Manlift definitions and terms

A handhold (handgrip) is a device attached to the belt that a passenger can grasp to help maintain balance. See the definition in 1910.68(a)(1).

An open type handhold has a grip surface fully exposed so a rider can wrap their fingers around it, while a closed type is a cup-shaped device open at the top toward the direction of travel where the rider places their fingers. See 1910.68(a)(2) and 1910.68(a)(3).

A manlift is a device made of a power-driven endless belt moving in one direction only, with steps or platforms and handholds attached for moving people between floors. See the statutory definition in 1910.68(a)(5).

Rated speed is the speed for which the manlift is designed and installed. See the definition in 1910.68(a)(6).

A split-rail switch is an electric limit switch operated mechanically by the step rollers; a hinged section of guide rail is forced straight by a loaded step and trips the switch to open the circuit. See the definition and operation in 1910.68(a)(7).

The standard applies to manlifts that carry trained personnel only and that consist of platforms or brackets and handholds mounted on an endless belt operating vertically in one direction and supported and driven by top and bottom pulleys. See the application in 1910.68(b)(1).

All new manlifts installed after the rule’s effective date must meet the design requirements of ANSI A90.1-1969, which is incorporated by reference as specified in 1910.6, and must also satisfy the requirements in 1910.68(b).

Floor openings must be sized by belt width: for a 12-inch belt, 28–36 inches wide; for a 14-inch belt, 34–38 inches wide; for a 16-inch belt, 36–40 inches wide—and each opening must project 24–28 inches from the face of the belt. See 1910.68(b)(5)(i).

Yes — all floor openings for the same manlift must be uniform in size, approximately circular, and each opening must be located vertically above the opening below it. See 1910.68(b)(5)(ii).

A vertical clearance of at least 7 feet 6 inches is required between the floor or mounting platform and the lower edge of the required conical guard; if that clearance cannot be obtained, no access to the manlift is allowed and the runway must be enclosed where it passes through the floor. See 1910.68(b)(6)(i).

Each landing must have an unobstructed landing space at least 2 feet wide from the edge of the opening, adequate lighting of at least 5-foot candles when the lift is operating, and landing surfaces maintained to provide safe footing. See 1910.68(b)(6)(ii), 1910.68(b)(6)(iii), and 1910.68(b)(6)(iv).

If travel between floor landings is 50 feet or more, emergency landings are required so there is a landing (floor or emergency) for every 25 feet or less of travel; emergency landings must be accessible from both up and down runs and be fully enclosed with standard railings and toeboards. See 1910.68(b)(6)(v) and its subparagraphs 1910.68(b)(6)(v)(a) and 1910.68(b)(6)(v)(b).

A fixed cone guard must make at least a 45° angle with the horizontal (60° or more where possible), extend at least 42 inches outward from any handhold on the belt (but not beyond the upper floor surface), and be made of at least No. 18 U.S. gauge sheet steel or equivalent material. See 1910.68(b)(7)(i) and its subparts 1910.68(b)(7)(i)(a), 1910.68(b)(7)(i)(b), and 1910.68(b)(7)(i)(c).

A floating-type safety cone may substitute for a fixed cone if hinged at least 6 inches below the floor underside and constructed to actuate a limit switch when a 2-pound force is applied to the cone edge nearest the hinge; its depth need not exceed 12 inches. See 1910.68(b)(7)(ii).

The lower edge must be rolled to a minimum half-inch diameter and the interior must be smooth with no rivets, bolts, or screws protruding. See the finishing requirement in 1910.68(b)(7).

Entrances and exits must be guarded by either a maze (staggered railing) or a handrail equipped with self-closing gates; rails must be standard guardrails with toeboards and gates, if used, must open outward, be self-closing, and have rounded corners. See 1910.68(b)(8)(i) and related subparagraphs 1910.68(b)(8)(ii) and 1910.68(b)(8)(iii).

Sides not used for entry/exit must be guarded by a wall, railing with toeboard, or wire-mesh panels of suitable strength; guard height must be at least 42 inches on the up-running side and 66 inches on the down-running side. See 1910.68(b)(9) and 1910.68(b)(9)(ii).

The bottom landing clear area must be at least as large as the area enclosed by guardrails on the floors above, any wall in front of the down-running side of the belt must be at least 48 inches from the face of the belt, pulley supports at the lower pulley must be guarded to prevent contact, and the lower pulley should be supported by the lowest landing served. See 1910.68(b)(10)(i) and 1910.68(b)(10)(ii).

You must provide at least 11 feet of clearance above the top terminal landing from the belt face to a vertical cylindrical plane... and maintain at least 5 feet between the center of the head pulley shaft and any ceiling obstruction, with the head pulley shaft center at least 6 feet above the top terminal landing. See 1910.68(b)(11)(i) and 1910.68(b)(11)(ii)(a) and 1910.68(b)(11)(ii)(b).

Yes — a fixed metal emergency ladder meeting subpart D requirements must be provided for the entire travel and be accessible from both the up and down runs of the manlift. See 1910.68(b)(12).

Both runs of the manlift must be illuminated when the lift operates with at least 1-foot candle throughout the runway, and each landing must have at least 5-foot candles while the lift is in operation as specified elsewhere. See 1910.68(b)(14)(i) and 1910.68(b)(6)(iii).

Brakes must be inherently self-engaging (released by power) and electrically released, applied to the motor/input shaft as specified, and must stop and hold the manlift when the descending side is loaded with 250 lb on each step. See 1910.68(c)(1)(i).

Belts must be made of hard-woven canvas, rubber-coated canvas, leather, or equivalent material meeting strength requirements, and belt widths must be at least 12 inches for travel ≤100 ft, 14 inches for travel >100–150 ft, and 16 inches for travel >150 ft; a belt torn while in use must not be spliced and returned to service. See 1910.68(c)(1)(ii)(a), 1910.68(c)(1)(ii)(b), and 1910.68(c)(1)(ii)(c).

No manlift designed for a speed in excess of 80 feet per minute shall be installed. See 1910.68(c)(2)(i).

Yes — the entire manlift and its driving mechanism must be protected from the weather at all times, meaning equipment and drive components should be sheltered or otherwise protected so weather cannot compromise safe operation. See 1910.68(b)(15).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(i) manlift steps or platforms must be not less than 12 inches and not more than 14 inches deep measured from the belt to the edge.

• Measure depth from the belt to the step or platform edge.
• See the Minimum depth requirement in 1910.68(c)(3)(i) for the exact text.

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(ii) the width of a step or platform must be at least the width of the belt to which it is attached.

• Confirm belt width before specifying or inspecting step/platform width.
• See the Width requirement in 1910.68(c)(3)(ii).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(iii) steps must be equally spaced and not less than 16 feet apart measured from the upper surface of one step to the upper surface of the next step above it.

• Ensure uniform spacing; unequal spacing can create fall hazards.
• See the Distance between steps requirement in 1910.68(c)(3)(iii).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(iv) the surface of the step must make approximately a right angle with the up and down run of the belt and travel in the approximate horizontal position with the belt run.

• In practice this means the step surface should sit roughly level as it passes the user, not slanted.
• See the Angle of step language in 1910.68(c)(3)(iv).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(v) the step working surfaces must either be made of a material with inherent nonslip characteristics (coefficient of friction not less than 0.5) or be completely covered by a securely fastened nonslip tread.

• Use treads or materials that meet a coefficient of friction of at least 0.5.
• Inspect treads regularly to ensure they remain securely fastened.
• See the Surfaces requirement in 1910.68(c)(3)(v).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(vi) step frames, supports, and guides must be strong enough, when a 400-pound load is applied at the step center, to prevent disengagement of any step roller, prevent appreciable misalignment, and prevent visible deformation of the step or its support.

• Perform load-capacity checks and inspect for deformation or misalignment.
• See the Strength of step supports in 1910.68(c)(3)(vi) and the follow-up clause on preventing deformation in 1910.68(c)(3)(vi)(c).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(vii) no step shall be provided unless there is a corresponding handhold above or below it that meets the handhold requirements in paragraph (c)(4).

• If you remove a step for repair or permanently, you must remove the immediately adjacent handholds before placing the lift back in service.
• See the Prohibition of steps without handholds in 1910.68(c)(3)(vii).

Under 1910.68(c)(4)(i) and (ii) handholds must be installed so they are between 4 feet and 4 feet 8 inches above the step tread, available on both up and down runs, and the grab surface must be at least 4½ inches wide, at least 3 inches deep, with 2 inches clearance from the belt and fastenings located at least 1 inch from the belt edge.

• Check both vertical placement and clearances during inspections.
• See the Location requirement in 1910.68(c)(4)(i) and the Size and clearance requirements in 1910.68(c)(4)(ii).

Under 1910.68(c)(4)(iii) handholds must be capable of withstanding a 300-pound load applied parallel to the run of the belt without damage.

• Include a pull/load test in maintenance checks or validate manufacturer specifications.
• See the Handhold strength requirement in 1910.68(c)(4)(iii).

Under 1910.68(c)(4)(v) all handholds must be of the closed type, and paragraph (c)(4)(iv) expressly prohibits providing a handhold without a corresponding step.

• Do not install handholds alone or of an open style; remove corresponding handholds if a step is removed.
• See the Handhold type rule in 1910.68(c)(4)(v) and the prohibition of handhold without steps in 1910.68(c)(4)(iv).

Under 1910.68(c)(5)(i) manlifts must have two separate automatic stop devices that cut power and apply the brake when a loaded step passes the upper terminal; one must be a split-rail switch operated by the step roller no more than 6 inches above the top landing, and the second can be a split-rail switch on the opposite side, an electronic device, or a switch actuated by a lever/rod/plate. Electrical requirements in 1910.68(c)(5)(iv) require multipole switches if they open the main motor circuit directly, electronic devices must fail-safe (shut power off), hazardous-area wiring must follow subpart S, and controller contacts must be copper-to-carbon or equal unless oil-immersed or broken at multiple points.

• Ensure two independent stop methods and that the initial stop stops the lift before the loaded step reaches 24 inches above the top terminal landing.
• See the Up limit stop requirements in 1910.68(c)(5)(i) and allowable alternatives in 1910.68(c)(5)(i)(a)–(c) and the Electrical requirements in 1910.68(c)(5)(iv).

Under 1910.68(c)(5)(ii) the manual reset must be located so the person resetting it has a clear view of both up and down runs of the manlift, and it must not be possible to reset the device from any step or platform.

• Place reset controls in a safe location off the lift itself and ensure the person resetting can observe the runs.
• See the Manual reset location requirement in 1910.68(c)(5)(ii).

Under 1910.68(c)(6) a manlift must have an emergency stop means that is within easy reach of both ascending and descending runs, cuts off power and applies the brake when pulled in the direction of travel, and if a rope is used the rope must be at least three-eighths inch in diameter.

• Locate emergency stops so passengers can reach them quickly from either run; if rope-type, check diameter and condition.
• See the Emergency stop requirements in 1910.68(c)(6) and 1910.68(c)(6)(iv) for rope size.

Under 1910.68(c)(7) instruction signs giving operating directions must be posted at each landing or stenciled on the belt (for example: "Face the Belt. Use the Handholds. To Stop—Pull Rope."), a conspicuous "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" sign must be displayed at each landing, and at the top floor there must be an illuminated sign reading "TOP FLOOR—GET OFF" within easy view and not more than 2 feet above the top landing plus a red warning light of not less than 40 watts immediately below the upper landing to shine in the passenger's face.

• Verify signs are legible and the light is functioning during inspections.
• See the Instruction and top-floor warning requirements in 1910.68(c)(7)(i)–(ii).

Under 1910.68(d)(1) manlifts must not be used to handle freight, packaged goods, pipe, lumber, or construction materials of any kind.

• Use appropriate material-handling equipment instead of manlifts for any cargo or materials.
• See the Operating rules prohibition in 1910.68(d)(1).

Under 1910.68(e)(1) all manlifts must be inspected by a competent designated person at intervals of not more than 30 days, with limit switches checked weekly, and 1910.68(e)(2) lists items the periodic inspection must cover including steps, step fastenings, rails, rollers, belt tension, handholds, limit switches, warning signs and lights, drive and bottom pulleys, motor, brake, electrical switches, vibration/misalignment, and more.

• Remove from service any manlift found unsafe until repaired.
• See the Inspection frequency and items in 1910.68(e)(1)–(2).

Under 1910.68(e)(3) a certification record of each inspection must be kept that includes the inspection date, the signature of the person who performed it, and the serial number or other identifier of the manlift inspected, and this record must be made available to the Assistant Secretary of Labor or an authorized representative.

• Maintain inspection logs in an organized filing system and produce them on request.
• See the Inspection record requirement in 1910.68(e)(3).

Under 1910.68(c)(3)(vii) if a step is removed for repairs or permanently, the handholds immediately above and below that step must also be removed before the manlift is placed back in service.

• This prevents passengers from attempting to use a step that is missing while a handhold remains.
• See the requirement about removing adjacent handholds when a step is removed in 1910.68(c)(3)(vii).