053-5 Wyo. Code R. §§ 5-2 - Winches, Wire Ropes, Fiber Ropes and Chains

(a) Equipment used in winching operations shall be maintained in safe operating condition.

(b) All winch lines, anchors, snatch blocks, hooks, clamps and other fittings shall be of suitable size and capacity.

(c) All wire rope used in special services operations shall have a minimum safety factor of three (3), determined as follows:

Safety Factor = B (Nominal breaking point of the line in pounds x No. of lines)/ W (Calculated total static loads in pounds)

(d) All wire ropes shall be visually inspected by a competent person prior to each use, and shall be thoroughly inspected at least each six (6) months and a record made of such six (6) month inspection which shall indicate any defects noted. Such written report must be maintained on the job site while the winching unit is there. Any deterioration noted as the result of the inspection shall be recorded and a determination made as to whether the wire rope should be replaced. When the wire rope is replaced, it shall be noted on the inspection report. Any wire rope shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exist:

(i) When wire ropes are found to have four (4) percent of the total number or wires composing such wire broken in one lay;

(ii) When marked corrosion appears;

(iii) When corroded or broken wires at end connection are noted;

(iv) When end connections are corroded, cracked, bent, worn or improperly applied; or

(v) When evidence of kinking, crushing, cutting or unstranding are noted.

(e) The wire rope manufacturer's recommendations shall be utilized.

(f) On any winch drum on which wire rope is wound, the end of the wire rope shall be fastened securely to the drum.

(g) When the wire rope is in the fully extended position there shall be at least three (3) wraps on the drum.

(h) Cable used shall be in good repair. When respooling, care shall be used to avoid kinking. Cable clamps and thimbles, properly installed, shall be used.

(i) Chain used for materials handling shall be suitable for the type of service.

(j) Any chain shall be discarded or repaired if it has been stretched to the point where links bind, kink, lock or it has been broken.

(k) The practice of placing bolts or nails between two (2) links to shorten materials handling chains is prohibited.

(l) Splicing or repairing broken materials handling chains shall be accomplished by use of repair devices approved by the chain manufacturer. The use of welding, brazing, bolts, wire, nails and other such methods or devices is prohibited.

(m) Fiber ropes that have been cut, frayed (through one or more lays) or that have been in contact with caustic, acid, or any other chemical that might weaken them, shall be taken out of service immediately.

(n) Employees shall not be permitted to be under a suspended load.

(o) Cable clamps shall be installed according to Table 5-1.

(p) All traveling blocks, if used, shall be properly guarded.

(q) All traveling blocks or similar equipment shall be reasonably free of projecting bolts, nuts, pins or other parts upon which clothing of workers may be caught.

(r) All traveling blocks and similar equipment shall be maintained in good working condition and never exceed manufacturer's listed rating.

(s) Any slip hook used for lifting shall be equipped with a safety latch, mousing, or other means, such as a clevice, used to keep the load from falling off the hook.

(t) Catheads on which a rope is manually operated shall have a rope guide to hold the on-running rope in alignment with its normal running position against the inner flange.

(u) When a rope or line is in use on a cathead, all other ropes or lines shall be placed so as not to come in contact with the cathead or the rope or lines in use.

(v) When the cathead is unattended, no rope or line shall be left wrapped on or in contact with the cathead.

(w) Catheads shall be checked for grooves an rebuilt and turned or replaced when necessary to prevent fouling.

Notes

053-5 Wyo. Code R. §§ 5-2