16.R.07 Pile-driving leads.
- Pile driving leads must be assembled using only the approved fasteners and torque values as required by the manufacturer. The leads must be of adequate size, length, and strength to safely accommodate the weight and length of the pile driving hammer, the pile to be driven, and the position (vertical or on a batter) in which they will be used.
- Employees must be prohibited from remaining on leads or ladders while the pile is being driven.
- Landings on leads must not be used for storage of any kind.
- Pile driving leads must have stop blocks to prevent the hammer from being raised against the head block, if so equipped.
- Pile driving leads must be free of projections or snags to minimize damage and personnel safety hazards.
- A blocking device, capable of supporting the weight of the hammer, must be provided for placement in the leads under the hammer at all times while employees are working under the hammer.
- A minimum weekly documented inspection of the pile driving leads must be conducted. If found to be unsafe, or whenever a deficiency that affects the safe use of pile driving leads is observed, they must be immediately taken out of service and their use prohibited until unsafe conditions have been corrected.
- Swinging leads must have fixed ladders or have bracing located such that its configuration will serve as adequate ladder rungs.
- Fixed leads must:
- (1) Have fixed ladders and if equipped with decked landings, must have guardrails, intermediate rails, and toe boards. Fixed ladders or stairs must be provided for access to landings and head blocks.
- (2) Be provided with guardrails or Personal Fall Protection Systems, to include Certified Anchorages, to provide fall protection for any workers exposed to falls of 6 ft (1.8 m) or greater, for work over water, over machinery, or over dangerous operations per Section 21.
- (3) Have a crane boom tip connection designed by a RPE that is familiar with the ASME B30 standards.
Parts of a pile driver
Exception: Where it is necessary for an employee to momentarily lean through the leads to guide a pile under the hammer, it is not required that the pile hammer be blocked in the leads.
16.R.08 Dogs, on pile-driver hoist drums, that automatically disengage when the load is relieved or the drum is rotated must be prohibited.
16.R.09 Guards must be provided across the top of the head block to prevent wire from jumping out of the sheaves.
16.R.10 All pneumatic or steam hose connections to pile-driver hammers, pile ejectors, or jet pipes must be securely attached with an adequate length of at least 1/4 in (0.6-cm) alloy steel chain, having 3,250 lb (1,475 kg) working load limit, or equal strength wire, to prevent whipping if the joint is broken.
16.R.11 Hydraulic/pneumatic/steam line controls must consist of two shutoff valves, one of which must be a quick-acting lever type within easy reach of the hammer operator.
16.R.12 Hoisting and moving pile.
- All employees must be kept clear when piling is being hoisted into the leads.
- Hoisting and driving of piling must be done by use of a closed shackle or other positive attachment that will prevent accidental disengagement of the rigging.
- Taglines must be used for controlling unguided piles and free hanging (flying) hammers.
- Hammers must be lowered to the bottom of the leads while the pile driver is being moved.
16.R.13 When driving jacked piles, all access pits must be provided with ladders and bulk headed curbs to prevent material from falling into the pit.
16.R.14 When it is necessary to cut off the tops of driven piles, pile-driving operations must be suspended except where the cutting operations are located at least twice the length of the longest pile cut-off from the driver.
16.R.15 Pile extraction.
- If piling cannot be pulled without exceeding the load rating of equipment, a pile extractor must be used.
- When pulling piling, the crane must be equipped with LMI devices (unless the load can be calculated and is within the load rating chart of the crane) and the booms must not be raised more than 60º above the horizontal. (This requirement does not apply to vibrating-type pulling devices.)
- Piling must not be pulled by tipping the crane, releasing the load brake momentarily, and catching the load before the crane has settled.
- Rigging. When pulling pile, the hook must have the positive locking safety latch. This latch must be secured so rigging gear roll will not occur.
16.R.16 Floating pile drivers.
See Section 16.L.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
16-23. What is used for hoisting and driving pilings to prevent accidental disengagement of the rigging?
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