Riding hoist blocks on oilfield drilling rigs

August 7, 1975

MEMORANDUM FOR: ROBERT C. TICE, JR.
Assistant Regional Director/Dallas
ATTN: C. R. HOLDER
FROM: BARRY J. WHITE
Associate Assistant Secretary for Regional Programs
SUBJECT: Request for Interpretation-Riding Blocks on Oilfield Drilling Rigs

Reference is made to memorandum dated June 10,1975, subject as above.

There is no standard covering the working condition noted which specifically relates to Oilfield Drilling Rigs. However, the same situation is positively addressed in the General Industry and the Construction Standards relating to material handling devices. 29 CFR 1910.180(h)(3)(v) states: "No hoisting, lowering, swinging or traveling shall be done while anyone is on the load or hook." 29 CFR 1926.550(b)(2) states: "All crawler, truck, or locomotive cranes in use shall meet the testing, maintenance and operation as prescribed in the ANSI B30.5-1968, Safety Code for Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes." ANSI B30.5, Chapter 5-3 operations, Section 5-3.2.3(e) reads: "The operator shall not hoist, lower, swing or travel while any one is on the load or hook."

The practice of transporting personnel immediately on the block would constitute a potential hazard, and in the absence of a specific standard addressing oil field drilling rigs for this situation, the general duty clause could apply.