[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 5]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.181]

[Page 568-574]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart N_Materials Handling and Storage
 
Sec.  1910.181  Derricks.

    (a) Definitions applicable to this section. (1) A derrick is an 
apparatus consisting of a mast or equivalent member held at the head by 
guys or braces, with or without a boom, for use with a hoisting 
mechanism and operating ropes.
    (2) A-frame derrick means a derrick in which the boom is hinged from 
a cross member between the bottom ends of two upright members spread 
apart at the lower ends and joined at the top; the boom point secured to 
the junction of the side members, and the side members are braced or 
guyed from this junction point.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.037

    (3) A basket derrick is a derrick without a boom, similar to a gin 
pole, with its base supported by ropes attached to corner posts or other 
parts of the structure. The base is at a lower elevation than its 
supports. The location of the base of a basket derrick can be changed by 
varying the length of the rope supports. The top of the pole is secured 
with multiple reeved guys to position the top of the pole to the desired 
location by varying the length of the upper guy lines. The load is 
raised and lowered by ropes through a sheave or block secured to the top 
of the pole.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.038

    (4) Breast derrick means a derrick without boom. The mast consists 
of two side members spread farther apart at the base than at the top and 
tied together at top and bottom by rigid members. The mast is prevented 
from tipping forward by guys connected to its top. The load is raised 
and lowered by ropes through a sheave or block secured to the top 
crosspiece.

[[Page 569]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.039

    (5) Chicago boom derrick means a boom which is attached to a 
structure, an outside upright member of the structure serving as the 
mast, and the boom being stepped in a fixed socket clamped to the 
upright. The derrick is complete with load, boom, and boom point swing 
line falls.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.040

    (6) A gin pole derrick is a derrick without a boom. Its guys are so 
arranged from its top as to permit leaning the mast in any direction. 
The load is raised and lowered by ropes reeved through sheaves or blocks 
at the top of the mast.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.041

    (7) Guy derrick means a fixed derrick consisting of a mast capable 
of being rotated, supported in a vertical position by guys, and a boom 
whose bottom end is hinged or pivoted to move in a vertical plane with a 
reeved rope between the head of the mast and the boom point for raising 
and lowering the boom, and a reeved rope from the boom point for raising 
and lowering the load.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.042

    (8) Shearleg derrick means a derrick without a boom and similar to a 
breast derrick. The mast, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, is 
hinged at the bottom and has its top secured by a multiple reeved guy to 
permit handling loads at various radii by means of load tackle suspended 
from the mast top.
    (9) A stiffleg derrick is a derrick similar to a guy derrick except 
that the mast is supported or held in place by two or more stiff 
members, called stifflegs, which are capable of resisting either tensile 
or compressive forces. Sills are generally provided to connect the lower 
ends of the stifflegs to the foot of the mast.

[[Page 570]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.043

    (10) Appointed means assigned specific responsibilities by the 
employer or the employer's representative.
    (11) ANSI means the American National Standards Institute.
    (12) A boom is a timber or metal section or strut, pivoted or hinged 
at the heel (lower end) at a location fixed in height on a frame or mast 
or vertical member, and with its point (upper end) supported by chains, 
ropes, or rods to the upper end of the frame, mast, or vertical member. 
A rope for raising and lowering the load is reeved through sheaves or a 
block at the boom point. The length of the boom shall be taken as the 
straight line distance between the axis of the foot pin and the axis of 
the boom point sheave pin, or where used, the axis of the upper load 
block attachment pin.
    (13) Boom harness means the block and sheave arrangement on the boom 
point to which the topping lift cable is reeved for lowering and raising 
the boom.
    (14) The boom point is the outward end of the top section of the 
boom.
    (15) Derrick bullwheel means a horizontal ring or wheel, fastened to 
the foot of a derrick, for the purpose of turning the derrick by means 
of ropes leading from this wheel to a powered drum.
    (16) Designated means selected or assigned by the employer or 
employer's representative as being qualified to perform specific duties.
    (17) Eye means a loop formed at the end of a rope by securing the 
dead end to the live end at the base of the loop.
    (18) A fiddle block is a block consisting of two sheaves in the same 
plane held in place by the same cheek plates.
    (19) The foot bearing or foot block (sill block) is the lower 
support on which the mast rotates.
    (20) A gudgeon pin is a pin connecting the mast cap to the mast 
allowing rotation of the mast.
    (21) A guy is a rope used to steady or secure the mast or other 
member in the desired position.
    (22) Load, working means the external load, in pounds, applied to 
the derrick, including the weight of load attaching equipment such as 
load blocks, shackles, and slings.
    (23) Load block, lower means the assembly of sheaves, pins, and 
frame suspended by the hoisting rope.
    (24) Load block, upper means the assembly of sheaves, pins, and 
frame suspended from the boom.
    (25) Mast means the upright member of the derrick.
    (26) Mast cap (spider) means the fitting at the top of the mast to 
which the guys are connected.
    (27) Reeving means a rope system in which the rope travels around 
drums and sheaves.
    (28) Rope refers to wire rope unless otherwise specified.
    (29) Safety Hook means a hook with a latch to prevent slings or load 
from accidentally slipping off the hook.
    (30) Side loading is a load applied at an angle to the vertical 
plane of the boom.
    (31) The sill is a member connecting the foot block and stiffleg or 
a member connecting the lower ends of a double member mast.
    (32) A standby derrick is a derrick not in regular service which is 
used occasionally or intermittently as required.
    (33) Stiffleg means a rigid member supporting the mast at the head.
    (34) Swing means rotation of the mast and/or boom for movements of 
loads in a horizontal direction about the axis of rotation.
    (b) General requirements--(1) Application. This section applies to 
guy, stiffleg, basket, breast, gin pole, Chicago boom and A-frame 
derricks of the stationary type, capable of handling loads at variable 
reaches and powered by hoists through systems of rope reeving, used to 
perform lifting hook

[[Page 571]]

work, single or multiple line bucket work, grab, grapple, and magnet 
work. Derricks may be permanently installed for temporary use as in 
construction work. The requirements of this section also apply to any 
modification of these types which retain their fundamental features, 
except for floating derricks.
    (2) New and existing equipment. All new derricks constructed and 
installed on or after August 31, 1971, shall meet the design 
specifications of the American National Standard Safety Code for 
Derricks, ANSI B30.6-1969, which is incorporated by reference as 
specified in Sec.  1910.6.
    (3) Designated personnel. Only designated personnel shall be 
permitted to operate a derrick covered by this section.
    (c) Load ratings--(1) Rated load marking. For permanently installed 
derricks with fixed lengths of boom, guy, and mast, a substantial, 
durable, and clearly legible rating chart shall be provided with each 
derrick and securely affixed where it is visible to personnel 
responsible for the safe operation of the equipment. The chart shall 
include the following data:
    (i) Manufacturer's approved load ratings at corresponding ranges of 
boom angle or operating radii.
    (ii) Specific lengths of components on which the load ratings are 
based.
    (iii) Required parts for hoist reeving. Size and construction of 
rope may be shown either on the rating chart or in the operating manual.
    (2) Nonpermanent installations. For nonpermanent installations, the 
manufacturer shall provide sufficient information from which capacity 
charts can be prepared for the particular installation. The capacity 
charts shall be located at the derricks or the jobsite office.
    (d) Inspection--(1) Inspection classification. (i) Prior to initial 
use all new and altered derricks shall be inspected to insure compliance 
with the provisions of this section.
    (ii) Inspection procedure for derricks in regular service is divided 
into two general classifications based upon the intervals at which 
inspection should be performed. The intervals in turn are dependent upon 
the nature of the critical components of the derrick and the degree of 
their exposure to wear, deterioration, or malfunction. The two general 
classifications are herein designated as frequent and periodic with 
respective intervals between inspections as defined below:
    (a) Frequent inspection--Daily to monthly intervals.
    (b) Periodic inspection--1- to 12-month intervals, or as specified 
by the manufacturer.
    (2) Frequent inspection. Items such as the following shall be 
inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(a) 
of this section or as specifically indicated, including observation 
during operation for any defects which might appear between regular 
inspections. Deficiencies shall be carefully examined for any safety 
hazard:
    (i) All control mechanisms: Inspect daily for adjustment, wear, and 
lubrication.
    (ii) All chords and lacing: Inspect daily, visually.
    (iii) Tension in guys: Daily.
    (iv) Plumb of the mast.
    (v) Deterioration or leakage in air or hydraulic systems: Daily.
    (vi) Derrick hooks for deformations or cracks; for hooks with cracks 
or having more than 15 percent in excess of normal throat opening or 
more than 10[deg] twist from the plane of the unbent hook, refer to 
paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (vii) Rope reeving; visual inspection for noncompliance with derrick 
manufacturer's recommendations.
    (viii) Hoist brakes, clutches, and operating levers: check daily for 
proper functioning before beginning operations.
    (ix) Electrical apparatus for malfunctioning, signs of excessive 
deterioration, dirt, and moisture accumulation.
    (3) Periodic inspection. (i) Complete inspections of the derrick 
shall be performed at intervals as generally defined in paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii)(b) of this section depending upon its activity, severity of 
service, and environment, or as specifically indicated below. These 
inspections shall include the requirements of paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section and in addition, items such as the following. Deficiencies shall 
be carefully examined and a determination

[[Page 572]]

made as to whether they constitute a safety hazard:
    (a) Structural members for deformations, cracks, and corrosion.
    (b) Bolts or rivets for tightness.
    (c) Parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, sheaves, drums, 
rollers, locking and clamping devices, for wear, cracks, and distortion.
    (d) Gudgeon pin for cracks, wear, and distortion each time the 
derrick is to be erected.
    (e) Powerplants for proper performance and compliance with 
applicable safety requirements.
    (f) Hooks.
    (ii) Foundation or supports shall be inspected for continued ability 
to sustain the imposed loads.
    (4) Derricks not in regular use. (i) A derrick which has been idle 
for a period of 1 month or more, but less than 6 months, shall be given 
an inspection conforming with requirements of paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section and paragraph (g)(3) of this section before placing in service.
    (ii) A derrick which has been idle for a period of over 6 months 
shall be given a complete inspection conforming with requirements of 
paragraphs (d) (2) and (3) of this section and paragraph (g)(3) of this 
section before placing in service.
    (iii) Standby derricks shall be inspected at least semiannually in 
accordance with requirements of paragraph (d)(2) of this section and 
paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (e) Testing--(1) Operational tests. Prior to initial use all new and 
altered derricks shall be tested to insure compliance with this section 
including the following functions:
    (i) Load hoisting and lowering.
    (ii) Boom up and down.
    (iii) Swing.
    (iv) Operation of clutches and brakes of hoist.
    (2) Anchorages. All anchorages shall be approved by the appointed 
person. Rock and hairpin anchorages may require special testing.
    (f) Maintenance--(1) Preventive maintenance. A preventive 
maintenance program based on the derrick manufacturer's recommendations 
shall be established.
    (2) Maintenance procedure. (i) Before adjustments and repairs are 
started on a derrick the following precautions shall be taken:
    (a) The derrick to be repaired shall be arranged so it will cause 
the least interference with other equipment and operations in the area.
    (b) All hoist drum dogs shall be engaged.
    (c) The main or emergency switch shall be locked in the open 
position, if an electric hoist is used.
    (d) Warning or out of order signs shall be placed on the derrick and 
hoist.
    (e) The repairs of booms of derricks shall either be made when the 
booms are lowered and adequately supported or safely tied off.
    (f) A good communication system shall be set up between the hoist 
operator and the appointed individual in charge of derrick operations 
before any work on the equipment is started.
    (ii) After adjustments and repairs have been made the derrick shall 
not be operated until all guards have been reinstalled, safety devices 
reactivated, and maintenance equipment removed.
    (3) Adjustments and repairs. (i) Any unsafe conditions disclosed by 
inspection shall be corrected before operation of the derrick is 
resumed.
    (ii) Adjustments shall be maintained to assure correct functioning 
of components.
    (iii) Repairs or replacements shall be provided promptly as needed 
for safe operation. The following are examples of conditions requiring 
prompt repair or replacement:
    (a) Hooks showing defects described in paragraph (d)(2)(vi) of this 
section shall be discarded.
    (b) All critical parts which are cracked, broken, bent, or 
excessively worn.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) All replacement and repaired parts shall have at least the 
original safety factor.
    (g) Rope inspection--(1) Running ropes. A thorough inspection of all 
ropes in use shall be made at least once a month and a certification 
record which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the 
person who performed the inspection, and an identifier for the

[[Page 573]]

ropes which were inspected shall be prepared and kept on file where 
readily available. Any deterioration, resulting in appreciable loss of 
original strength shall be carefully observed and determination made as 
to whether further use of the rope would constitute a safety hazard. 
Some of the conditions that could result in an appreciable loss of 
strength are the following:
    (i) Reduction of rope diameter below nominal diameter due to loss of 
core support, internal or external corrosion, or wear of outside wires.
    (ii) A number of broken outside wires and the degree of distribution 
or concentration of such broken wires.
    (iii) Worn outside wires.
    (iv) Corroded or broken wires at end connections.
    (v) Corroded, cracked, bent, worn, or improperly applied end 
connections.
    (vi) Severe kinking, crushing, cutting, or unstranding.
    (2) Limited travel ropes. Heavy wear and/or broken wires may occur 
in sections in contact with equalizer sheaves or other sheaves where 
rope travel is limited, or with saddles. Particular care shall be taken 
to inspect ropes at these locations.
    (3) Idle ropes. All rope which has been idle for a period of a month 
or more due to shutdown or storage of a derrick on which it is installed 
shall be given a thorough inspection before it is used. This inspection 
shall be for all types of deterioration. A certification record shall be 
prepared and kept readily available which includes the date of 
inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection, 
and an identifier for the ropes which were inspected.
    (4) Nonrotating ropes. Particular care shall be taken in the 
inspection of nonrotating rope.
    (h) Operations of derricks. Derrick operations shall be directed 
only by the individual specifically designated for that purpose.
    (i) Handling the load--(1) Size of load. (i) No derrick shall be 
loaded beyond the rated load.
    (ii) When loads approach the maximum rating of the derrick, it shall 
be ascertained that the weight of the load has been determined within 
plus or minus 10 percent before it is lifted.
    (2) Attaching the load. (i) The hoist rope shall not be wrapped 
around the load.
    (ii) The load shall be attached to the hook by means of slings or 
other suitable devices.
    (3) Moving the load. (i) The load shall be well secured and properly 
balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a 
few inches.
    (ii) Before starting to hoist, the following conditions shall be 
noted:
    (a) Hoist rope shall not be kinked.
    (b) Multiple part lines shall not be twisted around each other.
    (c) The hook shall be brought over the load in such a manner as to 
prevent swinging.
    (iii) During hoisting, care shall be taken that:
    (a) There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving 
load.
    (b) Load does not contact any obstructions.
    (iv) A derrick shall not be used for side loading except when 
specifically authorized by a responsible person who has determined that 
the various structural components will not be overstressed.
    (v) No hoisting, lowering, or swinging shall be done while anyone is 
on the load or hook.
    (vi) The operator should avoid carrying loads over people.
    (vii) The operator shall test the brakes each time a load 
approaching the rated load is handled by raising it a few inches and 
applying the brakes.
    (viii) Neither the load nor boom shall be lowered below the point 
where less than two full wraps of rope remain on their respective drums.
    (ix) When rotating a derrick, sudden starts and stops shall be 
avoided. Rotational speed shall be such that the load does not swing out 
beyond the radius at which it can be controlled.
    (x) Boom and hoisting rope systems shall not be twisted.
    (4) Holding the load. (i) The operator shall not be allowed to leave 
his position at the controls while the load is suspended.
    (ii) People should not be permitted to stand or pass under a load on 
the hook.
    (iii) If the load must remain suspended for any considerable length 
of time, a dog, or pawl and ratchet, or

[[Page 574]]

other equivalent means, rather than the brake alone, shall be used to 
hold the load.
    (5) Use of winch heads. (i) Ropes shall not be handled on a winch 
head without the knowledge of the operator.
    (ii) While a winch head is being used, the operator shall be within 
convenient reach of the power unit control lever.
    (6) Securing boom. Dogs, pawls, or other positive holding mechanism 
on the hoist shall be engaged. When not in use, the derrick boom shall:
    (i) Be laid down;
    (ii) Be secured to a stationary member, as nearly under the head as 
possible, by attachment of a sling to the load block; or
    (iii) Be hoisted to a vertical position and secured to the mast.
    (j) Other requirements--(1) Guards. (i) Exposed moving parts, such 
as gears, ropes, setscrews, projecting keys, chains, chain sprockets, 
and reciprocating components, which constitute a hazard under normal 
operating conditions shall be guarded.
    (ii) Guards shall be securely fastened.
    (iii) Each guard shall be capable of supporting without permanent 
distortion, the weight of a 200-pound person unless the guard is located 
where it is impossible for a person to step on it.
    (2) Hooks. (i) Hooks shall meet the manufacturer's recommendations 
and shall not be overloaded.
    (ii) Safety latch type hooks shall be used wherever possible.
    (3) Fire extinguishers. (i) A carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or 
equivalent fire extinguisher shall be kept in the immediate vicinity of 
the derrick.
    (ii) Operating and maintenance personnel shall be familiar with the 
use and care of the fire extinguishers provided.
    (4) Refueling. (i) Refueling with portable containers shall be done 
with approved safety type containers equipped with automatic closing cap 
and flame arrester. Refer to Sec.  1910.155(c)(3) for definition of 
Approved.
    (ii) Machines shall not be refueled with the engine running.
    (5) Operations near overhead lines. For operations near overhead 
electric lines, see Sec.  1910.333(c)(3).
    (6) Cab or operating enclosure. (i) Necessary clothing and personal 
belongings shall be stored in such a manner as to not interfere with 
access or operation.
    (ii) Tools, oilcans, waste, extra fuses, and other necessary 
articles shall be stored in the toolbox, and shall not be permitted to 
lie loose in or about the cab or operating enclosure.

[37 FR 22102, Oct. 18, 1972, as amended at 38 FR 14373, June 1, 1973; 43 
FR 49750, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5323, Feb. 10, 1984; 51 FR 34561, Sept. 
29, 1986; 53 FR 12122, Apr. 12, 1988; 55 FR 32015, Aug. 6, 1990; 61 FR 
9240, Mar. 7, 1996]