Subchapter L. HOISTS
MATERIAL HOISTS Sec.
7.361. General requirements.
7.362. Operating rules.
7.363. Hoistway entrances.
7.364. Hoist towers.
7.365. Safety.
PERSONNEL HOISTS
7.371. Hoist towers.
7.372. Doors.
7.373. Cars.
7.374. Ropes.
7.375. Safety.
7.376. Noninclosed towers.
7.377. Removal of ropes.
7.378. Permanent elevators.
7.379. Drum hoists.
7.380. Use of freight elevators as hoists.
7.381. Use of passenger elevators as hoists.
7.382. Change of certificate.
7.383. Signal system.
7.384. Special personnel hoists used in chimney construction.
MATERIAL HOISTS
§ 7.361. General requirements.
(a) The employer shall comply with the manufacturer’s specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of all hoists and elevators. If manufacturer’s specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the equipment shall be based on the determination of an approved Certified State Commissioned Inspector competent in the field.
(b) Rated load capacities, recommended operating speeds, and special hazard warnings or instructions shall be posted on cars and platforms.
(c) Wire rope shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exists:
(1) In hoisting ropes, six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay.
(2) Abrasion, scrubbing, flattening, or peening, causing loss of more than 1/3 of the original diameter of the outside wires.
(3) Evidence of any heat damage resulting from a torch or any damage caused by contact with electrical wires.
(4) Reduction from nominal diameter of more than 3/64 inch for diameters up to and including 3/4 inch; 1/16 inch for diamerers 7/8 to 1 1/8 inches; and 3/32 inch for diameters 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches.
(d) Hoisting ropes shall be installed in accordance with the wire rope manufacturer’s recommendations.
(e) The installation of live booms on hoists is prohibited.
(f) The use of endless belt-type man lifts on construction shall be prohibited.
§ 7.362. Operating rules.
(a) 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 cross-head in a conspicuous location, including the statement ‘‘No Riders Allowed.’’
(b) No person shall be allowed to ride on material hoists except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance.
§ 7.363. Hoistway entrances.
(a) All entrances of the hoistways shall be protected by substantial gates or bars which shall guard the full width of the landing entrance.
(b) All hoistway entrance bars and gates shall be painted with diagonal contrasting colors, such as black and yellow stripes. Bars shall be not less than 2 by 4 inch wooden bars or the equivalent, located 2 feet from the hoistway line. Bars shall be located not less than 36 inches nor more than 42 inches above the floor.
(c) Gates or bars protecting the entrances to hoistway shall be equipped with a latching device. Where landing platforms connect the shaftway to the building such platforms shall be constructed of materials of ascertained soundness and capability to safely sustain the maximum load to be imposed on them and they shall be provided with standard guard rails and toe boards. If the floors or platforms are covered with metal they shall have a nonslip surface. Where any platform entrance to a shaftway, and the top of the shaftway is exposed to falling objects, a substantially large and strong overhead catch platform shall be provided. It is understood that the floor of each landing shall be considered the roof of the platform immediately below. The loading platform is to be kept free and clear of building material and debris at all times.
(d) Overhead protective covering of two-inch planking, 3 1/4 inch plywood, or other solid material of equivalent strength, shall be provided on the top of every material hoist cage or platform.
(e) The operator’s station of a hoisting machine shall be provided with overhead protection equivalent to tight planking not less than 2 inches thick. The support for the overhead protection shall be of equal strength.
§ 7.364. Hoist towers.
(a) Hoist towers may be used with or without an enclosure on all sides. However, whichever alternative is chosen, the following applicable conditions shall be met.
(b) When a hoist tower is enclosed, it shall be enclosed on all sides for its entire height with a screen enclosure of 1/2-inch mesh, No. 18 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent, except for landing access.
(c) When a hoist tower is not enclosed, the hoist platform or car shall be totally enclosed, that is, caged, on all sides for the full height between the floor and the overhead protective covering with 1/2-inch mesh of No. 14 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent. The hoist platform enclosure shall include the required gates for loading and unloading. A 6-foot high enclosure shall be provided on the unused side of the hoist tower at ground level.
§ 7.365. Safety.
(a) Approved car safety devices shall be installed to function in case of wire rope failure. Safety devices shall be tested by certified inspector at each and every erection.
(b) All material hoist towers shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer.
(c) All material hoists shall conform to the requirements of ANSI A10.5-1969, Safety Requirements for Material Hoists.
PERSONNEL HOISTS
§ 7.371. Hoist towers.
(a) Hoist towers outside the structure shall be enclosed for the full height on the side or sides used for entrance and exit to the structure. At the lowest landing, the enclosure on the sides not used for exit or entrance to the structure shall be enclosed to a height of at least 10 feet. Other sides of the tower adjacent to floors or scaffold platforms shall be enclosed to a height of 10 feet above the level of such floors or scaffolds.
(b) For towers located outside a building, the enclosures, except those at the lowest landing, may be omitted on the sides where there is no floor or scaffold adjacent to the hoistway. Enclosures on the entrance and exit side of the hoistway shall be full height. Other enclosures, where required, shall be not less than 10 feet high.
(c) Towers inside of structures shall be enclosed on all four sides throughout the full height.
(d) Towers shall be anchored to the structure at intervals not exceeding 25 feet. In addition to tie-ins, a series of guys shall be installed. Where tie-ins are not practical the tower shall be anchored by means of guys made of wire rope at least 1/2 inch in diameter, securely fastened to anchorages to ensure stability.
§ 7.372. Doors
Hoistway doors or gates shall be not less than 6 feet 6 inches high and shall be provided with mechanical locks which cannot be operated from the landing side, and shall be accessible only to persons on the car. Inside face of hoistway doors to be within 4 inches of face of seal line.
§ 7.373. Cars.
(a) Cars shall be permanently enclosed on all sides and the top, except sides used for entrance and exit, which have car gates or doors. Where landing platforms connect the shaftway to the building such platforms shall be constructed of material of ascertained soundness and capability to safely sustain the maximum load to be imposed on them and they shall be provided with standard guard rails and toe boards. If the floors or platforms are covered with metal they shall have a nonslip surface. Where any platform entrance to a shaftway, and the top of the shaftway is exposed to falling objects, a substantially large and strong overhead catch platform shall be provided. It is understood that the floor of each landing shall be considered the roof of the platform immediately below. The loading platform is to be kept free and clear of building material and debris at all times.
(b) A door or gate shall be provided at each entrance on the car which shall protect the full width and height of the car entrance opening.
(c) Overhead protective covering of two-inch planking, 3/4-inch plywood or other solid material of equivalent strength shall be provided on the top of every personnel hoist.
(d) Car doors or gates shall be provided with electric contacts which do not allow movement of the hoist when door or gate is open.
(e) Approved car safeties shall be capable of stopping and holding the car and rated load when traveling at governor tripping speed.
(f) Cars shall be provided with a capacity and data plate secured in a conspicuous place on the car of crosshead.
(g) Internal combustion engines shall not be permitted for direct drive.
(h) Normal and final terminal stopping devices shall be provided.
(i) An emergency stop switch shall be provided in the car and marked ‘‘Stop.’’
§ 7.374. Ropes.
(a) The minimum number of hoisting ropes used shall be three for traction hoists and two for drum-type hoists.
(b) The minimum diameter of hoisting and counterweight wire ropes shall be 1/2-inch.
(c) Minimum factors of safety for suspension shall conform with the following
WIRE ROPES
Rope speed
in feet per
minute:Minimum
factor of
safety50 7.60 75 7.75 100 7.95 125 8.10 150 8.25 175 8.40 200 8.60 225 8.75 250 8.90 300 9.20 350 9.50 400 9.75 450 10.00 500 10.25 550 10.45 600 10.70 § 7.375. Safety.
(a) 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 Certified Commissioned Inspector. A similar inspection and full load test is required following major alteration of an existing installation. All hoists shall be inspected and tested at not more than 3-month intervals or each time erected. Records shall be maintained and kept on file for the duration of the job.
(b) All personnel elevators used by employes 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 A104-1972, Safety Requirements for Personnel Hoists and all subsequent additions as heretofore amended from time to time by the Industrial Board.
(c) 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.
Source The provision of this § 7.375 amended through August 17, 1973, 3 Pa.B 1722.
§ 7.376. Nonenclosed towers.
(a) When a hoist tower is not enclosed, the hoist platform or car shall be totally enclosed, that is, caged, on all sides for the full height between the floor and the overhead protective covering with 3/4-inch mesh of No. 14 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent. The hoist platform enclosure shall include the required gate for loading and unloading.
(b) 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.
§ 7.377. Removal of ropes.
Wire rope shall be taken out of service when any of the following conditions exist:
(1) In running ropes, six randomly distributed broken wires in one lay or three broken wires in one strand in one lay.
(2) Wear of 1/3 original diameter of outside individual wires. Kinking, curshing, bird caging or any other damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure.
(3) Evidence of any heat damage from any cause.
(4) Reduction from nominal diameter of more than 3/64 inch for diameters to and including 3/4 inch, 1/16 inch for diameter 2/8 inch to 1 1/8 inches inclusive, 3/32 inch for diameters 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches inclusive.
(5) In standing ropes, more than two broken wires in one lay in sections beyond end connections or more than one broken wire at an end connection.
§ 7.378. Permanent elevators.
Under the care and custody of the employer and used by employes for work covered by the act shall comply with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Regulations for Elevators, Escalators, Dumbwaiters, and Hoists, 1967, as amended.
§ 7.379. Drum hoists.
(a) Exposed moving parts such as gears, projecting screws, setscrews, chain, cables, chain sprockets and reciprocating or rotating parts, which constitute a hazard, shall be guarded.
(b) All controls used during the normal operation cycle shall be located within easy reach of the operator’s station.
(c) Electric motor operated hoists shall be provided with the following:
(1) A device to disconnect all motors from the line upon power failure and not permit any motor to be restarted until the controller handle is brought to the ‘‘off’’ position.
(2) Where applicable, an overspeed preventive device.
(3) A means whereby remotely operated hoists stop when any control is ineffective. The driving machine drum or sheave is equipped with an electrically released, spring-applied brake, operating on a brake drum directly connected to the drum or drum shaft, and having a capacity sufficient to stop and hold the car at not less than 125% of its rated load when applied at a speed of 125% of rated speed.
A speed control device is provided and operated by the drum, which will cause the application of the drum brake and removal of power from the driving machine motor if the speed of the drum exceeds that corresponding to 125% of a rated car speed. Where the speed control device is chain driven from the drum, a broken chain switch shall be provided.
§ 7.380. Use of freight elevators as hoists.
(a) A new installation of a freight elevator, in a new building or one undergoing alterations, where the hatchways, enclosures and gates have not been completed, may be used as a builders’ hoist, provided the car is enclosed, the hatchway protected and the entrances guarded as required for builders’ hoists erected on the inside of buildings. Such an elevator shall be in charge of an experienced elevator erector or helper or hoisting engineer and may be used for carrying freight or building materials. Only the operator and assistants necessary for handling the load, not to exceed three are permitted to ride, except that workmen may be hauled, provided all entrances are protected by temporary doors or gates not less than 6 feet high and set within 4 inches of the edge of the shaftway. Such gates or doors shall be locked from the inside only.
(b) The number of workmen permitted to ride on an uncompleted freight elevator at any one time shall be based on the ratio of one workman to 2 square feet of floor area.
(c) A freight elevator used as a builders’ hoist shall be properly tested and approved by an authorized inspector employed by the Department and a certificate issued as a builders’ hoist before being put in service as a hoist.
§ 7.381. Use of passenger elevators as hoists.
(a) A new installation of a passenger elevator in a new building or one undergoing alterations where the hatchways, enclosures and gates have not been completed, may be used as a builders’ hoist provided the car is enclosed on three sides, and the hatchway protected as required for builders’ hoists erected inside of buildings. Such an elevator shall be in charge of an experienced elevator erector or helper or hoisting engineer and may be used for carrying freight or building materials. Only the operator and assistants necessary for handling the load, not to exceed three, are permitted to ride, except that workmen and passengers may be hauled, provided all entrances are protected by temporary doors or gates not less than 6 feet high and set within 4 inches of the edge of the shaftway. Such gates or doors shall be locked from the inside only.
(b) The number of workmen or passengers permitted to ride on any uncompleted passenger elevator at any one time shall be based on the ratio of one workman to 2 square feet of floor area.
(c) A passenger elevator used as a builders’ hoist shall be properly tested and approved by an authorized inspector employed by the Department and a certificate issued as a builders’ hoist before being put in service as a hoist.
§ 7.382. Change of certificate.
When a building is completed, the certificate under which any freight or passenger elevator has been operated as a builders’ hoist shall become void and a new certificate shall be taken out to operate the installation as a freight or passenger elevator.
§ 7.383. Signal system.
Either an electric or manual signal system shall be used on a builders’ hoist installed inside or outside a building. Electric signal systems shall be provided and used on all converted elevators and they shall be so installed and connected to shaftway gates or doors as to be inoperative when any gate or door is in an open position.
§ 7.384. Special personnel hoists used in chimney construction.
(a) General. The provisions of this chapter shall apply generally. The employer shall comply with the manufacturer’s specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of these special hoists. Where the manufacturer’s specifications are not available, the limitations assigned to the equipment shall be based on the determination of the Elevator Inspection Division and a certified State Commissioned Inspector competent in the field.
(b) Hoisting machines. Hoisting machines shall conform with the following:
(1) A base mounted drum hoist designed for man hoisting and complying with these requirements shall be used.
(2) The hoist machine may be powered by internal combustion engine, electric motor or other prime mover with positive controls to provide proper speeds and direction. The machine shall be such design that it must be powered in the up and down directions. Friction gearing, clutch mechanisms and belt drives shall be prohibited.
(3) The hoist machine shall be designed to effect proper spooling on the hoist drum.
(4) The winding drum shall be not less than 30 times the diameter of wire rope used. The winding drum shall have flanges not less than 1 1/2 times the drum diameter. Wire rope shall not be spooled closer than two inches to edge of flange.
(5) The winding drum shall have not less than three turns of wire rope when the hoist cage or car is at the lowest point of travel. A line-speed indicator shall be installed to control various speeds.
(6) The hoist machine shall be equipped with two independently operated brakes, each capable of holding 150% of the rated load. A manually controlled brake applied to hoist drum or drive shaft. An electro-magnetic brake or automatic braking device which shall be automatically applied when power is cut off.
(7) The hoist machine shall be equipped with a deadman control switch which shall stop the machine immediately when released.
(8) The hoist machine shall be securely anchored in position to prevent movement, shifting or dislodgement due to pressure from the hoisting operation.
(9) Hoist machine shall be equipped with final limit switches to prevent over travel at top and bottom terminals.
(10) All electric equipment shall be weather proof.
(c) Operation of hoists. Operation of hoists shall conform with the following:
(1) The operator of the hoist shall be a qualified or licensed operator.
(2) Operating signal systems shall be installed to have constant communications between the operator and the riders in the car or cage. The operator and machine shall be protected by a suitable and safe enclosure.
(d) Hoisting cables. Hoisting cables shall conform with the following:
(1) All hoisting cables shall be iron or steel of accepted quality. Cable tags shall be attached showing manufacturer’s name, size and safety factor. All hoisting ropes shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions of approved methods.
(2) A deflector sheave shall be installed at base to provide proper alignment of hoist cable to cat head or overhead structure.
(3) The overhead structure shall be secured by a sufficient number of bolts to prevent spreading or movement, sheaves of proper diameter shall be installed to provide correct rotation of hoisting cable. Sheaves shall be not less than 24 times the diameter of hoist cables.
(4) The cage or car suspended guide ropes shall be securely anchored to the cat head or overhead structure.
(5) The suspended car or cage guide ropes shall be of approved material and sufficient strength to accept the impact imposed upon the rope in the event the approved safety device actuates. The manufacturer’s cable tag shall be attached to the guide ropes with approved data showing factors of safety for speed, rated loads and impact.
(6) Wire rope shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exists:
(i) In hoisting ropes, six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay.
(ii) Abrasion, scrubbing, flattening or peening, causing loss of more than one-third of the original diameter of the outside wires.
(iii) Evidence of any heat damage resulting from a torch or any damage caused by contact with electrical wires.
(iv) Reduction from nominal diameter of more than 3/64 inch for diameters up to and including 3/4 inch; 1/16 inch for diameters 7/8 to 1 1/8 inches; and 3/32 inch for diameters to 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches.
(7) Car or cage shall be constructed of approved material as required by ANSI A10.4 1973 regulations. The car frame must be designed to withstand the force resulting from loading conditions or impact of car safeties actuating.
(8) All welding must meet the National Standard requirements. All bolts, rivets or rods must meet National Standards requirements. The maximum load shall be eight employes or 1,200 pounds.
(9) Cars or cage shall be permanently enclosed on all sides and tops, except sides used for entrances or exit, which shall have car gates or doors. The car gate or door shall be the entire height and width of the opening.
(10) Each car gate or door shall have a mechanical lock which may be opened only when cars are at the terminal landings.
(11) Each car shall be provided with an approved device that shall stop the car in the event of a wire rope failure or other emergencies.
(12) Each car shall be provided with an emergency exit panel that may be removed from the inside or outside of the car.
(13) Each car shall be provided with an emergency descent control device. This device must be approved by the Inspection Bureau at each erection of the hoist.
(14) The car or cage shall be guided by approved wire rope of approved size that meets all factors of safety. The suspended wire rope shall be securely anchored to the overhead structure and properly weighted and secured at the bottom landing.
(15) The bottom landing shall have adequate protection and controlled access during personnel hoisting operations. The top terminal landing shall be protected by drop bars or other adequate protection around the opening.
(16) When the erection of the hoist is completed and before they are put in service, a complete inspection will be made by an approved State Elevator Inspector. Upon the approval of the hoist and the equipment, a current certificate of operation shall be issued by the Department, upon payment of the current inspection fee.
(17) Upon re-erection of the hoist, a complete inspection and safety test will be required and a new operating certificate will be issued.
(18) A visual check shall be conducted daily and a full inspection will be made weekly. Records shall be kept on file for the duration of each job.
(19) The hoist shall be inspected every three months during use by a certified State Elevator Inspector.
Source The provisions of this § 7.384 adopted November 22, 1974, 4 Pa.B. 2419.
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