Hatch beam and pontoon bridles

They must be long enough to reach the holes, rings, or other lifting attachments on the hatch beams and pontoons easily. This is the specific requirement in 1918.42(a)(1).

• Practically, make sure bridles hang without forcing or stretching to engage the attachment points so the lift can be made safely and without awkward rigging.
• If you need help determining the correct length for a particular hatch beam or pontoon, consult the equipment manufacturer or a qualified rigger.

They must be strong enough to lift the load safely — the bridle must have a safe working load capacity appropriate for the beam or pontoon being lifted, as required by 1918.42(a)(2).

• Use slings, bridles, and hardware rated for the weight and configuration of the lift and follow manufacturer or engineering specifications.
• Inspect rigging for wear, deformation, or damage before each lift and remove compromised gear from service.
• When in doubt, consult a qualified person (rigger, engineer) to verify the bridle's capacity.

Protruding ends in wire rope splices must be properly maintained, including being covered or blunted so they do not create hazards, per 1918.42(a)(3).

• Cover or blunt sharp, protruding strands to prevent cuts, snags, or accidental unlaying of the splice.
• Remove and replace wire rope with broken or excessively worn strands rather than relying on temporary fixes.
• For related guidance on unsafe wire rope practices (like tying knots), see OSHA's interpretation on Wire rope knot prohibition (Dec 14, 1977).

Note: Avoid practices (e.g., knots in wire rope) that other OSHA rules identify as hazards; consult a qualified person for repair or splicing procedures.

Yes, hooks may be used but only when they cannot become accidentally dislodged from the hatch beam — and hooks not otherwise described in the section may be used only when they are hooked into the standing part of the bridle, as stated in 1918.42(b).

• If you use hooks, ensure they engage the standing part of the bridle so they cannot slip off during lifting.
• Where possible, use toggles, shackles, or hooks designed to prevent accidental disengagement.
• OSHA's interpretation on Safety latches on sling hooks (Jan 10, 2006) explains that latch-equipped hooks are preferred and often required by related standards to prevent accidental disengagement.

Toggles used in hatch beam bridles must be at least one inch (2.54 cm) longer than twice the largest diameter of the holes into which they are placed, per 1918.42(b).

• Example: If the largest hole diameter is 1 inch, the toggle must be at least 1 + (2 × 1) = 3 inches long.
• Measure the largest hole diameter that the toggle will seat in and follow the formula embedded in the standard to pick the right toggle length.

Bridles used for lifting pontoons and plugs must have the number of legs required by the design of the pontoon or plug, and all of those legs must be used for the lift, as required by 1918.42(c).

• Use the exact leg configuration specified by the pontoon/plug design; do not omit legs that the design requires.
• If the design calls for a multi-leg bridle, make sure each leg is connected and loadable for the lift.

If a bridle has more legs than are required for a particular use, any idle legs must be hung on the hook or ring, or otherwise prevented from swinging free, per 1918.42(c).

• Secure idle legs so they cannot swing into personnel, equipment, or the load.
• Hanging idle legs on the hook or ring keeps them controlled and reduces the risk of entanglement or sudden movement during the lift.

At least two legs of all strongback and pontoon bridles must be equipped with a lanyard that is at least eight feet (2.44 m) long and in good condition; the bridle end of the lanyard must be made of chain or wire, as required by 1918.42(d).

• The standard specifies length and material at the bridle end but does not set a separate strength rating in this paragraph; however, lanyards must be in good condition and suitable for the intended use.
• Inspect lanyards for wear, corrosion, or damage before use and replace when they no longer meet the "in good condition" requirement.

Hooks without latches may be used only if they cannot become accidentally dislodged or if they are hooked into the standing part of the bridle, according to 1918.42(b).

• For bridles that remain attached while hoisting successive drafts, use shackles or other positive means to prevent accidental disengagement, consistent with related OSHA guidance (see Safety latches on sling hooks (Jan 10, 2006)).
• When possible, use hook designs with safety latches or other positive retention methods to reduce the risk of the bridle slipping off the hook.

No — bridles must be properly maintained and wire rope should not be secured by knots; the standard requires proper maintenance including covering or blunting of protruding ends in splices per 1918.42(a)(3), and OSHA has long interpreted that wire rope knots are an unsafe practice (see Wire rope knot prohibition (Dec 14, 1977)).

• Use approved splicing, swaging, or fitting methods recommended by manufacturers or qualified rigging professionals.
• Avoid jury-rigged knots or improvised connections that reduce rope strength or can slip under load.

Properly maintained means bridles must be kept in good, safe working condition — free of defects, with splices and fittings secure and with protruding ends covered or blunted — as required by 1918.42(a)(3).

• Regular inspections should check for broken wires, corrosion, deformation of fittings, abrasion, or other damage.
• Remove damaged bridles from service and repair or replace them following manufacturer or qualified-rigger procedures.

No — you must use all the legs required by the pontoon or plug design, and any extra (idle) legs on the bridle must be hung on the hook or ring or otherwise prevented from swinging free, per 1918.42(c).

• Ensure the active leg configuration matches the engineered design of the pontoon/plug so the load is balanced as intended.

Yes — the standard requires that the bridle end of the lanyard be made of chain or wire, as stated in 1918.42(d).

• Using chain or wire at the bridle end provides a durable, non-elastic connection point that resists chafing and damage where the lanyard connects to the bridle.
• Ensure the chain or wire end is in good condition and properly attached to prevent accidental failure.

While 1918.42 sets minimum requirements (length, strength, maintenance, toggle size, lanyard use), employers should also follow manufacturers' recommendations and accepted industry practice to ensure safety; the standard itself requires adequate strength and proper maintenance in 1918.42(a)(2) and 1918.42(a)(3).

• OSHA has advised in other contexts that following manufacturer recommendations or using safety latches where possible is good practice (see Safety latches on sling hooks (Jan 10, 2006)).
• If a modification is needed that could affect safety, consult the manufacturer or a qualified professional before proceeding.

If a latch-equipped hook is impractical, you may use another device only if it cannot become accidentally dislodged or if the hook is hooked into the standing part of the bridle, as allowed by 1918.42(b).

• Where feasible, prefer hooks with safety latches or other positive retention methods to prevent accidental disengagement (OSHA guidance supports using latches whenever practical; see Safety latches on sling hooks (Jan 10, 2006)).
• If you must use an alternative, document why a latch is impractical and what measures you took to prevent accidental dislodgement (e.g., routing into the standing part, using shackles).

You must take the bridle out of service until it is repaired or replaced, because bridles must be of adequate strength and properly maintained under 1918.42(a)(2) and 1918.42(a)(3).

• Tag and remove damaged bridles from service immediately; do not attempt lifts with compromised gear.
• Repairs or replacements should follow manufacturer guidance or be performed by a qualified rigger.

No — bridles must meet the requirements for length, strength, and maintenance in 1918.42(a), and makeshift or unapproved modifications that could affect the bridle's strength or securement are unsafe. Any modification that affects capacity or safe use should be done only by qualified personnel following manufacturer or engineering guidance.

• If a special attachment is required, obtain proper-rated hardware or consult a qualified engineer or the manufacturer rather than improvising.
• OSHA's general approach is to follow manufacturer recommendations and established safe practices; see related guidance on using approved hooks and latches in Safety latches on sling hooks (Jan 10, 2006).