- Standard
Number: 1918.85
- Standard
Title: Containerized cargo
operations.
- SubPart
Number: H
- SubPart
Title: Handling Cargo
- Applicable
Standard: Applicable Standard:
(a)
Container
markings. Every intermodal
container shall be legibly and permanently marked with:
(a)(1)
The
weight of the container when empty, in pounds;
(a)(2)
The
maximum cargo weight the container is designed to carry,
in pounds; and
(a)(3)
The
sum of the weight of the container and the maximum cargo
weight, in pounds.
(b)
Container
weight. No container shall
be hoisted by any lifting appliance unless the following
conditions have been met:
(b)(1)
The
employer shall determine from the carrier whether a container
to be hoisted is loaded or empty. Before loading or discharging,
empty containers shall be identified in a manner that
will inform every supervisor and job boss on the site
and in charge of loading or discharging, or every crane
or other hoisting equipment operator and signalman, that
such container is empty. Methods of identification may
include cargo plans, manifests, or markings on the container.
(b)(2)
For
a loaded container:
(b)(2)(i)
The
actual gross weight shall be plainly marked and visible
to the crane or other hoisting equipment operator or signalman,
or to every supervisor or job boss on site and in charge
of the operation; or
(b)(2)(ii)
The
cargo stowage plan or equivalent permanently recorded
display serving the same purpose, containing the actual
gross weight and the serial number or other positive identification
of that specific container, shall be provided to the crane
or other hoisting equipment operator and signalman, and
to every supervisor and job boss on site and in charge
of the operation.
(b)(3)
Every
outbound container received at a marine terminal ready
to load aboard a vessel without further consolidation
or loading shall be weighed to obtain the actual gross
weight, either at the terminal or elsewhere, before being
hoisted.
(b)(4)
-
(b)(4)(i)
When
container weighing scales are found at a marine terminal,
any outbound container with a load consolidated at that
terminal shall be weighed to obtain the actual weight
before being hoisted.
(b)(4)(ii)
If
the terminal has no scales, the actual gross weight may
be calculated from the container's contents and the container's
empty weight. The weights used in the calculation shall
be posted conspicuously on the container, with the name
of the person making the calculation, and the date.
(b)(5)
Open
top vehicle-carrying containers, and those built specifically
and used solely for the carriage of compressed gases,
are excepted from paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this
section.
(b)(6)
Closed
dry van containers carrying vehicles are exempted from
paragraph (b)(4) of this section if:
(b)(6)(i)
The
container carries only completely assembled vehicles and
no other cargo;
(b)(6)(ii)
The
container is marked on the outside so that an employee
can readily discern that the container is carrying vehicles;
and
(b)(6)(iii)
The
vehicles were loaded into the container at the marine
terminal.
(b)(7)
The
weight of loaded inbound containers from foreign ports
shall be determined by weighing, by the method of calculation
described in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section or by
shipping documents.
(b)(8)
Any
scale used within the United States to weigh containers
for the requirements of this section shall meet the accuracy
standards of the state or local public authority in which
the scale is found.
(c)
Overloaded
containers. No container shall
be hoisted if its actual gross weight exceeds the weight
marked as required in paragraph (a)(3) of this section,
or it exceeds the capacity of the lifting appliance.
(d)
Container
inspection.
(d)(1)
Prior
to hoisting, each container shall be inspected for any
visible defects in structural members and fittings that
would make the handling of such container unsafe.
(d)(2)
Any
container found to have such a defect shall either be
handled by a special means to ensure safe handling or
shall be emptied before handling.
(e)
Suspended
containers. The employer shall
prohibit employees from working beneath a suspended container.
(f)
Lifting
fittings. Containers shall
be handled using lifting fittings or other arrangements
suitable and intended for the purpose as set forth in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this section, unless
damage to an intermodal container makes special means
of handling necessary.
(f)(1)
Loaded
intermodal containers. Loaded
intermodal containers of 20 feet (6.1 m) or more shall
be hoisted as follows:
(f)(1)(i)
When
hoisting containers by the top fittings, the lifting forces
shall be applied vertically from at least four such fittings.
A less than vertical lift is permitted only under the
following conditions:
(f)(1)(i)(A)
The
container being lifted is an ISO "closed box container";
(f)(1)(i)(B)
The
condition of the box is sound;
(f)(1)(i)(C)
The
speed of hoisting and lowering is moderated when heavily
ladened containers are encountered;
(f)(1)(i)(D)
The
lift angle is at 80 to 90 degrees;
(f)(1)(i)(E)
The
distance between the lifting beam and the load is at least
8 feet, 2.4 inches (2.5 m); and
(f)(1)(i)(F)
The
length of the spreader beam is at least 16.3 feet (5 m)
for a 20-foot container, and at least 36.4 feet (11 m)
for a 40-foot container.
(f)(1)(ii)
When
hoisting containers from bottom fittings, the hoisting
connections shall bear on the fittings only, making no
other contact with the container. The angles of the four
bridle legs shall not be less than 30 degrees to the horizontal
for 40-foot (12.2 m) containers; 37 degrees for 30-foot
(9.1 m) containers; and 45 degrees for 20-foot (6.1 m)
containers.
(f)(1)(iii)
*
Lifting containers by fork lift trucks or grappling arms
from above or from one side may be done only if the container
is designed for this type of handling.
(f)(1)(iv)
Other
means of hoisting may be used only if the containers and
hoisting means are designed for such use.
(f)(2)
Intermodal
container spreaders.
(f)(2)(i)
When
using intermodal container spreaders that employ lanyards
for activation and load disengagement, all possible precautions
shall be taken to prevent accidental release of the load.
(f)(2)(ii)
*
Intermodal container spreaders that utilize automatic
twist lock systems shall be designed and used so that
a suspended load cannot accidentally be released.
(g)
Safe
container top access. A safe
means of access shall be provided for each employee required
to work on the top of an intermodal container. Unless
ladders are used for access, such means shall comply with
the requirements of 1917.45(j) of this chapter.
(h)
Employee
hoisting prohibition. Employees
shall not be hoisted on intermodal container spreaders
while a load is engaged.
(i)
Portable
ladder access. When other safer means are available, portable
ladders shall not be used in gaining access to container
stacks more than two containers high.
(j)
Fall
protection.
(j)(1)
*
Containers being handled by container gantry cranes.
(j)(1)(i)
*
After July 26, 1999, where a container gantry crane is
being used to handle containers, the employer shall ensure
that no employee is on top of a container. Exception:
An employee may be on top of a container only to perform
a necessary function that cannot be eliminated by the
use of positive container securing devices.
(j)(1)(ii)
*
After July 26, 1999, the employer shall ensure that positive
container securing devices, such as semi-automatic twist
locks and above deck cell guides, are used wherever container
gantry cranes are used to hoist containers.
(j)(1)(iii)
The
employer shall ensure that each employee on top of a container
is protected from fall hazards by a fall protection system
meeting the requirements of paragraph (k) of this section.
(j)(2)
*
Containers being handled by other hoisting devices.
Where containers are being handled by hoisting devices
other than container gantry cranes, the employer shall
ensure that each employee on top of a container is protected
by a fall protection system meeting the requirements of
paragraph (k) of this section.
(j)(3)
Other
exposure to fall hazards. The
employer shall ensure that each employee exposed to a
fall hazard is protected by a fall protection system meeting
the requirements of paragraph (k) of this section. Exception:
Where the employer can demonstrate that fall protection
for an employee would be infeasible or create a greater
hazard due to vessel design, container design, container
storage, other cargo stowage, container handling equipment,
lifting gear, or port conditions, the employer shall alert
the affected employee about the fall hazard and instruct
the employee in ways to minimize exposure to that hazard.
(k)
Fall
protection systems. When fall
protection systems required by paragraph (j) of this section
are employed, the following shall apply:
(k)(1)
Each
fall protection system component, except anchorages, shall
have fall arrest/restraint as its only use.
(k)(2)
Each
fall protection system subjected to impact loading shall
be immediately withdrawn from service and not be used
again until inspected and determined by a designated person
to be undamaged and suitable for use.
(k)(3)
Each
fall protection system shall be rigged so that a falling
employee cannot contact any lower level stowage or vessel
structure.
(k)(4)
Each
fall protection system adopted for use shall have an energy
absorbing mechanism that will produce an arresting force
on an employee of not greater than 1800 pounds (8 kN).
(k)(5)
Each
component of a fall protection system shall be designed
and used to prevent accidental disengagement.
(k)(6)
Each
fall protection system's fixed anchorages shall be capable
of sustaining a force of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) or be
certified as capable of sustaining at least twice the
potential impact load of an employee's fall. Such certification
must be made by a qualified person. When more than
one employee is attached to an anchorage, these limits
shall be multiplied by the number of employees attached.
(k)(7)
When
"live" (activated) container gantry crane lifting
beams or attached devices are used as anchorage points,
the following requirements apply:
(k)(7)(i)
The
crane shall be placed into a "slow" speed mode;
(k)(7)(ii)
The
crane shall be equipped with a remote shut-off switch
that can stop trolley, gantry, and hoist functions and
that is in the control of the employee(s) attached to
the beam; and
(k)(7)(iii)
A
visible or audible indicator shall be present to alert
the exposed employee(s) when the remote shut-off is operational.
(k)(8)
Fall
protection system components, other than the anchorages,
shall be certified as a unit of being capable of sustaining
at least twice the potential impact load of an employee's
fall. Such certification shall be made by a qualified
person.
(k)(9)
Each
fall protection system shall incorporate the use of a
full body harness.
(k)(10)
Each
device, such as a safety cage, used to transport an employee(s)
by being attached to a container gantry crane spreader,
shall have a secondary means to prevent accidental disengagement
and the secondary means shall be engaged.
(k)(11)
Each
fall protection system shall be inspected before each
day's use by a designated person. Any defective components
shall be removed from service.
(k)(12)
Before
using any fall protection system, the employee shall be
trained in the use and application limits of the equipment,
proper hookup, anchoring and tie-off techniques, methods
of use, and proper methods of equipment inspection and
storage.
(k)(13)
The
employer shall establish and implement a procedure to
retrieve personnel safely in case of a fall.
(l)
Working
along unguarded edges. The employer
shall provide, and ensure that the employee use, fall
protection meeting the requirements of paragraph (k) of
this section whenever the employee works along an unguarded
edge where a fall hazard exists (see 1918.2).
Footnote(5) heavily laden
container is one that is loaded to within 20 percent of
its rated capacity.
Footnote(6) Examples of work that may not be eliminated
by positive container securing devices and that may require
employees to work on top of containers include, but are
not limited to: installing or removing bridge clamps;
hooking up or detaching over-height containers; or freeing
a jammed semi-automatic twist lock.
Footnote(7) For the purposes of this paragraph, qualified
person means one with a recognized degree or professional
certificate and extensive knowledge and experience in
the subject field who is capable of design, analysis,
evaluation and specifications in the subject work, project,
or product.
Footnote(8) For the purposes of this paragraph, qualified
person means one with a recognized degree or professional
certificate and extensive knowledge and experience in
the subject field who is capable of design, analysis,
evaluation and specifications in the subject work, project,
or product.
[62
FR 40141, July 25, 1997]
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