Base-mounted drum hoists requirements

You must guard exposed moving parts that create a hazard such as gears, projecting screws, setscrews, chain, cables, chain sprockets, and any reciprocating or rotating parts. See 1926.553(a)(1) which lists these parts as examples that must be guarded.

• Typical guarding methods include fixed guards, enclosures, or barriers that prevent contact during operation.
• If a part is exposed and could injure a worker during normal operations or maintenance, treat it as a hazard and guard it accordingly (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for guarding where provided) per 1926.553(a)(4).

All controls used during the normal operation cycle must be located within easy reach of the operator's station. See 1926.553(a)(2).

• If an operator must stretch, climb, or leave the normal station to reach a control, the control location does not meet this requirement.
• Place and label controls so operators can reach and identify them quickly, and follow any additional placement guidance from the hoist manufacturer per 1926.553(a)(4).

Electric motor operated hoists must have a device that disconnects all motors from the line upon power failure and prevents any motor from being restarted until the controller handle is brought to the "off" position. See 1926.553(a)(3)(i).

• This prevents unexpected restart that could move the hoist when an operator is not prepared.
• Follow the hoist manufacturer's design and installation instructions for the disconnect device as required by 1926.553(a)(4).

An overspeed preventive device must be provided where it is applicable to the hoist’s operation or design. See 1926.553(a)(3)(ii).

• "Where applicable" means you must assess the hoist’s mechanical and operational characteristics (for example, potential to overrun in a failure scenario) and install an overspeed device if the design or use could result in unsafe overspeed conditions.
• Use the manufacturer's guidance for when and what type of overspeed device to install under 1926.553(a)(4).

Remotely operated hoists must have a means that causes the hoist to stop when any control becomes ineffective. See 1926.553(a)(3)(iii).

• This requirement ensures loss of a remote signal or a failed control does not allow uncontrolled hoist movement.
• Implement fail-safe stopping features and follow the manufacturer’s recommended control and safety-system designs under 1926.553(a)(4).

All base-mounted drum hoists in use must meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operations as prescribed by the manufacturer. See 1926.553(a)(4).

• Employers must obtain and follow the manufacturer’s written instructions or manuals covering those areas.
• Where the manufacturer’s instructions are silent, apply recognized industry practice and the requirements of 1926.553(a) to ensure safety.
• Keep records of inspections, testing, maintenance, and repairs consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations and your employer safety program.

No, 1926.553 does not apply to base-mounted drum hoists used in conjunction with derricks; those hoists must conform to 1926.1436(e). See 1926.553(c).

• If your base-mounted drum hoist is used with a derrick, follow the specific requirements and controls found at 1926.1436 and specifically subsection 1926.1436(e).
• Verify hoist configuration and any special safety features required for derrick use per those derrick provisions.

No, subsection (b) is reserved and contains no additional specific requirements. See 1926.553(b).

• Treat the general requirements in subsection (a) and any applicable derrick rules in 1926.1436(e) as the enforceable provisions for base-mounted drum hoists.

The standard requires that all controls used during normal operation be within easy reach of the operator (1926.553(a)(2)), and electric hoists must have features preventing unintended restarts after power failure (1926.553(a)(3)(i)). For maintenance where controls are disabled, implement lockout/tagout and follow manufacturer maintenance procedures under 1926.553(a)(4).

• Use lockout/tagout procedures to prevent accidental energizing (see the manufacturer’s instructions referenced in 1926.553(a)(4)).
• Ensure an operator or qualified person restores controls to normal condition and confirms safe operation before returning the hoist to service.

No single guarding method is prescribed; the standard requires that exposed moving parts which constitute a hazard be guarded (1926.553(a)(1)), and you must follow the manufacturer’s design and construction guidance for guarding under 1926.553(a)(4).

• Select guards (fixed, interlocked, adjustable, or other acceptable types) that prevent worker contact and foreseeable failure modes.
• Where the manufacturer specifies a guarding solution, implement that solution to ensure compliance with 1926.553(a)(4).

Employers must ensure hoists meet the manufacturer’s requirements for testing, inspection, and maintenance, which includes following the manufacturer’s schedules and instructions in 1926.553(a)(4).

• While 1926.553(a)(4) does not specify a paperwork format, keep inspection and maintenance records in a manner consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations and your site safety program so you can demonstrate compliance.
• Records are also useful to track repairs, recurring defects, and to plan preventative maintenance as required by the manufacturer.

The employer is responsible for ensuring all base-mounted drum hoists in use meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operations as prescribed by the manufacturer (1926.553(a)(4)).

• Employers must obtain and apply the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure any contractors or maintenance personnel follow them.
• If the manufacturer’s guidance conflicts with site conditions, consult the manufacturer or a qualified engineer to resolve the issue in a way that maintains the required level of safety.

If a remotely operated hoist cannot stop when a control becomes ineffective, it fails the requirement in 1926.553(a)(3)(iii) and must be taken out of service until the stopping means is repaired or an acceptable fail-safe is installed.

• Stop using the hoist for remote operations and arrange immediate repairs per the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions under 1926.553(a)(4).
• Document the defect, the corrective action taken, and verify the hoist stops reliably before returning it to remote service.

Employers must ensure hoists provide the safety features required by the standard, including a device that disconnects motors on power failure and prevents restart until the controller is "off" (1926.553(a)(3)(i)); older hoists without these features must be upgraded or removed from service.

• Retrofit with manufacturer-approved safety devices when feasible, following the manufacturer’s instructions per 1926.553(a)(4).
• If retrofit is not possible, cease use or replace the hoist to meet current safety requirements.

If the conveyance or elevator work meets the definition of a suspended scaffold, the scaffold standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart L) and fall and falling object protection rules will apply to the conveyance operations; however, the hoist itself must still meet the base-mounted drum hoist requirements unless it is used with a derrick (which is governed by 1926.1436(e)). See 1926.553(c) and the derrick provision at 1926.1436(e).

• For conveyances that are suspended scaffolds, consult the scaffold provisions in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L (see 1926.1436 for related crane/derrick rules) and implement appropriate fall and overhead protection as required by the scaffold standards.