Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25000
Timestamp: 2013-05-20 00:49:17
Document Index: 611525335

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1926', '§1926', '§1926', '§1926', '§1926', '§1926', '§1926']

01/19/2005 - Safety chain requirements for pile driving hammer hoses.
1926.603; 1926.603(a)(9); 1926.603(a)(10)
Mr. Sal Insogna
Massachusetts OSHA Consultation Program
Re: Safety chain requirements for pile driving hammer hoses.
Dear Mr. Insogna,
This is in response to your December 2, 2004, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asking for clarification of the requirements under 29 CFR 1926.603(a)(10) regarding safety chains for pile driving hammer hoses.
Question 1: Does §1926.603(a)(10) apply to all hoses on pile driving hammers, including hydraulic hammers and hydraulic hammer power packs?
Answer: In 29 CFR 1926.603 (Pile driving equipment), paragraph (a)(10) states:
The hazard addressed by this provision is that of workers being struck or injured by a hose should it "thrash" around if it comes loose from the equipment. By its terms, the provision is not limited to any particular type of pressurized system. Also, there is a thrashing hazard for disconnected hoses in pressurized hydraulic systems similar to that of equipment utilizing steam or compressed air. Therefore, the provision applies to hoses carrying pressurized hydraulic fluid on pile driving hammers.
The "power pack" pressurizes the fluid that operates the hammer and, therefore, is pile driving equipment subject to the applicable requirements of §1926.603. Some of the provisions in §1926.603 state that they apply only to certain parts of such equipment. For example, §1926.603(a)(9) contains requirements for "steam hose leading to a steam hammer or jet pipe" and for "air hammer hoses." However, §1926.603(a)(10) contains no such limitation, instead referring broadly to "each hose connection." Therefore, (a)(10) applies to hose connections at the power pack as well.
Question 2: What constitutes "equivalent means" as discussed in §1926.603(a)(10)?
Answer: As indicated above, §1926.603(a)(10) requires a safety chain or "equivalent means" to prevent a hose from "thrashing around" in the event of a disconnect between the hose and the equipment. The standard was written this way to give employers flexibility in using or developing other methods by which to prevent the thrashing hazard. Thus, any means which would effectively reduce the hazard to the same extent or better than a safety chain would constitute equivalent means. If you have a particular method on which you would like guidance regarding this provision, we would be happy to comment on it.