Use of rigging gear

The entire section applies to ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking, except paragraphs (c) and (d) apply only to ship repairing and shipbuilding. See 1915.116(a).

• Practical result: when doing shipbreaking you must follow most of 1915.116, but the plate-handling requirements in paragraph (c) and the tag line requirement in paragraph (d) are limited to ship repairing and shipbuilding.

You must rig every load so it will stay secure and not endanger workers before any hoist starts. See 1915.116(b).

• Practical steps: inspect slings, hooks, shackles and connections; select rated gear and correct hitch type; balance the load and prevent shifting; use taglines or a signalman when needed.
• Who decides? A competent person should evaluate and specify protection where exposures or hazards exist (see OSHA interpretation on competent person duties at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

Plates should be handled using shackles attached to welded clips or pads of ample size when holes are not available; if welding pads is impossible, use alligator tongs, grab clamps or screw clamps but keep employees out from under those lifts. See 1915.116(c).

• Practical measures: weld pads or clips sized for the shackle pin whenever you can; if using clamps, mark exclusion zones under the lift and use taglines or other controls to prevent people being beneath the load.

Yes, grab clamps, alligator tongs or screw clamps may be used when holes or welded pads are not possible, but you must take special precautions to keep employees from being under those lifts. See 1915.116(c).

• Precautions include: establishing a no-entry zone beneath the lift, using taglines to control rotation, keeping workers clear of pinch points, and ensuring clamps are rated and in good condition.

Tag lines are required on loads that are likely to swing or that need guidance while being moved. See 1915.116(d).

• Use: provide a secured line to control rotation and movement of the load; assign trained handlers to hold taglines clear of hazards; combine taglines with a signalman when the operator cannot see the load (see 1915.116(l)).

When slings are secured to eye-bolts, arrange them (using spreaders if necessary) so the pull is within 20 degrees of the bolt's axis. See 1915.116(e).

• Why it matters: pulling more than 20 degrees off-axis can overstress or bend the eye-bolt and create a failure hazard. Use appropriate hardware (e.g., swivel fittings or spreader bars) to maintain the correct angle.

Slings must be padded with wood blocks or other suitable material where they pass over sharp edges or corners to prevent cutting or kinking. See 1915.116(f).

• Practical options: use hardwood blocks, edge protectors, or purpose-made sleeves; ensure padding is secured so it won't slip during the lift and that it is inspected for wear before use.

Skips must be rigged with at least three-legged bridles and all legs must always be used; when open-end skips are used, take measures to prevent the contents from falling. See 1915.116(g).

• Measures for open-end skips: fit covers, cages, mesh, tarps or other positive retention so contents cannot spill during handling.

Loose ends of idle sling legs that are not carrying load must be hung on the hook. See 1915.116(h).

• This prevents loose ends from catching on structures or people and reduces tripping and snagging hazards.

No, employees are not permitted to ride the hook or to ride on the load. See 1915.116(i).

• This rule reduces the risk of falls and crushing injuries; it is consistent with OSHA's guidance that operators and employers must ensure safe operation and not permit unsafe practices (see OSHA interpretation on crane operator responsibilities at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-09-13).

No, loads such as tools, equipment or other materials shall not be swung or suspended over the heads of employees. See 1915.116(j).

• Plan lifts so workers are kept out of areas where loads travel above them; establish exclusion zones and use taglines and signalmen to maintain control.

Pieces of equipment or structure that could fall or become dislodged must be secured or removed as early as possible. See 1915.116(k).

• Practical steps: bolt, lash, wire, or otherwise secure loose items; or remove them before nearby lifting or other operations begin to prevent accidental drops.

A signalman who is familiar with the signal code in use must be assigned when the hoist operator cannot see the load, and communications must be by clear visual or auditory signals; verbal signals are not permitted. See 1915.116(l).

• Use established hand signal charts or agreed audible signals and ensure both operator and signalman are trained and understood; do not rely on spoken words when the rule forbids verbal signals.

Pallets must be made of suitable material and construction and maintained so they can safely support and carry the loads handled on them. See 1915.116(m).

• Inspect pallets for broken boards, loose fasteners, rot or damage; replace or repair damaged pallets before using them to lift or move loads.

The hatch section used for raising, lowering, or moving materials must be completely opened, and any beam or pontoon left adjacent to the opening must be lashed, locked or otherwise secured to prevent accidental movement or displacement. See 1915.116(n).

• Secure the adjacent structure so it cannot shift under load; verify locking or lashing before operations begin.

No, hatches shall not be open or closed while employees are in the square of the hatch below. See 1915.116(o).

• Keep personnel clear of the area beneath a hatch during opening or closing to avoid crushing or falling-object hazards.

Before loads or empty lifting gear are raised, lowered, or swung, clear and sufficient advance warning must be given to employees in the vicinity. See 1915.116(p).

• Examples of acceptable warnings: audible alarms, horn blasts, shouted standardized warnings (where allowed), or a designated signalperson announcing the move; choose the method that ensures workers hear and understand the warning.

No, at no time shall an employee be permitted to place himself in a hazardous position between a swinging load and a fixed object. See 1915.116(q).

• Train workers to avoid pinch-point and crush zones and mark danger areas around lifts to prevent workers from getting trapped between moving loads and structures.

A spreader is a device that keeps sling legs separated so the sling pulls on the eye-bolt nearly in-line; use a spreader when needed so the pull on the eye-bolt stays within 20 degrees of its axis. See 1915.116(e).

• Use spreaders to prevent side loads on eyebolts and reduce bending or shear that could cause bolt failure.

When clamps (alligator tongs, grab clamps, or screw clamps) must be used, you must keep workers out from under the lift and also use controls such as taglines, exclusion zones, and trained rigging personnel to prevent people from being beneath or near the swinging load. See 1915.116(c) and 1915.116(d).

• Additional measures: inspect clamps for wear, use backup slings or secondary retention where possible, and communicate the hazards in pre-lift briefings.

A knowledgeable and competent person should inspect rigging gear and determine that a load is safely rigged before lifting. See 1915.116(b) and OSHA's interpretation explaining that a competent person must be capable of recognizing hazards and specifying protection (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

• Practical action: assign a trained rigging lead to examine slings, fittings, and hooks on each lift and document defects and corrective actions.

No, an operator who becomes incapacitated and cannot safely complete the lift must not leave the controls while the load is suspended. OSHA has stated that an operator must be physically able to perform tasks without unscheduled interruption, and leaving the controls while a load is suspended can create unsafe conditions (OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-09-13).

• Employers should ensure operators are fit for duty, provide relief operators, and have procedures for safely landing or maintaining control of suspended loads if an operator becomes unable to continue.

Clear and sufficient advance warning means employees in the area must be informed in a way they can clearly perceive before any lifting, lowering, swinging, or moving of loads begins. See 1915.116(p).

• Examples: audible signals (horns/whistles), visual signals (flashing lights), or a dedicated signalman giving agreed signals; choose the method appropriate to site noise and visibility conditions so everyone hears or sees the warning.

Any beam or pontoon left adjacent to a hatch opening must be lashed, locked or otherwise secured so it cannot be accidentally displaced. See 1915.116(n).

• Practical methods: apply mechanical locks, chocks, lashings or locking pins; verify security before commencing material handling through the hatch.

No, verbal signals are not permitted for communications between a signalman and the hoist operator when the operator cannot see the load; communications must be by clear visual or auditory signals. See 1915.116(l).

• Use standardized hand signals or agreed audible signals (horns, whistles) and ensure both parties are trained and competent in the signal code.

No, when clamps are used on plates because holes or welded pads are not possible, special precautions must be taken to keep employees from under such lifts, which means employees should not be under the plate during the lift. See 1915.116(c) and 1915.116(d).

• Implement exclusion zones and use taglines, spotters and pre-lift briefings to ensure nobody is under the load.

No, you must not use a damaged pallet for lifting; pallets must be constructed and maintained so they safely support the loads handled on them. See 1915.116(m).

• Replace or repair pallets with cracked boards, loose fasteners, rot or other defects before using them in lifts.

To prevent contents from falling from open-end skips you must use means such as covers, tarps, nets, cages or other positive retention so material cannot escape during handling. See 1915.116(g).

• Ensure retention devices are secured and rated for the load and inspect them before each use.

You must use all legs of a multi-legged bridle on skips and hang any loose ends of idle sling legs on the hook so nothing dangles or catches; for skips, all legs must always be used and idle leg ends must be secured on the hook. See 1915.116(g) and 1915.116(h).

• This ensures stability of the skip and prevents idle legs from creating entanglement or trip hazards.