OSHA Instruction STD 2-1.

9 OCT 01, 1990 Office of Construction and Maritime

Compliance Programs

SUBJECT: HAZARD ALERT--Use of 4 x 29 Wire Rope as Cargo Runner (Hoisting

Wire) for Loading/Discharging Cargo in the United States

A. Purpose. This instruction issues a HAZARD ALERT for 4 X 29 classification wire

rope having a 1-1/4-inch (1.25-inch) outside diameter (O.D.) used as a cargo runner
(hoisting wire).

B. Scope. This instruction applies OSHA-wide.

C. References. The following OSHA Maritime standards and instruction are applicable:

1. OSHA Maritime Standards, 29 CFR Part 1918--Longshoring. a. Subpart F--Ship's

Cargo Handling Gear, 29 CFR 1918.51, General requirements; and b. Subpart G--Cargo
Handling Gear and Equipment other than Ship's gear, 29 CFR 1918.74, Cranes and
derricks other than vessels gear. 2. OSHA Instruction STP 2.22A, CH-3, February 27,
1990, the State Plan Policies and Procedures Manual.

D. Action. Regional Administrators and Area Directors shall ensure that compliance
officers conducting maritime inspections:

1. Ensure that 4 x 29 wire rope, 1-1/4-inch O.D., which is used for loading or discharging
cargo in the United States, is being used with a minimum of 64.0-inch diameter sheaves,
rollers drums, and/or blocks. The 4 x 29 wire rope shall not be used if such configuration
arrangements are not met. 2. Issue citations citing 29 CFR 1918.51(b) for shipboard cargo
handling gear installations, and 29 CFR 1918.74(a)(8) for shore-based material handling
devices, if they observe 4 x 29 wire rope, 1-1/4-inch O.D., being used with sheaves,
rollers, drums, and/or blocks that are less than 64.0 inches in diameter.
  Drag the lift to its stowage position by taking up on the cargo runner with the
winch. It is often necessary to drag one end of a lift to the place of stowage; then shift
the snatch block to another position to drag the other end. Therefore, an additional
snatch block is hung in the second position before starting the dragline precautions.

(10) Many vessels have special runners that are used for dragline operations, and it is
often necessary to use them, and to take them off the boom. When cargo runners are
used, personnel must—

 Always strip the cargo runner from the boom and lead it from the winch to the
heelblock and then to the hold.

 Always use a fairlead snatch block at the top of the hatch inside the coaming.
 Never run the cargo runner under the coaming. The runner will fray when pulled
over the metal edges.

(11) When dragline operations are in progress, personnel must—

 Use additional snatch blocks as fairleads to prevent chafing.

 Lead runners to power at an adjacent hatch, warping winch, or anchor windlass
when using jumbo booms for heavy lifts.
 Never drag with the cargo hook unless there is no other means to apply power to
the dragline.
 Use a tackle (Figure 8-3) if the lift is too heavy for the winch to pull. If necessary,
improvise a tackle using additional snatch blocks.
 Fasten beam clamps to the stiffeners or frames for securing snatch blocks when
no pad eyes are available (Figure 8-3).
 Never pull on the side of a pad eye. This will cause the pad eye to bend over on
its side.