[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 27, Volume 7]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1917.49]

[Page 213]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                          OF LABOR (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1917--MARINE TERMINALS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart C--Cargo Handling Gear and Equipment
 
Sec. 1917.49  Spouts, chutes, hoppers, bins, and associated equipment.

    (a) Standing and running rigging and associated gear used as a 
permanent part of spouts, chutes or similar devices shall be inspected 
before each use and shall not be used if it has any functional defects. 
(See also Sec. 1917.50(c)(2) for certification requirements.)
    (b) Direct communication shall be provided between the discharge or 
shipboard control end of loading spouts and chutes and the point in the 
terminal from which the flow of cargo is controlled.
    (c) Chute and hopper openings which present a hazard shall be 
guarded to prevent employees from falling through them.
    (d) When employees are working on hoppers, the hopper shall be 
equipped with a safe walkway and means of access.
    (e) When necessary for the safety of employees, chutes shall be 
equipped with sideboards to afford protection from falling objects.
    (f) Chutes shall be firmly placed and secured to prevent them from 
falling.
    (g) When necessary for the safety of employees, provisions shall be 
made for braking objects other than bulk commodities at the delivery end 
of the chute.
    (h) Before an employee enters an empty bin:
    (1) Personnel controlling the flow of cargo into the bin shall have 
been notified of the entry; and
    (2) The power supply to the equipment carrying the cargo to the bin 
shall be turned off, locked out and tagged.
    (i) Before an employee enters a bin containing a bulk commodity such 
as coal or sugar, the employer shall ensure that:
    (1) Personnel controlling the flow of cargo into the bin have been 
notified of the entry;
    (2) The power supply to the equipment carrying the cargo to the bin 
is turned off, locked out and tagged.
    (3) The employee entering the bin wears a lifeline and safety 
harness; and
    (4) A standby attendant equipped to perform a rescue is continuously 
stationed outside the bin until the employee has left the bin.
    (j) Bin top openings that present a hazard to employees shall be 
covered to prevent employees from falling into bins.
    (k) Chutes and hoppers shall be repaired only by designated persons.
    (l)(1) Before power shoveling operations begin, a designated person 
shall inspect the equipment to be used. The inspection shall include at 
least the eye bolts, wires, and sheaves.
    (2) Power shovels and associated equipment with defects affecting 
safe operation shall not be used.
    (3) Before adjustments are made to a power shovel, wire, or 
associated equipment, the power supply to the shovel shall be turned 
off, locked out, and tagged, the belt stopped, and the hopper closed.