Test and Periodical Examination of Lifting Gears
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) A lifting gear is initially tested by a competent person in a manner specified in Schedule I before being taken into use or after undergoing any substantive alterations that render any part liable to affect its safety. Such gear shall subsequently be retested for the owner's use at least once every five years.
- (b) A lifting gear in use is thoroughly examined at least once every 12 months by a competent person.
- (c) A chain in use is thoroughly examined at least once every month by a responsible person for its use.
- (d) Certificates of initial and periodical tests and examinations of loose gears under these rules are obtained in Form XXIV.
Ropes
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) No rope is used for building or other construction work unless:
- (i) It is of good quality and free from patent defects.
- (ii) In the case of wire rope, it has been tested and examined by a competent person in the manner specified in Schedule I.
- (b) Every wire rope of a lifting appliance or lifting gear used for any work is inspected by a responsible person for such use at least once every three months. Provided that after any wire is broken in such a rope, it shall thereafter be inspected at least once every month by the responsible person.
- (c) No wire rope is used for any work if, in any length of eight diameters of such wires, the total number of visible broken wires exceeds 10% of the total number of wires in such rope, or such rope shows signs of excessive wear, corrosion, or other defects which, in the opinion of the person who inspects it or the Inspector having jurisdiction, is unfit for use.
- (d) Eye splices and loops of ropes for the attachment of hooks, rings, and other parts to wire ropes are made with suitable thimbles.
- (e) A thimble or loop splice made in any wire rope sling conforms to the following standards:
- (i) Wire rope sling shall have at least three tucks with a full strand of rope and two tucks with 1½ of the wires cut out of each of such strands in all cases. Such strands shall be tucked against the lay of the rope.
- (ii) Protruding ends of such strands in any splice of wire rope slings shall be covered or treated so as to leave no sharp points.
- (iii) A fibre rope or a rope sling shall have at least four tucks; the tail of such tuck being whipped in a suitable manner.
- (iv) A synthetic fibre rope or rope sling shall have at least four tucks with a full strand followed by a further tuck with 1½ filaments cut out of each of such strands and a final tuck with 1½ of the remaining filaments cut out from such strands. Any portion of the splices containing such tucks, with a reduced number of filaments, shall be securely covered with suitable tape or other materials.
Register of Periodical Test, Examination, and Certificates Thereof
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) A register in Form XXV is maintained, and particulars of such tests and examination of lifting appliances, lifting gears, and heat treatment as required under rules 72 are entered in such register.
- (b) A certificate in respect of each of the following is obtained from a competent person in the forms as mentioned below:
- (i) In case of initial and periodical test and examination under rule 72 (a):
- (a) Derricks and their accessory gears in Form XXVI.
- (b) Cranes or hoists and their accessory gears in Form XXVII.
- (ii) In case of test, examination, and re-examination of loose gears under clause (d) of Rule 86 (a) & (b) in Form XXVIII.
- (iii) In case of test and examination of wire ropes under rule 87 in Form XXIX.
- (iv) In case of heat treatment and examination of loose gears under rule 88 in Form XXX.
- (v) In case of annual thorough examination of the loose gears under clause (b) of rule 86, except where required particulars of such exemption have been enclosed in the register referred to in clause (a) in Form XXIV, and such certificates are attached to the register referred to in clause (a).
- (c) The register referred to in clause (a) and the certificates referred to in clause (b) attached to such register are:
- (i) Kept at such construction site in case such register and certificate relate to lifting appliances, loose gear, and wire ropes.
- (ii) Produced on demand before an Inspector having jurisdiction.
- (iii) Retained for at least five years after the date of the last entry made in such register.
- (d) No lifting appliance or lifting gear in respect of which an entry is required to be made in the register referred to in clause (a) and certificate of test and examination are required to be attached in such register in the manner as specified in clause (a) or clause (b), as the case may be, is used for building or other construction work unless the required entries have been made in such register and certificates.
Knotting of Chains and Wire Ropes
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work that no chain or wire rope with a knot in it is used in building or other construction work.
Carrying of Persons by Means of Lifting Appliances, etc.
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that a worker is raised, lowered, or carried by a power-driven lifting appliance except:
- (a) On the driver's platform in the cage of a crane.
- (b) On a hoist.
- (c) On an approved suspended scaffold. Provided that a worker may be raised, lowered, or carried by a power-driven lifting appliance:
- (i) In circumstances where the use of a hoist or of a suspended scaffold is not reasonably practicable and the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with.
- (ii) On an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway in case where the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with.
The requirements referred to in the proviso to sub-rule (1) are as below:
- (i) That the appliance referred to in such provision can be operated from one position only.
- (ii) That any winch used in connection with the appliance referred to in such proviso complies with the requirements of Rule 98.
- (iii) That no person shall be carried by the appliance referred to in such proviso except:
- (a) In a chair or cage.
- (b) In a skip or other receptacle at least three feet deep, which is suitable for the safe carriage of a person, and any such chair, cage, skip, or other receptacle is made of good construction, sound material, and has adequate strength and is properly maintained with suitable means to prevent any occupant therein from falling out of it and is free from any material which may interfere with the handhold or foothold of such occupant or otherwise endanger him.
- (i) That suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the chair, cage, skip, or other receptacle from spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any occupant therein.
Hoists Carrying Persons
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) No worker is carried by a hoist unless it is provided with a cage:
- (i) So constructed as to prevent, when its gates are shut, any worker carried by such hoist from falling out of it or from being trapped between any part of such hoist or from being struck by materials falling down the hoist way on which such hoist is moving.
- (ii) Fitted on each of its sides from which access is provided to a landing place with a gate which has efficient interlocking or other devices to secure so that the gate cannot be opened except when such cage is at a landing place and that such cage cannot be moved away from any such place until such gate is closed.
- (b) Every gate in the hoist way enclosure of such hoist used for carrying persons is fitted with efficient interlocking or other devices to secure so that the gate cannot be opened except when the cage of such gate is at the landing place, and that such cage cannot be moved away from the landing place until such gate is closed.
- (c) In hoists used for carrying workers, suitable and efficient automatic devices are provided to ensure that the cage of such hoist comes to rest at a point above the lowest point to which such cage may travel.
Tower Cranes
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) No person other than the operator trained and capable to work at heights is employed to operate tower cranes.
- (b) The ground on which a tower crane stands has adequate bearing capacity.
- (c) Bases for tower cranes and trucks for rail-mounted tower cranes are firm and leveled, and such cranes are erected at a reasonably safe distance from excavations and are operated within gradient limits as specified by the manufacturer of such cranes.
- (d) Tower cranes are sited where there is a clear space available for erection, operation, and dismantling of such cranes.
- (e) Tower cranes are sited in such a way that the loads on such cranes are not handled over any occupied premises, public thoroughfares, railways, or near power cables, other than construction works for which such cranes are used.
- (f) Where two or more tower cranes are sited/operated, every care is taken to ensure positive and proper communication between operators of such cranes to avoid any danger or dangerous occurrences.
- (g) Tower cranes are used for loading magnet or demolition ball service, piling operation, or other similar operations which could impose excessive load stresses on the crane structure of such cranes; the instructions of the manufacturer of a tower crane and standard safe practices regarding such crane are followed while operating or using such crane.
Qualification of Operator or Lifting Winches and of Signaler, etc.
Every employer shall ensure that no person is employed to drive or operate a lifting appliance, whether driven by mechanical power or otherwise, or to give signals to the driver or operator of such lifting appliance or rigger or derricks unless he:
- (i) Is above 18 years.
- (ii) Is sufficiently competent and reliable.
- (iii) Possesses the knowledge of the inherent risks involved in the operation of lifting appliances.
- (iv) Is medically examined periodically as specified in Schedule V.
Use of Runways and Ramps by Building Worker
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) A runway or ramp provided for use by workers is not less than 430mm in width and is constructed of not less than 25mm thick planking or any other material of adequate strength to withstand the required load, supported substantially in relation to the span and braced. The design and construction of such runway or ramp are in accordance with the relevant national standards.
- (b) Every runway or ramp provided for use of workers located more than 3 meters above the floor or ground is on open sides provided with a guard rail of adequate strength and height of more than 1000mm.
Use by Vehicles
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) All runways or ramps are of sound construction, strength, and are securely braced and supported.
- (b) Every runway or ramp for the use of transport equipment like trailers, trucks, or heavier vehicles has a width of not less than 3.7 meters and is provided with timber curbs or any other material of adequate strength with not less than 200mm in width placed parallel to and secured to the sides of such runway or ramp, and such runways or ramps are designed in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Slope of Ramps
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that every ramp has a slope not exceeding 1 in 4, and the total rise of a continuous ramp used by workers carrying material or using wheelbarrows does not exceed 3.7 meters, unless broken by a horizontal landing of at least 1.2 meters in length or as provided in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Use by Wheel Barrows, etc.
The employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) Every runway or ramp used for wheelbarrows, hand carts, or hand trucks is not less than 1 meter in width and is constructed of not less than 50mm thick planking and is supported and braced suitably for such use. Every runway or ramp located more than 3 meters above the floor or ground is provided on the open sides with suitable guard rails of adequate strength.
Prevention from Drowning
Every employer shall ensure at a site that where, on or adjacent to the workplace of any site to which these rules apply, there is water into which a worker employed for work on such site may fall and has the risk of drowning, suitable rescue equipment is provided and kept in an efficient state for ready use. Measures are taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of such a worker from the danger of drowning, and where there is a special risk of such fall from the edge of adjacent land or from a structure adjacent to or above the water or from a floating stage on such water, secure fencing is provided near the edge of such land, structure, or floating stage, as the case may be, to prevent such fall. Such fencing may be removed or allowed to remain un-erected for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of workers to such work or the movement of material for such work.
Earth Moving Equipment and Vehicles
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) All vehicles and earth moving equipment are made of good material, proper design, and sound construction and are sufficiently strong for the purpose for which such equipment is used. They are maintained in good repair and are properly used in accordance with standard safe operating practices. Provided the truck or trailer employed for transporting freight containers are of the size sufficient to carry the containers without overhanging and are provided with twist locks conforming to national standards, at all the four corners of each of such truck or trailers. Such truck or trailers are certified for such use by an authority under the relevant law for the time being in force and are inspected by a responsible person at least once a month, and a record of such inspection is maintained.
- (b) All transport or earth moving equipment and vehicles are inspected at least once a week by a responsible person, and in case any defect is noticed in such equipment or vehicle, it is immediately taken out of use.
- (c) Power trucks and tractors are equipped with effective brakes, headlights, and tail lamps and are maintained in good repair and working order.
- (d) Side stanchions on power trucks and trailers for carrying heavy and long objects are:
- (i) Of sound construction and free from defects.
- (ii) Provided with tie chains attached to the top across the loads for preventing such stanchions from spreading out.
- (iii) Kept in position while loading and unloading.
- (e) Safe gangways are provided for the to and fro movement of workers engaged in loading/unloading of lorries, trucks, trailers, and wagons.
- (f) Trucks and other equipment are not loaded beyond their safe carrying capacity, which shall be clearly marked on such trucks and other equipment.
- (g) Handles of hand trucks are so designed as to protect the hands of the workers working on such trucks, or such handles are provided with knuckle guards.
- (h) No unauthorized person rides the transport equipment employed in such work.
- (i) A driver of a transport equipment maneuvers such equipment under the direction of a signaller.
- (j) Adequate precautions such as isolating the electric supply or erecting overhead barriers of a safe height are taken when earth moving equipment or vehicles are required to operate in dangerous proximity to any live electric conductor.
- (k) Vehicles and earth moving equipment are not left on a slope with the engine of such vehicles or equipment running.
- (l) All earth moving equipment, vehicles, or other transport equipment are operated only by such persons who are adequately trained and possess such skill as is required for the safe operation of such equipment, vehicle, or other transport equipment.
Power Shovels and Excavators
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) A shovel or an excavator, whether operated by steam, electric, or internal combustion, used for such work is constructed, installed, operated, tested, and examined as required under any law for the time being in force and the relevant national standards.
- (b) An excavator equipped for use as a mobile crane is:
- (i) Examined and tested in accordance with the requirements for such a mobile crane under these rules.
- (ii) Fitted with an automatic safe working load indicator.
- (c) Buckets or grabs of power shovels are propped to restrict the movement of such buckets or grabs while being repaired or while the teeth of such buckets or grabs are being changed.
Bulldozers
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) An operator of a bulldozer, before leaving such bulldozer:
- (i) Applies the brakes.
- (ii) Lowers the blade and sipper.
- (iii) Puts the shift lever into neutral.
- (b) A bulldozer is left on level ground at the close of the work for which such bulldozer is used.
- (c) The blade of a bulldozer is kept low when such bulldozer is moving uphill.
- (d) The bulldozer blades are not used as brakes except in an emergency.
Scrapers
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) A tractor and scraper are joined by a safety line at the time of its operation.
- (b) The scraper bowls are propped while the blades of such scraper are being replaced.
- (c) A scraper moving downhill is left in gear.
Pavers
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that pavers are equipped with guards suitable to prevent workers from walking under the skip of such pavers.
Road Rollers
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
- (a) Before a road roller is used on the ground, such ground is examined for its bearing capacity and general safety, especially at the edges of slopes such as embankments on such grounds. A roller is not moved downhill with the engine out of gear.