Before the crew arrives, review hoisting-machine station protection, hoist tower guying and derrick guarding under Rule 4123:1-3-07, according to Ohio Administrative Code, and shovel safety under Washington State Legislature rules in WAC 296-155-77100.
Review shovel, hoist and derrick safety before the shift
Key Takeaways
- Ohio Administrative Code requires overhead protection equivalent to tight planking no less than two inches thick for hoist stations.
- Ohio Administrative Code requires hoist towers extending 25 feet or more above the roof line to be guyed.
- Washington State Legislature requires guarding exposed moving parts like belts and gears.
- Washington State Legislature prohibits unauthorized persons on shovels during operations.
- Washington State Legislature states seat belts are not required for equipment designed only for standup operation.
The pre-shift check confirms that equipment meets the specific safety conditions outlined in the cited rules. According to Ohio Administrative Code, Rule 4123:1-3-07 covers cranes, hoists, and derricks. This rule title reference serves as the baseline for verifying station protection and tower stability. Contractors should ensure that the physical setup on the site aligns with these defined categories before operations begin.
When walking the site, look for the specific elements named in the rule. The rule identifies cranes, hoists, and derricks as the primary equipment types requiring this verification. Your inspection should focus on whether the equipment falls into these categories and if the corresponding safety measures are in place. This initial step sets the stage for the detailed checks on station protection and tower guying that follow in the next sections.
A filled reference table of equipment safety rules
The following table lists nine points to review before the shift, organized by publisher; apply each rule according to the relevant jurisdiction and equipment. Each row cites the specific requirement detail from the source document.
| Safety Point | Publisher | Requirement Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Station protection | Ohio Administrative Code | Overhead protection equivalent to tight planking no less than two inches (5.1 centimeters) thick for the operator's station of a hoisting machine, according to Ohio Administrative Code. |
| Tower guying | Ohio Administrative Code | Guying is required whenever a hoist tower extends twenty-five feet (7.6 meters) or more above the roof line or last possible tie-ins to the structure, according to Ohio Administrative Code. |
| Pinch point guards | Ohio Administrative Code | Running lines and pinch points where a wire rope runs onto sheaves, blocks, or pulleys of derricks, located six feet or less (1.8 meters) from the ground or working level shall be guarded, except when loads are moved horizontally, according to Ohio Administrative Code. |
| Authorized access | Washington State Legislature | You must not allow unauthorized persons on the shovel during operations, and the operator must not converse with other persons while operating machine, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Moving part guards | Washington State Legislature | You must guard belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment if such parts are exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise create a hazard, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Swing range clearance | Washington State Legislature | All persons must keep away from the range of the shovel's swing and must not be permitted to stand back of the shovel or in line with the swing of the dipper during operation or moving of shovel, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Step and board repair | Washington State Legislature | Steps and running boards must be in good repair at all times, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Qualified operator | Washington State Legislature | Only a qualified operator may operate the shovel, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Seat belt exemption | Washington State Legislature | Equipment designed exclusively for standup operation does not require seat belts, according to Washington State Legislature. |
Verify the overhead protection thickness on the hoist station and check that steps are in good repair before the crew arrives.
Operator station and tower stability checks
Before the operator climbs into the hoist station, verify the overhead protection meets the required thickness. According to the Ohio Administrative Code, the operator's station of a hoisting machine shall be provided with overhead protection equivalent to tight planking no less than two inches (5.1 centimeters) thick. This specific thickness requirement applies to the station where the operator controls the machine. Do not assume thinner materials meet this standard; the rule specifies "equivalent to tight planking" at that minimum depth. If your site uses a different material, confirm it provides the same protective capacity as two-inch tight planking.
Check the tower height relative to the building structure to determine if guying is necessary. According to the Ohio Administrative Code, whenever a hoist tower extends twenty-five feet (7.6 meters) or more above the roof line or last possible tie-ins to the structure, it shall be guyed. Measure from the roof line or the last possible tie-ins to the structure. If the tower rises twenty-five feet or more above that reference point, install guy wires. If the tower extends less than twenty-five feet above the roof line or last possible tie-ins to the structure, this specific guying requirement does not apply under this rule.
These two checks address the physical stability and protection of the operator's position. The overhead protection shields the operator from falling debris, while the guying requirement addresses the structural stability of the tower at height. Both are critical before the shift begins. If the tower is not guyed when it exceeds the twenty-five-foot threshold, the structure may be unstable. Check that the station has overhead protection equivalent to tight planking at least two inches thick.
Walk the hoist station and measure the overhead planking thickness. Verify it is at least two inches thick. Then, measure the tower height above the roof line or last possible tie-ins to the structure. If it is twenty-five feet or more, confirm the guy wires are installed and secure. Record these measurements in your daily log. If the overhead protection is damaged or the tower lacks required guying, do not allow the operator to start the machine until the issues are resolved.
Guarding moving parts and pinch points
Pinch points on wire ropes present a specific hazard when the rope runs onto sheaves, blocks, or pulleys of derricks. The Ohio Administrative Code requires guarding these running lines and pinch points when they are located six feet or less (1.8 meters) from the ground or working level, except when loads are moved horizontally, according to Ohio Administrative Code. This rule applies specifically to the interaction of wire ropes with the mechanical components that guide them. For derricks, check guarding at running lines and pinch points where wire rope runs onto sheaves, blocks or pulleys within six feet of the ground or working level, except when loads move horizontally. The guarding exception applies when loads are moved horizontally.
Beyond wire ropes, the Washington State Legislature mandates that you must guard belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment if such parts are exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise create a hazard, according to Washington State Legislature. For shovels, this Washington rule requires guarding moving parts exposed to employee contact or otherwise creating a hazard. When you inspect the equipment, look for any exposed rotating or reciprocating parts that an employee could touch. If a part is exposed to contact or creates a hazard, it must be guarded. This is not limited to wire ropes; it includes the internal mechanics of the machinery that drive its operation.
Walk the equipment and identify any exposed moving parts or pinch points. Check guards on running lines and pinch points where wire rope runs onto sheaves, blocks or pulleys of derricks located six feet or less from the ground or working level, except when loads are moved horizontally. Check that belts, gears, and shafts are guarded if exposed to contact. Confirm that any safety devices are used according to the manufacturer’s procedures.
Access control and swing range safety
Before the crew starts, verify who is allowed near the shovel and where the swing range extends. Washington State Legislature rules under WAC 296-155-77100 define these boundaries for shovel operations.
Authorized access
You must not allow unauthorized persons on the shovel during operations, and the operator must not converse with other persons while operating the machine, according to Washington State Legislature. This restriction applies specifically to the shovel during its active operation. Do not interpret this as permitting riders if the operator is not currently speaking; the prohibition on unauthorized persons remains in effect regardless of conversation status.
Swing range clearance
All persons must keep away from the range of the shovel's swing and must not be permitted to stand back of the shovel or in line with the swing of the dipper during operation or moving of shovel, according to Washington State Legislature. This rule covers both the active operation and the movement of the shovel itself. When walking the site, identify the dipper's swing path and ensure no worker is positioned behind the machine or directly in line with the dipper's arc.
Qualified operator
It is mandatory that one be a qualified operator of the equipment in use, according to Washington State Legislature. Verify that the person assigned to the shovel holds the necessary qualifications before the shift begins. This requirement ties the operator's status directly to the specific equipment being used.
Walk the site and verify the overhead protection thickness on the hoist station and check that steps are in good repair before the crew arrives.
Blank worksheet for daily equipment verification
Record the shovel's access condition, operator qualification, access restrictions, moving-part guards and swing clearance in your daily log before the shift begins. The form below focuses on the specific repair and operational checks outlined in the provided safety rules. You will verify the physical condition of access points and the specific design exemptions for operator restraints. This worksheet serves as your daily record for these two critical areas of equipment safety.
Washington State Legislature requires that all steps, running boards, and boom ladders must be of substantial construction and in good repair at all times, according to Washington State Legislature. When inspecting the shovel, look for loose bolts, cracked metal or missing treads on these components. If any part is damaged, it fails the requirement for good repair. Record the specific condition in the notes column of the worksheet. This check applies to the physical structure that allows operators and maintenance staff to access the equipment safely.
Confirm the operator qualification before the machine starts. Washington State Legislature states that it is mandatory that one be a qualified operator of the equipment in use, according to Washington State Legislature. Verify the operator’s credentials against the specific equipment type before marking this field as complete. If the operator is not qualified for the specific machine, the verification fails.
Check for unauthorized persons on the shovel. Washington State Legislature states that you must not allow unauthorized persons on the shovel during operations, and the operator must not converse with other persons while operating machine, according to Washington State Legislature. Ensure the cab is clear of non-operators and that the operator is not engaged in conversation with others while the machine is active.
Verify the guarding of moving parts. Washington State Legislature states that you must guard belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment if such parts are exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise create a hazard, according to Washington State Legislature. Inspect exposed moving parts on the shovel to check that required guards are in place.
Confirm the swing range safety. Washington State Legislature states that all persons must keep away from the range of the shovel's swing and must not be permitted to stand back of the shovel or in line with the swing of the dipper during operation or moving of shovel, according to Washington State Legislature. Mark this field only if the area is clear of personnel standing in the prohibited zones.
Related guides
FAQ: Shovel, hoist and derrick safety checks
What thickness of overhead protection is required for a hoist operator station?
The operator's station of a hoisting machine shall be provided with overhead protection equivalent to tight planking no less than two inches (5.1 centimeters) thick, according to Ohio Administrative Code. This specific thickness requirement applies to the station protection for hoisting machines under the cited rule.
When must a hoist tower be guyed according to Ohio rules?
Whenever a hoist tower extends twenty-five feet (7.6 meters) or more above the roof line or last possible tie-ins to the structure, it shall be guyed, according to Ohio Administrative Code. This guying requirement triggers when the tower reaches that specific height relative to the structure's tie-ins.
Are seat belts required for equipment designed only for standup operation?
Seat belts are not required for equipment designed only for standup operation, according to Washington State Legislature. This exemption applies specifically to equipment that is designed exclusively for standup operation.
Who is permitted to be on the shovel during operations?
Only authorized personnel are permitted on the shovel while it is in operation.
What condition must steps and running boards be in at all times?
All steps, running boards, and boom ladder must be of substantial construction and in good repair at all times, according to Washington State Legislature. This requirement ensures that these structural components remain safe for use during equipment operation.