The proof test required is 125% of the Safe Working Load (SWL). This requirement is set out in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is referenced by 1917.50(c)(5).
The initial proof test must be performed by an OSHA-accredited agency only. See Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and the cross-reference in 1917.50(c).
The proof test must be 5 short tons in excess of the SWL for gear in the 20–50 short ton range. This is specified in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and referenced by 1917.50(c)(5).
The proof test required for gear over 50 short tons is 110% of the Safe Working Load (SWL). This requirement appears in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is referenced by 1917.50(c)(5).
Special cargo handling gear purchased or manufactured on or after January 21, 1998 must be proof tested every four years after the initial proof load test. This recurring interval is specified in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is tied to the requirements of 1917.50(c).
The four‑year proof test may be performed by either an OSHA-accredited agency or a designated person (as authorized in the appendix). See Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and the related provision in 1917.50(c).
Gear with an SWL of 5 short tons or less must be proof tested at 125% of the SWL prior to initial use and prior to reuse after structural damage repair. This is specified in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements.
Proof tests for gear with SWL of 5 short tons or less may be performed by an OSHA-accredited agency or a designated person. This option is shown in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is consistent with 1917.50(c).
Intermodal container spreaders not part of the vessel's cargo handling gear must be proof tested prior to initial use by an OSHA-accredited agency, must be proof tested prior to reuse after structural damage repair by an OSHA-accredited agency, and must be proof tested every four years (the four‑year test may be done by an OSHA-accredited agency or a designated person). These requirements are listed in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and are referenced by 1917.50(c)(5).
Special cargo handling gear must be proof tested prior to reuse after structural damage repair; the appendix specifies the required proof load (which varies by SWL range) and, for certain tonnages, requires testing by an OSHA-accredited agency. See Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and 1917.50(c).
For gear in use prior to January 21, 1998, proof testing is required every four years starting on January 21, 1998; for certain ranges (20–50 short tons and over 50 short tons), prior to initial use or prior to reuse after structural damage repair the tests must be performed by an OSHA-accredited agency and must meet the specified proof-load criteria. See Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and 1917.50(c)(5).
Yes — Appendix I to Part 1917 is mandatory and is explicitly tied to the certification and test requirements in 1917.50(c)(5). The appendix itself is published as Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements.
The appendix requires that gear be proof tested prior to reuse after structural damage repair; if a proof test fails, the gear must be repaired (or otherwise corrected) and then proof tested prior to reuse. This obligation to proof test prior to reuse is stated in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and related to the enforcement provisions in 1917.50(c).
Yes — Appendix I specifies different proof-load requirements depending on SWL ranges: for example, 125% of SWL for up to 20 short tons, 5 short tons in excess of SWL for 20–50 short tons, and 110% of SWL for over 50 short tons. These distinctions are shown in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and are cited in 1917.50(c)(5).
Yes — for the recurring four‑year tests the appendix allows either an OSHA-accredited agency or a designated person to conduct the proof test (except where the appendix specifically requires an OSHA-accredited agency, such as certain initial tests or tests after repair for particular tonnages). See Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and the cross-reference in 1917.50(c).
An OSHA-accredited agency must perform proof tests of intermodal container spreaders (not part of a ship's gear) prior to initial use and prior to reuse after structural damage repair. This requirement is in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is referenced by 1917.50(c)(5).
The proof-test percentages and requirements vary by tonnage as specified in the appendix: 125% SWL applies for many items up to 20 short tons (and for SWL ≤5 short tons in some cases), 5 short tons in excess of SWL applies for 20–50 short tons, and 110% SWL applies for gear over 50 short tons. These variations are listed in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and cited in 1917.50(c)(5).
If a facility is a "designated waterfront facility" (used solely for bulk storage, handling, and transfer of liquids or gases), Part 1917 does not apply to that facility; therefore the Part 1917 proof-test rules in Appendix I would not apply there. OSHA explains this non-applicability in the Letter of Interpretation "Applicability to waterfront facilities" at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-05-31 and see 1917 for Part 1917's scope.
Appendix I specifies when an OSHA-accredited agency or a designated person may perform tests, but it does not define the accreditation process or exactly who qualifies as a designated person within the appendix text itself; those administrative details are implemented through 1917.50(c) and related agency procedures. See Appendix I to Part 1917 for the testing table and 1917.50(c) for the certification cross-reference.
No — Appendix I distinguishes intermodal container spreaders that are not part of a vessel's cargo handling gear and provides specific testing requirements for those spreaders (for example, OSHA-accredited-agency testing prior to initial use and after repair). Spreaders that are part of a ship's gear are addressed under the vessel's cargo-gear provisions in Part 1917; see Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and 1917.50(c).
The official table of special cargo gear and container spreader test requirements is published in Appendix I to Part 1917—Special Cargo Gear and Container Spreader Test Requirements and is implemented under the certification and testing provisions of 1917.50(c)(5).