When installing gin poles, the employer must ensure that the following requirements are met:

(1) All applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, modification, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operation of gin poles as prescribed by the manufacturer or a registered professional engineer are met.

(2) The gin pole must be attached to a structure in an arrangement with its upper portion cantilevering above the tower top.

(3) The employer must ensure that when the gin pole is designed, consideration must be given to the possibility of personnel climbing the pole to perform rigging functions and for tie off points to accommodate fall protection equipment.

(4) The rooster head which is located at the top of the gin pole must meet the following requirements:

(a) The side plates must have bolts or pins with spacers around the sheave so the load line is held in place and side plate distance is controlled.

(b) Sheave diameter and groove must be designed for the load line size and type being used.

(c) The distance between the sheave edge and the side plate must not exceed twenty-five percent of load line diameter unless a mechanical means is provided to contain the load line within the sheave groove.

(5) Tracks used to guide and support gin poles during the jumping process must not be used as a bridle or mid-level support unless specifically designed for such use.

(6) The load line is used to raise and lower the intended load. The load line must leave the hoist at ground level, go through a block at the base of the tower, then up through the middle of the pole, through the rooster head and back down to the ground to pick up the intended load.

(7) A gin pole chart must be provided for each pole. Gin pole charts must contain all of the following information as a minimum:

(a) Identification number or other reference.

(b) Gin pole description.

(c) Safe lifting capacities (gross load) based on cantilever projection (La), overall gin pole length (L), and type of tag.

(d) Reaction forces at gin pole attachment points.

(e) A table to convert degrees to a field measurement.

(f) A warning that the load chart is for lifting loads and to reduce the safe lifting capacity by one half when lifting personnel.

(8) All lifts must be within the ratings allowed in the "load chart." Any lift or lifting to be allowed on a special basis, which is outside of the "load chart," must only be allowed at the direction of a registered professional engineer. Special monitoring and measuring conditions, as specified by the engineer, must be provided and used in the field during all "special engineered lifts."

(9) Markings for gin poles must be as follows:

(a) Each gin pole must be permanently marked with an identification number that references a specific load chart.

(b) For proper assembly, each section and leg of the gin pole must be marked in a specified sequence.

(10) The designer/engineer specified straightness tolerances must be used for inspection. Minimum inspection criteria for gin poles must be done by a qualified person as follows:

(a) A detailed documented inspection annually or within one year prior to being placed in service.

(b) A general visual inspection during assembly prior to use on a specific project.

(c) After any abnormal occurrence.

(11) Rigging equipment for the gin pole must comply with all of the following:

(a) Wire/synthetic rope, slings, chains, shackles, turnbuckles, links, hooks, sheaves, rotating rooster heads, blocks, and hoists, used in a gin pole lifting arrangement must meet the manufacturer's safe working load limits. In addition, each component other than chain slings, must have a nominal breaking strength of not less than five times the static load applied. Chain slings must have a nominal breaking strength of not less than four times the static load applied. Consideration for end fitting losses and actual positioning of connecting parts must be given.

(b) Lugs or other devices for lifting or attaching the gin pole in position must be designed with load and resistance factors appropriate for their intended use.

(c) Alloy chains and chain terminations must be rated for overhead lifting. Alloy chains must be identified with a manufacturer's mark indicating the grade of the chain.

(d) Only properly heat treated hooks and shackles shall be used. The manufacturer's load rating must be stamped on the product.

(e) The breaking strength of the sheave must equal or exceed the breaking strength of the wire rope intended for the sheave.