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Subchapter 14. Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production
Article 22. Safety Belts and Lanyards
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§6580. Safety Belts and Lanyards.


(a) A safety belt and lanyard shall be provided for each employee working on a derrick or mast at a height more than ten feet (10') above the derrick or mast floor or more than ten feet (10') above the ground level if there is no floor.

The employee shall be required to wear the belt and see that it is securely fastened to a support by the life line or lanyard.

Exceptions:

(1) Employees engaged in erecting, dismantling, demolishing or cleaning a derrick or mast or their component parts where the nature of work is such that necessitates their continuously moving from one location to another in the derrick or mast as the job or operation progresses.

(2) Employees ascending or descending or otherwise traveling to or from a working place on the derrick or mast.

(3) Employees while on platforms equipped with standard railings.

(4) Employees performing work when standing on a ladder equipped with a safety cage, ring or equivalent at the working place.

(b) Safety belt and lanyard shall be capable of supporting a dead weight of 5400 pounds and be attached to an anchor or support.

(c) Each employee shall use a safety belt in good condition and shall inspect the safety belt and lanyard for defects prior to use. Defective equipment shall be removed from service.

(d) Lanyards shall be kept as short as possible to minimize the possibility and length of a free fall. Whatever the length of the lanyard, it shall be tied off as short as possible. Where the length of the lanyard would result in a free fall greater than four feet (4'), shock absorbing devices shall be provided. Care shall be used to see that the lanyard is attached to a fixed anchorage by means that will not reduce its required strength.

(e) All safety belt life lines shall be at least three-fourth inch (3/4") diameter three-strand manila rope or material of equivalent strength.

Such life lines shall be capable of withstanding a stress caused by a weight of two hundred pounds (200 lbs.) dropping a distance of six feet (6').

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

HISTORY

1. Repealer of subsection (c) and amendment of subsections (b) and (e) filed 7-20-59; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 59, No. 12).

2. Change without regulatory effect inserting "(c)" immediately preceding the second paragraph in subsection (b) filed pursuant to section 100, Title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 91, No. 7).

3. Amendment of article 22 heading, section heading, section and Note filed 5-8-95; operative 6-7-95 (Register 95, No. 19).

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