Question 1

Under 1919.14(a)(1), what must be done before hoisting machines, fixed gear, loose gear, and wire rope are put into use aboard a vessel?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(a)(1) the gear must be tested, examined, and have its safe working load certified before use. Employers must perform the initial test and examination and obtain certification of the safe working load in the manner set forth in Subpart E of Part 1919, as required by §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 2

Under 1919.14(a)(2), do replacement or additional loose gear and wire rope have to be tested before use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Replacement or additional loose gear and wire rope obtained later must be tested and examined in the same way as new gear under §1919.14(a)(2)(2)). Exception: replacing a component part of an article of loose gear (for example, a sheave, pin, or bushing) does not require a new test certificate provided the new component equals or exceeds the replaced part in all respects. See §1919.14(a)(2)(2)).

Question 3

Under 1919.14(b), what must be done with untested gear that has already been in use aboard a vessel?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(b) untested gear that has been in use must receive an initial test in conformance with §1919.14(a)(1) unless it is standing rigging, which is exempt from testing but must be thoroughly examined. Specifically, untested gear requires the initial test and certification set forth in §1919.14(a)(1)(1)), while existing standing rigging and wire rope must be thoroughly examined per §1919.24 and §1919.25.

Question 4

Under 1919.14(b), are existing standing rigging and wire rope required to be load-tested?

Accepted Answer

No. Under §1919.14(b) existing standing rigging and wire rope are not required to be load tested; instead, they must be thoroughly examined to determine fitness for continued use in accordance with §1919.24 and §1919.25.

Question 5

Under 1919.14(c), when must gear be re-tested after repairs or alterations?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(c) a test like that in §1919.14(a)(1) is required after important alterations or renewals of machinery and gear, and also after repairs resulting from failure or damage to components other than loose components. In short, major repairs, renewals, or alterations require re testing and certification per §1919.14(c)) and §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 6

Under 1919.14(a)(2), does swapping a sheave, pin, or bushing always require a new test certificate?

Accepted Answer

No. Under §1919.14(a)(2) replacing a component part of an article of loose gear such as a sheave, pin, or bushing does not require a new test certificate so long as the new component at least equals the part replaced in all particulars. See §1919.14(a)(2)(2)).

Question 7

Under 1919.14(d), can an owner limit a crane or cargo gear’s safe working load to a lower value than its original rating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under §1919.14(d) an owner may have the gear certificated and limited to a lesser maximum safe working load if normal operations never use more than a fraction of the original rating, provided the gear is still physically capable of its original rating and the reduction is not done to avoid fixing a deficiency. See §1919.14(d)). Practical point: the reduction must not be used as a way to avoid repairing or replacing defective gear.

Question 8

Under 1919.14(e), can safe working loads be increased beyond original design limits?

Accepted Answer

No, not without proper engineering and structural changes. Under §1919.14(e) safe working loads cannot be increased beyond original design limitations unless the increase is based on engineering calculations by or acceptable to an accredited certification agency and all required structural changes are made. See §1919.14(e)).

Question 9

Under 1919.14, what does it mean that certification must be done "in the manner set forth in Subpart E of this part"?

Accepted Answer

It means the test, examination, and the way the safe working load is certified must follow the procedures and documentation rules specified in Subpart E of Part 1919. Employers must follow Subpart E's certification process when obtaining a safe working load certificate as required by §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 10

Who can perform certification tests or accept engineering calculations to change safe working loads under 1919.14(e)?

Accepted Answer

Certification tests and acceptable engineering calculations must be done by or acceptable to an accredited certification agency. OSHA has recognized that persons accredited under Part 1919 perform these certifications; see the 1977 interpretation that references accreditation under Part 1919. Refer to §1919.14(e)) and the OSHA interpretation regarding accreditation procedures at https://www.osha.gov/laws regs/standardinterpretations/1977 04 26. (See the 1977 letter for background on accreditation of certifying persons.)

Question 11

Under 1919.14, does replacing a damaged drum or a major boom component require a new test?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under §1919.14(c) important alterations or renewals of machinery and gear, and repairs due to failure or damage to components other than loose components, require a test like that in §1919.14(a)(1). Replacing major structural components such as drums or booms would normally trigger this re test and certification. See §1919.14(c)) and §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 12

Under 1919.14(a)(2), if I buy used loose gear that has no test certificate, what must I do before using it?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(a)(2) you must test and examine the replacement or additional loose gear in the same manner required for new gear by §1919.14(a)(1) before using it. If the used gear has no certificate, obtain the required test and certification per §1919.14(a)(1)(1)) and §1919.14(a)(2)(2)).

Question 13

Under 1919.14, can an employer avoid re-testing by merely limiting operational loads after a repair?

Accepted Answer

No. While §1919.14(d)) allows limiting the working load to a lower value, this option cannot be used to avoid correcting deficiencies. Repairs to non loose components or important alterations still require testing as described in §1919.14(c)).

Question 14

Under 1919.14, what documentation should I expect after a successful test and certification of gear?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(a)(1) certification must follow the Subpart E procedures, so you should expect a written test certificate stating the safe working load and that the test was done per Part 1919's Subpart E. The certificate should be retained as required by Subpart E and the relevant sections such as §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 15

Under 1919.14 and the 1977 interpretation, who designates the accredited persons or agencies that certify gear?

Accepted Answer

Accreditation and approval of certifying persons or agencies are handled under the procedures in Part 1919; OSHA has recognized that persons are accredited under Part 1919 to perform certifications. The 1977 interpretation discusses accreditation procedures and notes that the employer or regulatory scheme may require certification by persons accredited under Part 1919. See §1919.14 and the 1977 OSHA interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws regs/standardinterpretations/1977 04 26 for background on accreditation practices.

Question 16

Under 1919.14, does a minor repair to loose gear (for example replacing a hook latch) always require a full re-test and new certificate?

Accepted Answer

No. Under §1919.14(a)(2) replacing a component of an article of loose gear does not require a new test certificate provided the replacement component equals or exceeds the original part in all particulars. Small repairs to loose gear that meet that condition generally do not require re testing. See §1919.14(a)(2)(2)).

Question 17

Under 1919.14, if gear is certificated at a reduced safe working load under 1919.14(d), how should that limitation be documented?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(d) any certification that limits a gear's maximum safe working load should be reflected in the certification documentation required by Subpart E, showing the reduced safe working load and the limitation on operation. See §1919.14(d)) and §1919.14(a)(1)(1)).

Question 18

Under 1919.14(e), what must be done before increasing a piece of cargo gear’s safe working load above its original design limit?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(e) you must obtain engineering calculations by or acceptable to an accredited certification agency and carry out all necessary structural changes before increasing the safe working load beyond original design limitations. See §1919.14(e)).

Question 19

Under 1919.14, if a repair is made because a loose gear component failed, do I need to retest the entire gear assembly?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Under §1919.14(a)(2) replacement of a loose component (for example a sheave, pin, or bushing) does not require a new test certificate if the replacement equals or exceeds the original in all particulars. However, if the failure involved other components or resulted in broader damage, §1919.14(c)) may require testing after such repairs. See both §1919.14(a)(2)(2)) and §1919.14(c)).

Question 20

Under 1919.14, can an employer rely on the manufacturer’s original certificate when installing replacement loose gear purchased later?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided the replacement loose gear is tested and examined in the manner required by §1919.14(a)(1)(1)) and any certificate covers that gear. If the replacement part is a component swap meeting the equality condition in §1919.14(a)(2)(2)), a new certificate may not be required.

Question 21

Under 1919.14, how do the inspection requirements in 1919.24 and 1919.25 relate to testing and certification?

Accepted Answer

Under §1919.14(b) standing rigging and wire rope that are not required to be tested must be thoroughly examined for fitness to continue in service according to the inspection rules in §1919.24 and §1919.25. In other words, testing/certification covers hoisting machines and loose gear per §1919.14(a)(1)(1)), while standing rigging gets regular thorough examinations under §1919.24 and §1919.25.

Testing and certification of gear

Questions & Answers