Section 7-3.1: Qualifications for and Conduct
of Operators and Operating
Practices
7-3.1.1 Operators
(a) Hoists shall be operated only by the following
personnel:
( 1) designated persons;
(2) trainees under the direct supervision of a designated
person;
(3) maintenance and test personnel when it is
necessary in the performance of their duties.
(b) No one, other than personnel specified in para.
7-3.1.1(a), shall enter a hoist operator's cab or operating
position with the exception of persons such as oilers
or supervisors whose duty requires them to do so, and
then only in the performance of their duties and with
the knowledge 'of the operator or other appointed person.
7-3.1.2 Qualifications for Operators
(a) Operators shall be required by the employer to
pass a written or oral examination and a practical
operating examination unless able to furnish satisfactory
evidence of qualifications and experience. Qualifications
shall be limited to the specific type of equipment for
which examined.
(b) Operators and the operator trainees shall meet
the following physical qualifications:
( 1) have vision of at least 20/30 Snellen in one
eye and 20/50 in the other, with or without corrective
lenses;
(2) be able to distinguish colors, regardless of
position, if color differentiation is required for operation;
(3) hearing, with or without hearing aid, must be
adequate for the specific operation;
(4) have sufficient strength, endurance, agility, coordination,
and speed of reaction to meet the demands
of equipment operation.
(e) Evidence of physical limitations or emotional
instability which could render the operator a hazard to
himself or others, or which in the opinion of the
examiner could interfere with the operator's safe performance,
may be cause for disqualification. In such
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cases, specialized clinical or medical judgments and
tests may be required.
(d) Evidence that an operator is subject to seizures
or loss of physical control shall be reason for disqualification.
Specialized medical tests may be required to
determine these conditions.
(e) Operators and operator trainees should have good
depth perception, field of vision, reaction time, manual
dexterity, coordination, and should not be prone to
dizziness or similar undesirable characteristics.
7-3.1.3 Conduct of Operators
(a) The operator shall not engage in any practice
which might divert attention while actually engaged in
operating the hoist.
(b) When physically or mentally unfit, an operator
shall not engage in the operation of the hoist.
(e) The operator shall respond to signals only from
the person who is directing the lift, or an appointed
signalperson. However, the operator shall obey a stop
signal at all times, no matter who gives it.
(d) Each operator shall be held responsible for those
operations under the operator's direct control. Whenever
there is any doubt as to safety, the operator shall
consult with the supervisor before handling the load(s).
( e) Before leaving the hoist unattended, the operator
shall:
( 1) land any attached load, except as outlined in
para. 7-3.2.3;
(2) disengage clutches;
(3) put the handles of controls in the off position;
(4) open main switch or stop the engine;
(5) engage manual locking devices in the absence
of automatic holding equipment.
(f) If there is a warning sign on the switch or engine
starting controls, the hoist operator shall not close the
switch or start operations until the sign has been
removed by an appointed person.
(g) Before closing the switch or starting the hoist
engine, the hoist operator shall ensure that all controls
are in the off position and all personnel are in the clear.
(h) If power fails during operations, the hoist operator
shall:
( 1) set all brakes or locking devices;
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BASE-MOUNTED DRUM HOISTS
(2) move all clutch or other power controls to
the off or neutral position;
(3) if practical, the suspended load should be
landed under brake control.
(i) The operator shall be familiar with the equipment
and its proper care. If adjustments or repairs are
necessary, the operator shall report the same promptly
to the appointed person and shall also notify the next
operator.
(j) All controls shall be tested by the operator at
the start of a new shift. If any controls do not operate
properly, they shall be adjusted or repaired before
operations are begun.
Section 7-3.2: Handling the Load
7-3.2.1 Size of Load
(a) No hoist shall be loaded beyond the rated line
pull, except for testing.
(b) When rotation resistant ropes are used with an
operating design factor less than 5, but in no case less
than 3.5, the special provisions that follow shall apply.
( J) For each such lifting assignment:
(a) a designated person shall direct each lift;
(b) a designated person shall ascertain that the
rope is in satisfactory condition [paras. 7-2.4.1 (a)(1 )(a)(
d)] both before and after lifting; but more than one
broken wire in anyone lay shall be reason to consider
not using the rope for such lifts;
(e) operations shall be conducted in such manner
and at such speeds as to minimize dynamic effects.
(2) Each lift under these provisions shall be recorded
in the hoist inspection record and such prior
uses shall be considered before permitting another
such lift.
(3) Provisions of para. 7-3.2. I (b) are not intended
to permit duty cycle or repetitive lifts to be made with
operating design factors less than 5.
7-3.2.2 Moving the Load
(a) Care shall be taken in lifting to be certain that:
( J) hoist ropes are not kinked;
(2) there is no sudden acceleration or deceleration
of the moving load.
(b) Before starting to lift, if there is a slack rope
condition, the operator shall determine that the rope is
properly seated on the drum.
(e) The operator should be notified each time a load
approaching the maximum rated load is to be handled
so that the brakes can be tested by lifting the load a
few inches and applying the brakes.
(d) No load hoist drum shall be rotated in the
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ASME B30.7-2001
lowering direction beyond the point where less than
two wraps of rope remain on the drum.
(e) When swinging a load by means of a derrick
or similar structure, sudden starts and stops should be
avoided.
(f) When loads are lowered for long distances, the
user should check the thermal capacity of the brakes
and motors, as outlined by ratings or charts provided
by the manufacturer for both repetitive and intermittent
operation. Where maximum rated loads are being
lowered for long distances, power controlled lowering
usually is necessary to reduce the demand on the brake.
Additional cooling provisions may be required on fluid
transmissions or torque converters.
(g) Drum flange shall extend a minimum of 1/2 in.
(13 mm) over the top layer of rope at all times.
7-3.2.3 Holding the Suspended Load
(a) The operator shall not leave the controls while
the load is suspended unless the precautions in the
exceptions listed in (b), (c), or (d) below have been
taken.
(b) If the load must remain suspended for any considerable
time, a pawl or other equivalent means, rather
than the brake alone, shall be used to hold the load.
(c) As an exception to para. 7-3.2.3(a), the operator
may leave the controls, provided that prior to leaving,
an appointed individual and the operator shall establish
the requirements for dogging the hoist [see para. 7-
3.2.3(b)] and furnish notices, set up barricades, or
whatever other precautions may be necessary.
(d) Hoists, when holding anchor lines or applying
static pressure, are not considered as holding suspended
loads; however, prior to the operator leaving the controls,
the operator and an appointed individual shaIl
establish the requirements for braking, dogging the
hoist [see para. 7-3.2.3(b)], furnishing notices, setting
up barricades, or whatever other precautions may be
necessary.
7-3.2.4 Use of Winch Heads
(a) The winch head shaIl not be used without the
knowledge of the operator.
(b) The operator shall be within convenient reach
of the engine disconnect clutch control lever, or the
power control lever while a winch head is being used.
Section 7-3.3: Signals
7-3.3.1 Standard Signals. Standard signals to the
operator shall be in accordance with the standards
prescribed in paras. 7-3.3.2 and 7-3.3.3, unless voice
ASME B30.7-2001
communication equipment (telephone, radio, or equivalent)
is utilized. Signals shall be discernible or audible
at all times. No response shall be made unless signals
are clearly understood.
7-3.3.2 Hand Signals. Hand signals shall be in
accordance with Fig. 4 and shall be posted conspicuously.
7-3.3.3 Bell Signals. Bells of different tones shall
be used for boom and load. The signals shall be as
follows:
(a) When Operating. One bell or light means "Stop."
(b) When Stopped. One bell or light means "Raise;"
two bells or lights mean "Lower."
(c) When Temporarily Stopped. Two bells or lights
alternately on boom and load mean "Dog It Off' or
"Stopping For Some Time."
(d) When Dogged Off. Before starting, ring four
bells or light four lights alternately on boom and load,
meaning "Get Ready To Start Work Again."
7-3.3.4 Special Signals. Some special operation
may require additions to, or modifications of, the standardized
signals. These special signals should be
agreed upon and thoroughly understood by both the
signalperson and the operator, and should not be in
conflict with the standard signals.
7-3.3.5 Instructions. If it is desired to give instruc-
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BASE-MOUNTED DRUM HOISTS
tions to the operator other than those provided for in
the standard signal system, hoist operation shall be
stopped.
Section 7-3.4: Miscellaneous
7-3.4.1 Fire Extinguishers. Operating and maintenance
personnel shall be familiar with the use and care
of the fire extinguishers provided.
7-3.4.2 Refueling
(a) When refueling with a portable container, it shall
be a safety-type can equipped with automatic closing
cap and flame arrester.
(b) Gasoline powered hoists shall not be refueled
with the engine running.
( c) Fuel containers shall n