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Subchapter 15. Petroleum Safety Orders--Refining, Transportation and Handling
Article 8. Access and Egress

§6799.1. Use of Chain or Wire Rope Access Equipment.

(a) Scope and Application. This section establishes requirements for the use of chain or wire rope access equipment as defined in Section 6755. Use of the equipment shall be permitted only when it is not feasible to use fixed or portable ladders to access constricted locations, such as tubes, pipes, shafts, flues, chimneys or cyclones inside of pressure vessels,

(b) Equipment and materials used shall be approved pursuant to Section 3206 of the General Industry Safety Orders.

(1) The equipment shall be load tested annually by a competent person, and the testing shall be documented in writing annually by a competent person. The equipment shall be suspended vertically, with the top lashing rings at full length and free of any obstruction. A total static load equal to the weight rating of the equipment shall be distributed throughout the length of the equipment. Stretch or sag shall be determined by comparing the measurements of the vertical distance between the rungs after load testing to the measurements at the time the equipment was new. The appearance of any defects, signs of weakness, or undue stretch or sag in the equipment under test shall result in the equipment being taken out of service immediately and permanently.

(2) The equipment shall be visually inspected by a competent person before each use. If any part of the equipment fails the inspection, it shall immediately be taken out of service. At a minimum, the visual inspection shall check for the following conditions:

(A) Broken or split rungs.

(B) Broken or split chains or cables in the stringer.

(D) Any hardware or fittings that is not secure.

(E) Bent or dented rungs or rails.

(F) Grease, oil or other slip hazards on the ladder rungs.

(d) Equipment Use Plan. Before using chain or wire rope access equipment, the employer shall prepare an equipment use plan. The equipment use plan shall be in writing, shall be available to the Division for inspection and shall have the following components:

(1) A description of the specific locations where chain or wire rope access equipment is to be used.

(2) A description of tasks requiring access using chain or wire rope access equipment.

(3) A justification as to why the use of fixed or portable ladders is not feasible for each location identified for equipment use. A single justification may be used for multiple locations that have substantially the same characteristics. Among other things, these details must include, but shall not be limited to, a description of the manner in which the equipment is to be secured at the top to an anchorage.

(4) Installation details for each location. A single set of details may be provided for multiple locations that have substantially the same characteristics.

(5) Inspection instructions.

(6) Maintenance instructions.

(7) Maintenance log.

(e) Use.

(1) Employees using chain or wire rope access equipment shall wear a safety harness that is attached to a rescue retrieval system in accordance with Section 5157(k) of Title 8 at all times while on the equipment.

(2) The chain or wire rope access equipment shall be:

(A) Secured at the top to an anchorage as described in the equipment use plan.

(B) Secured at the bottom to a substantial anchorage.

EXCEPTION to subsection (e)(2)(B): During installation or retrieval of the chain or wire rope access equipment.

(3) Only one person shall be on the equipment at a time.

(4) The user shall not hand-carry tools, equipment or other materials while climbing on the equipment.

(5) Three points of contact shall be maintained at all times while climbing on the equipment.

(6) The equipment shall not be used where the user or equipment may contact energized electrical conductors.

(7) The equipment shall be kept free of oil, grease, or other slippery materials.

(f) Training. Employees who use the equipment shall be trained in the following:

(1) Recognition of, and measures for addressing, the hazards associated with climbing on or working from the equipment. These hazards include, but are not necessarily limited to, fatigue, falling hazards, slipping and tripping hazards, cuts and abrasions, and hazards presented by the specific installation.

(2) Inspection and correct use of the rescue retrieval system in accordance with subsection (e)(1).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 7-28-2011; operative 8-27-2011 (Register 2011, No. 30).

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