BY STACEY MARSTON, INSTRUCTOR LOSS CONTROL, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

Transcription

1 Vol. 62 No. 6 INSIDE 1 & 4 Pole Hauling 2 Accident 3 Accidents & Upcoming Events 4-10 Tie-Downs vs Lifting Devices Safety is published monthly by the Loss Control, Safety & Compliance Department at Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Topeka, Kansas. EDITOR: Larry Detwiler, Director, Loss Control, Safety & Compliance LOSS CONTROL, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON: Dale Short, Butler Tim Diederich, Bluestem Jim Currie, Brown-Atchison Dale Short, Butler Kent Davis, CMS Brian Lang, DS&O Dale Peak, Heartland Harold Hoss, Lane-Scott Ralph Phillips, LJEC Steve Epperson, Pioneer Steve Christy, Prairie Land Loren Dickens, Radiant Jim Ehrlich, Rolling Hills Gene Scheer, Sedgwick County Darrin Lynch, Western Bruce Mueller, Wheatland KEC STAFF LIAISONS Larry Detwiler Bruce Graham Pole Hauling BY STACEY MARSTON, INSTRUCTOR LOSS CONTROL, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE Digger Derricks First off let s start with head aching poles on the pole rack that some utility vehicles have. KSA (A), The load SHALL NOT extend more than 3 beyond the front bumper. FMCSR (A), any load that extends more than 4 off the back bumper must be marked with one or more 18 square, red or orange fluorescent flag. FMCSR (b) Position of Flags There must be a single flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 wide or less. Two warning flags are required if the projecting load is wider than 2. Flags must be located to indicate maximum width of loads which extend beyond the sides and/or rear of the vehicle. KSA (B), a single motor vehicle including the load, the legal maximum length is 45. What that means is we cannot carry more than a 45 pole on the truck. Digger Derricks with pole trailer KSA (E) and FMCSR Definitions Trailer (b) Pole Trailer means any motor vehicle which is designed to be drawn by another motor vehicle and attached to the towing motor vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being Continued on page 4 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

2 Accident March 2016 No Lost Time Lost Time Days Lost Employees Full-time Part -time Hours Worked Vehicles Used Miles Driven Ark Valley , ,517 0 Bluestem , ,441 0 Brown-Atchison , ,621 0 Butler , ,427 0 Caney Valley , ,059 0 CMS , ,047 0 DS&O * , ,398 0 Doniphan , ,479 0 Flint Hills , ,261 0 Heartland , ,765 0 KEC , ,326 0 Kaw Valley , ,475 0 Lane-Scott , ,437 0 LJEC , ,712 0 Lyon-Coffey , ,491 0 Nemaha-Marshall , ,603 0 Ninnescah , ,655 0 Pioneer , ,183 0 Southern Pioneer NO REPORT Prairie Land , ,940 0 Radiant NO REPORT Rolling Hills , ,330 0 Sedgwick County , ,882 0 Sumner-Cowley Twin Valley NO REPORT NO REPORT Victory , ,443 0 Western , ,459 0 Wheatland NA NA NA 0 Vehicle Accidents Total , ,951 0 *Accident Previously Reported 2 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

3 Accident Reports March 2016 March 2016 Victory, Dodge City Injury: Laceration to lower lip. Cause: Cooperative employee was releasing tie-down straps on cooperative s pole trailer, hand slipped off, pole came back striking employee in the face, requiring five sutures. Lost Time: No March 2016 LJEC, McLouth No accident form submitted. Lost Time: Yes (16 days) March 9, 2016 Wheatland, Scott City Injury: Muscle strain to knee. Cause: Cooperative employee was running through ditch to assist with tensioning conductor across highway. Lost Time: Yes (5 days) March 11, 2016 DS&O, Solomon Injury: Right-eye. Cause: Cooperative employee was assisting in framing wooden distribution structures, due to the windy conditions dirt blew into employee s right eye. Lost Time: No March 23, 2016 Bluestem, Wamego Injury: Rash on neck, chest and arms. Cause: Cooperative employee was clearing right-of-way and came in contact with poison ivy. Lost Time: No March 23, 2016 Prairie Land, Norton Injury: Contusion to top of left foot and toes. Cause: Cooperative employee was installing the forklift fork, fork fell off striking the employee on the foot. Lost Time: No March 29, 2016 Rolling Hills, Mankato Injury: Numbness and pain in left wrist. Cause: Symptoms started about six weeks ago. Lost Time: No UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 4-5, 2016 Material Managers Meeting (Salina) SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2016 KEC Hotline School (Pratt Vo-Tech) SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2016 KEC Hotline School (Manhattan Vo-Tech) SEPTEMBER 29-30, 2016 Line Supervisors Meeting (Wichita) NOVEMBER 15-16, 2016 Transformer Workshop (Topeka) NOVEMBER 17-18, 2016 Metering Workshop (Topeka) Federated Near-Miss Reporting Dear Safety Professional: As you are aware, Federated launched a Near-Miss reporting program in September of 2015, encouraging employees to report any and all near-miss incidents experienced at the system or through interaction with the general public. Some of you have asked if we have received any reported incidents and the answer is yes, we have. For expediency, I am sending the reported incidents to you so you have an opportunity to discuss these incidents, with your employees as soon as possible. I will provide more information as it becomes available, and in the near future, you will have access to this information by accessing our website. Thank you. R. COREY PARR, VP Safety & Loss Prevention , cparr@federatedrural.com Logon to SafeElectricity.org Find Safety Videos, Articles & Social Media Posts SafeElectricity is a great resource for images, videos, articles and social media posts about safety. Visit username: kansas (case sensitive) password: kselectric (case sensitive) KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

4 Pole Hauling Continued from page 1 boomed or otherwise secured to the towing motor vehicle, for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes, or structural members, which generally are capable of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections. For truck-trailer combinations the legal maximum length is 65, however there is an exception to this rule, which allows pole trailer combinations to be more. When we are pulling a pole trailer we have a limit of 85 from the front bumper to the end of the pole trailer load. More than 85 we need a permit (KSA ), the limitations in this section SHALL NOT apply to vehicles transporting such objects operated at nighttime by a public utility when required for emergency repair. KSA (E) Every vehicle SHALL be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of such load. Next is the light bar. FMCSR SUBPART B FOOTNOTE 10 Projections beyond rear of motor vehicles. Motor vehicles transporting loads which extend more than 4 beyond the rear of the motor vehicle, or which have tailboards or tailgates extending more than 4 beyond the body, SHALL have these projections marked as follows when the vehicle is operated during the hours when headlamps are required to be used (sunset to sunrise): f(1) f on each side of the projecting load, one red side marker lamp, visible from the side, located so as to indicate maximum overhang. f(2) f On the rear of the projecting load, two red lamps, visible from the rear, one at each side; and two red reflectors visible from the rear, one at each side, located so as to indicate maximum width. FMCSR When it comes to the trailer and the lighting it has several rules and 17 footnotes that the trailer manufactures should be meeting. If we have older trailers we need to make sure they meet the rule. With the information listed above hopefully that helps with what we are doing and what we should not be doing when it comes to hauling poles. Reprinted from the August 2013 issue of Safety. 4 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

5 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices BY LARRY E. DETWILER, DIRECTOR LOSS CONTROL SAFETY & COMPLIANCE I am writing this article due to the possible confusion for our Member Systems and their employees when trying to meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. During numerous On-Site Regulatory Compliance Visits throughout the state, Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP) Observations over numerous years, the question is always asked Is there a specific grade of alloy steel chain required when used as a tie-down or a lifting device? It appeared that the question was fairly straightforward and easily met to comply with several regulations. However, anyone who has ever researched, and then interpreted the rule/regulation to the best of an individual s abilities knows it is not as simple as it appears. Alloy steel chains commonly referred to as log chains or butt chains have been commonly used in the electric utility industry for years not only to tie-down equipment on utility vehicles and trailers, but also used in lifting of electrical equipment and materials. These devices, some at the cooperative for years, maybe since the cooperative was established, have been used successfully by cooperative line crews without incident. So let's get started with discussion of alloy steel chains, the first regulation to be discussed is the FMCSR and the requirements for tie-down devices; Development of a North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting and Following Cargo On September 27, 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT issued its final rule concerning revisions to the protection against shifting and following cargo for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). In the preamble of this final rule FMCSA states; the final rule does not include a prohibition on the use of unmarked tie-down devices. However, in view of the potential safety hazards of motor carriers misidentifying unmarked tie-downs, the final rule includes a provision that unmarked welded (alloy) steel chain be considered to have a working load limit (WLL) equal to that of grade 30 proof coil, and other types of unmarked tie-downs be considered to have a working load limit equal to the lowest rating for the type in the table of working load limits. The compliance date set by FMCSA was January 1, 2004 as the deadline for motor carriers to ensure compliance with this final rule What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems? (c) Prohibition on exceeding working load limits. Cargo securement devices and systems must be designed, installed, and maintain to ensure that the maximum forces acted on the devices or systems do not exceed the working load limit for the devices What standards must cargo securement devices and systems meet in order to satisfy the requirements of this subpart? (a) General. All devices and systems used to secure cargo to or within a vehicle must be capable of meeting the requirements of (b) Prohibition on the use of damage securement devices. All vehicle structures, systems, parts, and components used to secure cargo must be in proper working order when used to perform that function with no damaged or weakened components that will adversely affect their performance for cargo securement purposes, including reducing the working load limit, and must not have any cracks or cuts. (e) Manufacturing standards for tie-down assemblies (including chains, wire rope, steel strapping, synthetic webbing, and cordage) and other attachment or fastening devices used to secure articles of cargo to, or in, commercial motor vehicles must conform to the following applicable standards: (2) Chain National Association of Chain Manufacturers Welded Steel Chain Specifications (11/15/99). Continued on page 6 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

6 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices Continued from page How is the working load limit of a tie-down determined? (a) The working load limit (WLL) of a tie-down, associated connector or attachment mechanism is the lowest working load limit of any of its components (including tensioner), with working load limits of the anchor points to which it is attached, whichever is less. (b) Working load limits of the tie-downs may be determined by using either the tie-down Manufacturers markings or by using the tables in this section. The working load limits listed in the tables are to be used when the tie-down material is not marked by the manufacturer with the working load limit. Tie-down materials which are marked by the manufacturer with working load limits that differ from the tables, shall be considered to have a working load limits equal to the value for which they are marked. (d) Welded steel chain which is not marked or labeled to enable identification of its grade or working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for grade 30 proof coil chain. The LCS&C Department has consistently recommended that alloy steel chain used as tie-down devices to secure electrical equipment and supplies on utility vehicles have working load limits (WLL) established and visibly marked as noted on On-Site Regulatory Compliance Visit summaries, and general discussions at on-site safety meetings. There have been however, several states that have had electric utilities cited for not using alloy (welded) steel chain of grade 70 (transport) as listed in Table At the end of this article there will be several recommendations to help our member systems to meet this particular regulation, and the following regulation Table To [Working Load Limits (WLL), chain] Size mm () Grade 30 proof coil Grade 43 high test WLL in kg (pounds) Grade 70 transport Grade 80 alloy that is to be discussed next. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has two standards that would be applicable to lifting devices, (1) SUBPART N-MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE, (Slings) under General Industry, and (2) SUBPART H-MATERIALS HANDLING, STORAGE, USE, AND DISPOSAL, (Rigging equipment for material handling) under Construction; (General Industry) (a) SCOPE. This section applies to slings used in conjunction with other material handling equipment for the movement of material by hoisting, in employment covered by this part. The types of slings covered are those made from alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope (conventional three strand construction), and synthetic web (nylon, polyester, and polypropylene). (c) SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES. Whenever any sling is used, the following practices shall be observed: 1. Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used. 2. Sling shall Grade 100 alloy 1. 7 (1/4) 580 (1,300) 1,180 (2,600) 1,430 (3,150) 1,570 (3,500) 1,950 (4,300) 2. 8 (5/16) 860 (1,900) 1,770 (3,900) 2,130 (4,700) 2,000 (4,500) 2,600 (5,700) (3/8) 1,200 (2,650) 2,450 (5,400) 2,990 (6,600) 3,200 (7,100) 4,000 (8,800) (7/16) 1,680 (3,700) 3,270 (7,200) 3,970 (8,750) (1/2) 2,030 (4,500) 4,170 (9,200) 5,130 (11,300) 5,400 (12,000) 6,800 (15,000) (5/8) 3,130 (6,900) 5,910 (13,000) 7,170 (15,800) 8,200 (18,100) 10,300 (22,600) Chain Mark Examples: Example Example Example Continued on page 7 6 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

7 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices Continued from page 6 not be shortened with knots or bolts or other makeshift devices. 3. Sling legs shall not be kinked. 4. Sling shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities. 5. Slings use in a basket which shall have the loads balance to prevent slippage. 6. Sling shall be securely attached to their loads. 7. Sling shall be padded or protected from the sharp edges of their loads. 8. Suspended loads shall be kept clear of all obstructions. 9. All employees shall keep clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads. 10. Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling and its load while the sling is being tightened around the load. 11. Shock loading is prohibited. 12. A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting on the sling. (d) INSPECTIONS. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachment shall be inspected for damage or defects, by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, were service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective sling shall be immediately removed from service. (e) ALLOY STEEL CHAIN SLINGS 1. Sling identification. Alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach. 2. Attachments f f(i) Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear-shaped links, welded or mechanical coupling links or other attachments shall have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the alloy steel chain with which they are used or the sling shall not be used in excess of the rated capacity of the weakest component. f f(ii) Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods, or other such attachments, shall not be used. 3. Inspections. f f(i) In addition to the inspection required by paragraph (d) of this section, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis, to determined on the basis of (A) frequency of sling use; (B) severity of service conditions; (C) nature of lifts being made; (D) experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances. Such inspections shall in no event be at intervals greater than once every 12 months. f f(ii) The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination. f f(iii) The thorough inspection of alloy steel chain slings shall be performed by a competent person designated by the employer, and shall include a thorough inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in Continued on page 8 Table N Rated Capacity (Working Load Limit), for Alloy Steel Chain Slings Chain Size, Single branch sling - 90 loading Double sling vertical angle 1 Triple and quadruple sling 3 vertical angle 1 30 (60 ) 45 (45 ) 60 (30 ) 30 (60 ) 45 (45 ) 60 (30 ) 1/4 3,250 5,650 4,550 3,250 8,400 6,800 4,900 3/8 6,600 11,400 9,300 6,600 17,000 14,000 9,900 1/2 11,250 19,500 15,900 11,250 29,000 24,000 17,000 5/8 16,500 28,500 23,300 16,500 43,000 35,000 24,500 3/4 23,000 39,800 32,500 23,000 59,500 48,500 34,500 7/8 28,750 49,800 40,600 28,750 74,500 61,000 43, ,750 67,100 5,800 38, ,000 82,000 58, /8 44,500 77,000 63,000 44, ,500 94,500 66, /4 57,500 99,500 61,000 57, , ,500 86, /8 67, ,000 94,000 67, , , , /2 80, , ,900 80, , , , /4 100, , , , , , ,000 Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading measured as the included angle between the inclined leg and the vertical as shown in Figure N Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading between the included leg and the horizontal plane of the load, as shown in Figure N Quadruple sling rating is same as triple sling because normal lifting practice may not distribute load uniformly to all 4 legs. KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

8 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices Continued from page 7 length. Were such defects or deterioration are present, the sling shall be immediately removed from service. 4. Proof testing. The employer shall ensure that before use, each new, repaired, or reconditioned alloy steel chain sling, including all welded components in the sling assembly, shall be proof tested by the sling manufacturer or equivalent entity. 5. Sling use. Alloy steel chain slings shall not be used with loads in excess of the rated Table N Minimum Allowable Chain Size At Any Weight of Link Minimum Chain size, Allowable chain size, 1/4 13/64 3/8 19/64 1/2 25/64 5/8 31/64 3/4 19/32 7/8 4 5/ /16 1 1/8 29/32 1 1/ /8 1 3/32 1 1/2 1 3/16 1 3/4 1 13/32 capacities prescribed in Table N Slings not included in this table shall be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. 6. Reconditioning alloy steel chain slings. f f(i) Worn or damaged alloy steel chain slings or attachments shall not be used until repaired. When welding or heat testing is performed, sling shall not be used unless repaired, reconditioned and proof tested by the sling manufacturer or equivalent entity. f f(ii) Mechanical coupling links low carbon steel repair links shall not be used to repair broken links of chain. 7. Effects of wear. If the change size at any point of any link is less than that stated in Table N-184-2, the sling shall be removed from service. 8. Deformed attachments. f f(i) Alloy steel chain slings with cracker deformed master links, coupling links or other components shall be removed from service. f f(ii) Sling shall be removed from service if hooks are cracked, have been opened but within 15% of the normal throat opening measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook (Contruction) (a) GENERAL 1. Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service. 2. Rigging equipment shall not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load, as prescribed in Tables H-1 (allow steel chains) through H-20 in this subpart. 5. Scope. This section applies to slings use in conjunction with other material handling equipment for the movement of material by hoisting, in employments covered by this part. The types of slings covered are those made from alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope (conventional three strand construction), in synthetic web (nylon, polyester, and polypropylene). 6. Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, were service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective sling shall be immediately removed from service. (b) ALLOY STEEL CHAINS 1. Welded alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and sling manufacturer. 2. Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear-shaped links, welded or mechanical coupling links or other attachments, when used with alloy steel chains, shall have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the chain. 3. Job or shop hooks and links, or makeshift fasteners, or from bolts, rods, etc., or other such attachments, shall not be used. 4. Rated capacity (working load limit) for alloy steel chain slings shall conform to the value shown in Table H-1. Continued on page 9 8 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

9 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices Continued from page 8 Chain Size, Table H-1-Rated Capacity (Working Load Limit), for Alloy Steel Chain Slings1 Rated Capacity (Working Load Limit), Pounds [Horizontal angles shown in parentheses](2) Single branch sling - 90 loading Double sling vertical angle 1 Triple and quadruple sling 3 vertical angle 1 30 (60 ) 45 (45 ) 60 (30 ) 30 (60 ) 45 (45 ) 60 (30 ) 1/4 3,250 5,650 4,550 3,250 8,400 6,800 4,900 3/8 6,600 11,400 9,300 6,600 17,000 14,000 9,900 1/2 11,250 19,500 15,900 11,250 29,000 24,000 17,000 5/8 16,500 28,500 23,300 16,500 43,000 35,000 24,500 3/4 23,000 39,800 32,500 23,000 59,500 48,500 34,500 7/8 28,750 49,800 40,600 28,750 74,500 61,000 43, ,750 67,100 54,800 38, ,000 82,000 58, /8 44,500 77,000 63,000 44, ,500 94,500 66, /4 57,500 99,500 81,000 57, , ,500 86, /8 67, ,000 94,000 67, , , , /2 80, , ,500 80, , , , /4 100, , , , , , ,000 1 Other grades of proof tested steel chain include Proof Coil, BBB Coil and Hi-Test Chain. These grades are not recommended for overhead lifting and therefore are not covered by this code. (1) Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading measured as the included angle between the inclined leg and the vertical. (2) Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading between the inclined leg and the horizontal plane of the load. Table H-2-Maximum Allowable Wear at any Point of Link Maximum Chain size, allowable wear, 1/4 3/64 3/8 5/64 1/2 7/64 5/8 9/64 3/4 5/32 7/8 11/64 1 3/16 1 1/8 7/32 1 1/4 1/4 1 3/8 9/32 1 1/2 5/16 1 3/4 11/32 Nominal Chain Size Single Leg Slings Double Leg Bridle Slings Single Basket Slings 5. Whenever wear at any point of any chain-link exceeds that shown in Table H-2, the assembly shall be removed from service. 6. Inspections f(i) In addition to the inspection required by other paragraphs of this section, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis to be determined on the basis of: f f[a] frequency of sling use; f f[b] severity of service conditions; f f[c] nature of lives being made; and f f[d] experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances. Such inspections shall in no event be at intervals greater than once every 12 months. f f(ii) The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination. Okay, now that we have gotten through both OSHA regulations concerning alloy steel chains as lifting devices, I'm sure all of you have noticed on Tables Triple and Quadruple Leg Bridle Slings Double Basket Slings Horizontal Angle [Note 1] in mm lb lb lb lb lb lb lb 7/ ,100 3,600 3,000 2,100 5,500 4,400 3,200 9/32 7 3,500 6,100 4,900 3,500 9,100 7,400 5,200 5/16 8 4,500 7,800 6,400 4,500 11,700 9,500 6,800 3/8 10 7,100 12,300 10,000 7,100 18,400 15,100 10,600 1/ ,000 20,800 17,000 12,000 31,200 25,500 18,000 5/ ,100 31,300 25,600 18,100 47,000 38,400 27,100 3/ ,300 49,000 40,000 28,300 73,500 60,000 42,400 7/ ,200 59,200 48,400 34,200 88,900 72,500 51, ,700 82,600 67,400 47, , ,200 71, / , , ,200 72, , , ,400 NOTES: (1) The horizontal angle is the angle formed between the inclined leg and the horizontal plane [see figure 1(d)]. Continued on page 10 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,

10 Tie-Downs vs. Lifting Devices Continued from page 9 N-184-1, and H-1 have size of chain and working load limits listed, however the grade of alloy steel chain is not referenced. Please refer to footnote 1 at bottom of Table H-1 which refers to other grades of proof tested steel chain are not recommended for overhead lifting and therefore are not covered by this code. Both OSHA regulations for general industry and construction reference manufacturers recommendations on working load limits in referencing alloy steel chains. Please review OSHA's Guidance on Safe Sling Use Table 1 listed on page 9; Using OSHA's Guidance on Safe Sling Use Table 1, cross reference to Tables N-184-1, and H-1 it is very evident that only grade 80 alloy steel chain will meet the working load limits established within the two OSHA regulations. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the LCS&C Department that all alloy steel chain, and associated attachments used for a lifting device be a minimum grade 80. It is also recommended that all replacement chain and attachments be a minimum grade 80, and alloy steel chain used as tie-down devices also be a minimum grade 80 construction. This will minimize confusion, and limit the potential of an employee using the wrong grade of alloy steel chain regardless whether it is used as a tie-down or lifting device. The LCS&C Department would also like to introduce to our membership a new product on the market that that will assist cooperative employees in the safe procedure/methods when using alloy steel chains for tie-down or lifting devices. Shown below is a twist lock grab hook for alloy steel chain currently available in grade 80, and soon to be available in grade 100. This device was invented in Kansas, and if additional information is requested on the device, please ; sales@vision4safety.net for pricing, and availability. Reprinted from the August 2015 issue of Safety. 10 KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. PO BOX 4267, TOPEKA, KS,