut down before dies are changed, and power shears should be shut down before any adjustments are made on them. The motor of any machine should be shut down when unattended.
(b) Lathes. No chuck or face plate should be put on a lathe by power, nor should any chuck wrench or key be left in a chuck. When filing on a lathe, the file should be held so that if it is forced back it will not be forced against the user, but to one side. Filing should be left-handed with the right hand across stock when filing near the chuck end of a lathe.
(c) Drills. Any material to be drilled should be securely fastened, but never held by hand. Hands, cotton waste or rags should never be used to brush borings away from the work; a brush should always be employed for this purpose.
(d) Grinders. Any material to be ground should be held firmly against the steady rest in front of the wheel. Such steady rest should be properly adjusted and as near to the wheel as possible. The sides of emery wheels should never be used for grinding unless they are designed for side grinding.
(e) Air hammer. No air hammer should be laid down until the tool is removed from such hammer, unless the tool is held in place by a safety catch. It should be ascertained that the coupling of the air hose is secure.
§ 39.25. Apparel.
(a) General. Superfluous material and loose fitting clothing should be avoided in the presence of a hazard from moving machine parts. Excessively wide or long aprons should not be worn around moving machinery. Aprons should never be tied on with wire and should be but lightly secured, so that they may be easily torn loose by hand. In the presence of a fire hazard, aprons of nonflammable material should be used.
(b) Head coverings. Persons working in shops around machinery which presents a hair-catching hazard should wear caps or other types of head covering. Caps should also be worn if there is danger of the hair-catching fire. Caps with metal buttons or metal visors should not be worn around electrical hazards. Women working about machines should wear caps at all times.
(c) Footwear. For normal shop wear, shoes with unbroken soles and low or medium height broad heels should be used. If there is a possibility of heavy objects dropping on the feet, the toes should be boxed or reinforced. For hazardous occupations, such as the handling of hot metal, acids, caustics, electric current, and hot substances, or other objects offering a burning hazard to the feet, specially adapted types of footwear are available and should be worn.
(d) Leg protection. Protective leg covering (clothing or devices) should be worn when handling hot metals, acids, caustics or other hot or cold substances offering a burning or scalding hazard. The material of which they are made should be determined by the nature of the product being handled. Full length leg or body protection should be used if the nature of the operation presents a full length leg or body hazard. The method of fastening all protective leg covering should be such as to permit instantaneous removal.
(e) Hand or arm protection. Unless the hands come close to rotating or otherwise moving machine parts, gloves, mitts, hand pads, or other hand or arm protection should be worn when handling objects with sharp edges or which contain splinters, fins, slivers, or similar dangerous projecting parts. The material used and the shape and style of the gloves, mitts, or hand pads should be determined by the nature of the operation and the hazard against which it is desired to project. Gloves or other hand or arm protection against heat or fire, hot or corrosive substances, electricity or similar hazards, such as the handling of plates of glass, should be long enough to cover the space between the wrist and the end of the shirt or coat sleeve.
(f) Flammable attire. Articles of wearing apparel or personal adornment, including spectacle rims, collars, eye shades, or cap visors, composed principally of some form of cellulose should not be worn in the presence of a spark or fire hazard. Clothing rendered quickly flammable by grease or other substances should also not be worn by persons exposed to a fire hazard.
(g) Head and eye protection. Goggles or other forms of head and eye protection should be worn during the performance of all operations involving hazard to the head or eyes. Subchapter C (relating to head and eye protection) should also be complied with.
(h) Sterilization before interchange. The interchange of personal protective devices among employes without first having been sterilized should be avoided.
(i) Lifebelts. All persons working aloft should be required to wear lifebelts properly secured when exposed to a falling hazard.
(j) Special requirements for women. All industrial plants employing women should conform to the following, in addition to the other requirements of this section:
(1) Work dresses should suit the job to be safe.
(2) Jewelry should be prohibited on the job.
(3) Correct footwear should include well-fitted shoes with low heels and good soles. If the job requires it, safety shoes should be worn.
(4) Any industry employing women where exposures to hazard such as corrosive substances, alkalies, or acids, cuts, dermatitis, falling objects, falls or slips, flying particles, hot liquids, hot materials, moisture, punctures and blows, rough, sharp objects, or spark explosions exist should consult the Department in regard to proper clothing for their workers.
§ 39.26. Electrical hazards.
(a) General. Hands and tools should be kept away from all electric circuits and apparatus.
(b) Grounding for static. If static electricity exists, belts and rapidly moving parts of machines should be grounded. In the presence of explosive or flammable gases or dust, no metal lacings or metal plates for fastening belts should be used.
(c) Sparking motors. In gaseous or dusty locations, the hazard from sparking commutators should be eliminated by using an induction type of motor, or a type approved by the United States Bureau of Mines as explosion-proof.
(d) Drop and portable installations. Only heavy, reinforced cords, known in the trade as packing house or brewery cord, should be used in connection with portable lamps or tools. They should be kept well insulated and be so laid or strung as not to create a tripping or catching hazard. All electrical handtools and other drop or portable installations should be well insulated. They should be frequently inspected and tested for current leaks. All frayed cords or other unserviceable and hazardous parts should be immediately removed from service. Portable extension lights should be equipped with guards for the bulbs and sockets.
(e) Connected equipment. Electrically connected equipment should not be installed, repaired, or removed, except by trained electricians or workmen under their immediate personal supervision. If electrical hazards are encountered in the course of other work, such work should be stopped immediately until a trained electrician is available to supervise such work until the electrical hazards are removed.
(f) Pole and high tension work. Electricians working on poles or other places where a falling hazard exists should always wear safety belts. On high tension work rubber gloves should also be worn. The gloves should be tested to detect the presence of holes before each use.
(g) Open switch protection. If possible, no work should be performed on high voltage electrical equipment until the current is turned off. Switches which are opened for that purpose should be locked or blocked open and a suitable warning device placed on the switch.
(h) Water contact. No stream of water used for extinguishing a fire, cleaning, or other purposes should be permitted to come in contact with electrical equipment at any time. This does not apply to water-cooled bearings or similar equipment.
(i) Pulling fuses. Fuses should not be pulled with the bare hands. Rubber gloves or fibre fuse pullers should be used for this purpose.
(j) Rubber mats. Rubber mats should be placed in front of all switchboards and panelboards.
(k) Jokes. The dangerous practice of playing ‘‘electrical jokes’’ on fellow workers should be prohibited. Reference should be made to Subchapter B (relating to electric safety).
§ 39.27. Handling objects by hand.
(a) Material of length, such as pipe, lumber or ladders, when carried by one man, should be so carried that the front end is high enough to avoid striking persons approaching from around corners or from other projections.
(b) The carrying of very heavy objects by a gang of men should be personally supervised by the foreman or gang leader, who should be prepared at all times to assist, instruct, and prevent injury to new or inexperienced men in the gang. He should be responsible for developing distinct and separate signals for simultaneously lifting or dropping heavy objects by the gang.
(c) Heavy objects should not be handled on an incline without the use of ropes or other tackle in addition to the necessary chocks or wedges.
§ 39.28. Cranes.
(a) Employes should keep from under a load being swung, hoisted, lowered, or backed up. No person should ride on top of a crane bridge or carriage or on the load. A craneman should not move cranes with chains swinging full length, or while hookmen or others are in the way. The crane cable should not be held above the sheave block, as the fingers of the holder may be drawn into the block.
(b) The limit switch should not be depended on to stop the motor; the motor should be under control at all times. All controllers should be in the ‘‘off’’ position before opening or closing the main switch. If the power goes off, the controllers should be moved to the ‘‘off’’ position. When leaving the cab, an operator should throw the controllers to the ‘‘off’’ position and open the main switch.
§ 39.29. Conveyors, hand and automotive vehicles.
(a) Defective wheels. Vehicles with wheels or other parts that are broken, cracked, or otherwise defective should be removed from service until the defective parts have been repaired or replaced with parts free from defects.
(b) Wheel mounting. Whenever practical, the wheels of vehicles should be mounted on axles inside the frame of the vehicle or inside the bearing which attaches them to the vehicle.
(c) Hand trucks. Two-wheeled handtrucks should always be parked in a vertical position at racks which will prevent them from falling over or in a horizontal position at locations not used for travelways. Truck handles should not be left extended on the floor. Whenever the construction permits, they should be secured in an upright position by means of springs, weights or retaining hooks or latches.
(d) Suspended loads. The practice of working under suspended vehicles supported only by a light chain, rope or single block should not be permitted. Working or walking under any suspended load should also not be permitted.
(e) Magnets. Working or walking under a load suspended by an electric magnet is prohibited pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 25, Subchapter B (relating to cranes, booms and hoists).
(f) Counterweights. Where the possibility of contact with persons exists, all counterweights shall be enclosed sufficiently to prevent fouling or striking persons.
(g) Blocking. All trucks or other vehicles being loaded should be properly chocked or blocked if there is a possibility of the vehicle moving by gravity or from jars.
(h) Securing loads. All loads not fully contained or supported by the vehicle carrying them should be secured to the vehicle by chains, cables, ropes, blocks, chocks or other effective devices.
(i) Runways or ramps. Runways or ramps on which wheelbarrows and handtrucks are operated should be so constructed that the wheels run on solid boards and not on cracks between boards. Workmen should not be permitted or required to operate wheelbarrows or handtrucks over runways or ramps which have the entire surface cleated to prevent slipping. Sufficient smooth space should be left for the passage of the wheels.
(j) Exhaust from engines. Internal combustion engines should not be started or permitted to run in spaces which are not thoroughly ventilated unless the exhaust is piped to the outside air.
(k) Filling procedure. When filling the tank of any internal combustion engine, the nozzle of the hose should always be kept in direct contact with the tank being filled, and the engine should be stopped during the operation.
(l) Walking on conveyors. All persons should be forbidden to ride or walk on mechanical or gravity conveyors at any time, except that workmen engaged in repairing such conveyors should be permitted to mount them in the performance of their work if such conveyors are stopped. Separate oiling platforms should be required at all points requiring lubrication.
§ 39.30. Dusts, gases, and volatile liquids.
(a) Dusts. If dusts are likely to be present, there should be compliance with the following:
(1) The striking of matches; the smoking of cigars, cigarettes, or pipes; the use of open flames, open fire, open lights or arc-forming electrical equipment in the presence of explosive or inflammable gases or explosive organic or metallic dusts should not be permitted. The use of materials creating such dusts around electrical equipment should not be permitted unless such equipment is properly protected.
(2) All electric light globes shall be protected by a vapor-proof globe and guard in the presence of an inflammable or explosive dust hazard, as provided in Subchapter B (relating to electric safety).
(3) Extreme care should be exercised by all persons to prevent the introduction of metal parts into conveyor or disposal systems where an explosive dust hazard exists.
(4) Explosive metallic or organic dust should not be allowed to accumulate on floors, rafters, beams, machinery or other loading places from which it may be blown by vibration or air currents.
(b) Gases. If gases are present, there should be compliance with the following:
(1) The provisions of subsection (a)(1).
(2) Gas leaks should not be sought with matches, candles, or other open flame lights. Soapy water is an excellent detector of gas leaks.
(3) Where oxygen, acetylene, or similar gases piped from a central point are used in quantity at permanent work places, they should be piped to the point of usage in permanent tubing or piping.
(4) Grease or oil should not be used to lubricate the valves or joints of compressed gas containers. Acetylene should not be used at more than 15 pounds pressure per square inch. The valves of all containers should be tightly closed at all times when not actually in use, especially when connected with torches or other apparatus and particularly at the end of the daily work and on all supposedly empty containers.
(5) Containers of compressed gas should not be subjected to dropping, bumping, rough handling or temperature in excess of normal atmosphere. Such containers should always be maintained in a horizontal position unless cribs or racks are provided to prevent them from falling if maintained in an upright position.
(6) Compressed gas containers should not be permitted to remain in direct contact with sunlight during warm weather.
(c) Volatile liquids. The use of volatile liquids should conform to the following:
(1) The use of matches, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, open flame or fire-producing equipment should be prohibited in all places where inflammable or explosive volatile liquids or oils are stored, handled, or used. Leaky gasoline containers should not be soldered until all traces of gasoline vapor have been removed.
(2) Adequate ventilation should be applied to operations where toxic volatile liquids are used in cleaning or degreasing operations, particularly carbon tetrachloride, perchlorethylene and trichloroethylene. This requirement is not applicable if nonhazardous liquids or materials are used and it is strongly recommended that substitute safe means be employed.
(3) Tanks, pipes or drums used in the storage, handling or use of inflammable or explosive volatile liquids or oils should be properly grounded to carry off any static electricity which may be generated.
§ 39.31. Elevators.
(a) All landing doors or gates at the entrances to shaftways should be closed and locked when the car is not at such landings. This shall be accomplished in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 7 (relating to elevators, lifts, escalators, dumbwaiters, hoists and tramways). Any door or gate not so arranged is a serious hazard which should be corrected immediately.
(b) All shaftway and car enclosures should be maintained in perfect condition.
(c) Material should not be piled outside of a shaftway higher than the enclosure, nor should any material be stored in a shaftway or on the top of a car.
(d) No elevator should be operated with the car gate open if a gate is provided.
(e) The applicable provisions of Chapter 7 (relating to elevators, lifts, escalators, dumbwaiters, hoists and tramways) should be followed.
§ 39.32. Explosives.
(a) Caps. Blasting caps and electric blasting caps are copper shells which protect and contain a very sensitive explosive which will explode from shock, heat, or by friction or by spark. The explosive contained in caps should not be touched, picked or disturbed in any manner. No caps or other explosives should be carried in pockets, nor should they be left in a place where children or others may meddle with them.
(b) Storage. The storage of explosives should conform to the following:
(1) Explosives should not be stored, used, or handled in or near any place of residence.
(2) No vehicle containing explosives should be left unattended, unless the brake is set, the engine is stopped, and the vehicle is left in gear.
(3) A competent person should always be in charge of explosives and magazines in which explosives are stored. Such person should keep the magazine key and should be responsible for seeing that all proper safety precautions are taken.
(4) If artificial lighting is required, only an electric flashlight or electric lantern should be used. Oil-burning or chemical lamps, lanterns, candles, or matches should not be used.
(5) The ground around magazines should be kept clear of leaves, grass, trash, stumps, or other debris, in order to minimize the likelihood of fire reaching the explosives.
(6) Explosives should not be stored in any dwelling, blacksmith shop, barn, or any other place where loss of life or property damage might occur, in the event of an accident.
(c) Operating rules. Only wooden tamping sticks should be used to tamp explosives. A wooden wedge and soft metal mallet should be used to open explosives. Magazine rules should be conspicuously posted in each installation.
§ 39.33. Construction.
(a) Trenches and excavations. There shall be compliance with all the provisions of Chapter 33 (Reserved) if work is performed in trenches and excavations.
(b) Construction and demolition. All work involving construction shall be performed in accordance with Chapter 47, Subchapter G (relating to railings, toeboards, open-sided floors, platforms, and runways), and Chapter 21 (relating to ladders). In demolition work, care should be taken at all times to observe the fundamental rules of safety, such as precaution against collapse, proper disposal of debris, avoidance of traps in floors and protection against nail punctures by the wearing of good shoes and gloves and guarding against contact with upturned nails. Scaffolds, if used, shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 47, Subchapter G.
§ 39.34. Report of accidents.
(a) All injuries should be reported at once to the dispensary or hospital for treatment.
(b) Under act of July 19, 1913 (No. 408) (43 P. S. § 12), all accidents incurred in the course of employment and causing disability in excess of the working shift or turn in which the injury was received shall be reported by the employer to the Department within 15 days from the date of the injury, except that injuries resulting in the death of an employe shall be reported within 48 hours from the time of the injury.
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