1915 Subpart G
Yes. Chain falls and pull-lifts must be clearly marked to show their capacity and the marked capacity must never be exceeded. Employers must follow the marking requirement in 1915.114(a) and ensure operators do not lift loads beyond the rated capacity.
You must not use the device until the capacity is known and clearly marked. The standard in 1915.114(a) requires clear capacity markings, so if a marking is missing or illegible the equipment should be removed from service, have its rated capacity verified by a qualified person, and be re-marked before use.
Inspectors must pay particular attention to the lift chain, pinion, sheaves, and hooks on chain falls, and to the ratchet, pawl, chain, and hooks on pull-lifts. 1915.114(b) requires regular inspections focused on these components for distortion and wear.
The standard requires that chain falls and pull-lifts be inspected on a regular schedule, and the employer must set the frequency based on use, environment, and manufacturer recommendations. 1915.114(b) uses the term "regularly inspected," so employers should document inspection intervals and criteria; a competent person under 29 CFR Part 1915 definitions can establish appropriate inspection frequency as described in OSHA's interpretation about competent persons (see the letter at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).
They must be strong enough to support the weight of the load plus the lifting gear. 1915.114(c) requires that straps, shackles, and the supporting beam or overhead structure be of adequate strength for the combined weight of load and gear.
Yes, it is required that the upper hook be moused or otherwise secured so it cannot come free of its support. 1915.114(c) mandates mousing (for example, safety wire, pin, or other positive means) or an equivalent securement method to prevent accidental disengagement of the upper hook.
No—scaffolding cannot be used as a lifting attachment point unless the scaffolding was specifically designed for that purpose. 1915.114(d) prohibits using ordinary scaffolding as an anchor for lifting devices unless it is engineered and rated for that use.
Employers should keep documentation that the scaffolding was designed, rated, and certified for lifting, and have a competent person verify the safe use. 1915.114(d) requires that only scaffolding designed for lifting be used as an attachment, so retain design drawings, load ratings, and any competent-person certifications (see the OSHA interpretation on competent persons at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18 for guidance on who may certify such conditions).
The employer is responsible for ensuring chain falls and pull-lifts are safe, marked, and regularly inspected, though operators must follow safe-use rules. Part 1915 and 1915.114 place the duty on employers to provide safe equipment and inspection programs, and OSHA's interpretation on competent persons (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18) explains that a competent person designated by the employer may evaluate conditions and specify necessary protections.
Remove the defective component or the entire device from service immediately and repair or replace it before further use. 1915.114(b) requires regular inspections for distortion and wear, and equipment found unsafe must be taken out of service until corrected.
No—capacity must be clearly marked and regular inspections are separately required; load testing does not replace those requirements. 1915.114(a) requires clear capacity markings and 1915.114(b) requires regular inspections, so load tests can be part of a compliance program but cannot substitute for marking and inspection duties.
Inspections should be done by a person who is qualified to recognize unsafe conditions and the specific defects listed in the standard. While 1915.114 requires regular inspections for specified items (chains, hooks, ratchets, pawls, pinions, sheaves), OSHA's interpretation about competent persons (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18) explains that a competent person is someone capable of recognizing unsafe conditions and specifying protective measures, and employers should designate such a person to establish inspection criteria and perform or supervise inspections.