Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders
Article 12. Pile Driving

§1600. Pile Driving.

(a) A danger zone shall be clearly delineated around the operating hammer where employees involved in cutting, chipping or welding operations shall be prohibited so as to protect them from the hazards of falling objects.

(1) The employer shall establish the danger zone.

(2) The danger zone shall be maintained under the supervision of a competent person.

(b) A blocking device capable of safely supporting the weight of the hammer shall be provided for placement in the leads under the hammer and used at all times while employees are working under the hammer.

Exception: Where it is necessary for a worker, momentarily, to lean through the leads to spot a pile under hammer, it is not required that the hammer be secured in the leads.

(c) Steam and air hammer hose connections.

(1) All pile driver hose connections including those to pile driver hammers, pile ejectors, or jet pipes shall be securely tethered with an adequate length of at least 1/4 inch (0.635 cm) alloy steel chain having 3,250 pounds (1,500 kg) rated capacity (working load limit), or equivalent strength alloy steel cable to prevent the line from thrashing around in case the coupling becomes disconnected.

(2) Chains or wire rope shall not be shortened with knots, bolts or other makeshift devices.

(d) When used, platforms shall be of sufficient size so that the employee can easily avoid contact with the hammer. It shall be surrounded on all sides, except between the hammer leads, with a railing or guard line 42 to 45 inches in height. Guard lines shall be taut and at least 3/8 inch wire rope or equivalent. If railings are used, they shall be constructed in accordance with Section 1620.

Exception: Pipe or structural steel railings of equivalent strength may be used.

(e) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that objects are secured against wind and accidental displacement, to prevent tools, material, and equipment from falling off elevated platforms. Toeboards shall be installed on all sides of the platform in accordance with Section 1621(b).

(f) Leads shall be provided with a ladder and adequate rings, or similar attachment points, so that the employee may engage a personal fall protection system to the leads. The personal fall protection system shall comply with the requirements of Article 24.

(g) Stirrups shall be provided for use on sheet piles or a mechanical device shall be used to guide the pile into place. If an employee is required to go aloft on sheet piling, the employee shall use an aerial device or ladder.

Exception: Where it is unsafe to use an aerial device or ladder, a boatswain's chair may be used in accordance with Section 1662.

(h) Employee(s) shall not ride the hammer.

(i) Where work is to be performed, walkways at least 20 inches in width shall be provided across piles or other open work with the exception of those piles on which the driver is standing.

(j) Where a drop hammer is used for driving piling other than sheet piling, a driving head or bonnet shall be provided to bell the head of the pile and hold it true in the leads.

(k) Ring buoys shall be provided in accordance with Article 13 and located where readily available at intervals not exceeding 200 feet on all structures over water under the course of construction.

Where employees are concentrated in groups, there shall be additional ring buoys consisting of not less than 1 additional buoy for each 25 employees in that area. Portable standards or equivalent means to hold the ring buoys in plain view shall be provided. Life saving boats shall be provided in accordance with Article 13.

(l) All floating rigs, with the exception of small work rafts or pontoons, shall be equipped with at least 2 ring buoys.

(m) In every crew there shall be a designated signaler, and the engine or winch operator shall receive signals from no other except, that when an employee is aloft, the hammer shall not be moved except on the signal of the employee aloft.

Note: For recommended standard hand signals, see Plate C-11.

(n) All deck engines, not operated by an operator on the throttle sides, shall be equipped with a cross extension of the throttle that is within the reach of the spool tender.

(o) Every hoisting drum used on a pile driver that uses a dog and ratchet arrangement to hold it in position shall be equipped with an adequate dog. This dog shall be readily visible from the engine operator's station or shall be provided with a directly connected and positive telltale device that will be visible.

(p) No arrangement of counterweights or springs on the dog shall be permitted which will allow the dog to be automatically disengaged either by relieving the load or rotating the drum.

(q) Stop blocks shall be provided for the leads to prevent the hammer from being raised against the head block.

(r) When the leads must be inclined in the driving of batter piles, provisions shall be made to stabilize the leads.

(s) Steam line controls shall consist of two shutoff valves, one of which shall be a quick-acting lever type within easy reach of the hammer operator.

(t) Guys, outriggers, thrustouts, or counter-balances shall be provided as necessary to maintain stability of pile driver rigs.

(u) All employees shall be kept clear when piling is being hoisted into the leads.

(v) When steel tube piles are being “blown out,” employees shall be kept well beyond the range of falling materials.

(w) When driving jacked piles, all access pits shall be provided with ladders and bulkheaded curbs to prevent material from falling into the pit.

Note: Section 5158 of the General Industry Safety Orders prescribes the minimum standards for preventing employee exposure to dangerous air contamination and/or oxygen deficiency in confined spaces.

(x) Hoisting of piling shall be done by hooks provided with a means to prevent accidental disengagement or a shackle shall be used in place of a hook.

(y) Taglines shall be used for controlling unguided piles and free hanging (flying) hammers.

(z) Hammers shall be lowered to the bottom of the leads while the pile driver is being moved.

NOTE

Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New subsections (q)-(w) filed 5-21-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 21).

2. Amendment filed 9-9-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 37).

3. Amendment of subsection (f) filed 7-30-97; operative 8-29-97 (Register 97, No. 31).

4. Amendment filed 5-24-2004; operative 6-23-2004 (Register 2004, No. 22).