Section 1425 – Keeping Clear of the Load

This section seeks to protect employees against being struck by a moving or falling load.

Safe Hoisting Routes

Where available, hoisting routes that minimize the exposure of employees to hoisted loads must be used, to the extent consistent with public safety.

Stationary Suspended Loads

While the operator is not moving a suspended load, no employee may be within the fall zone, except for employees:

• Engaged in hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load;
• Engaged in the initial attachment of the load to a component or structure; or
• Operating a concrete hopper or concrete bucket

Hooking, Unhooking or Guiding the Load

When employees in the fall zone are engaged in hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load, or are connecting a load to a component or structure, all of the following criteria must be met:

• The materials being hoisted must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement
• Hooks with self-closing latches or their equivalent must be used. Exception: “J” hooks may be used for setting wooden trusses so that a worker need not go onto the truss to open the hook
• The materials must be rigged by a qualified rigger

Tilt-Up or Tilt-Down Operation 

During a tilt-up or tilt-down operation:

• No employee may be directly under the load
• Only employees essential to the operation are permitted in the fall zone (but not directly under the load). Such employees include those who must be in the fall zone to guide the load, monitor the load’s movement, or attach and/or detach the load