eCFR 29 CFR 1910.68(e)

ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

e-CFR data is current as of February 9, 2017
Title 29: Labor
PART 1910—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS

§1910.68 Manlifts.
(a) Definitions applicable to this section—(1) Handhold (Handgrip). A handhold is a device attached
to the belt which can be grasped by the passenger to provide a means of maintaining balance.
(2) Open type. One which has a handgrip surface fully exposed and capable of being encircled by
the passenger's fingers.
(3) Closed type. A cup-shaped device, open at the top in the direction of travel of the step for which
it is to be used, and closed at the bottom, into which the passenger may place his fingers.
(4) Limit switch. A device, the purpose of which is to cut off the power to the motor and apply the
brake to stop the carrier in the event that a loaded step passes the terminal landing.
(5) Manlift. A device consisting of a power-driven endless belt moving in one direction only, and
provided with steps or platforms and handholds attached to it for the transportation of personnel from floor
to floor.
(6) Rated speed. Rated speed is the speed for which the device is designed and installed.
(7) Split-rail switch. An electric limit switch operated mechanically by the rollers on the manlift steps.
It consists of an additional hinged or “split” rail, mounted on the regular guide rail, over which the step
rollers pass. It is springloaded in the “split” position. If the step supports no load, the rollers will “bump”
over the switch; if a loaded step should pass over the section, the split rail will be forced straight, tripping
the switch and opening the electrical circuit.
(8) Step (platform). A step is a passenger carrying unit.
(9) Travel. The travel is the distance between the centers of the top and bottom pulleys.
(b) General requirements—(1) Application. This section applies to the construction, maintenance,
inspection, and operation of manlifts in relation to accident hazards. Manlifts covered by this section
consist of platforms or brackets and accompanying handholds mounted on, or attached to an endless
belt, operating vertically in one direction only and being supported by, and driven through pulleys, at the
top and bottom. These manlifts are intended for conveyance of persons only. It is not intended that this
section cover moving stairways, elevators with enclosed platforms (“Paternoster” elevators), gravity lifts,
nor conveyors used only for conveying material. This section applies to manlifts used to carry only
personnel trained and authorized by the employer in their use.
(2) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide reasonable safety for life and limb.

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(3) Design requirements. All new manlift installations and equipment installed after the effective date
of these regulations shall meet the design requirements of the “American National Safety Standard for
Manlifts ANSI A90.1-1969”, which is incorporated by reference as specified in §1910.6, and the
requirements of this section.
(4) Reference to other codes and subparts. The following codes and subparts of this part are
applicable to this section: Safety Code for Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus, ANSI B15.1-1953
(R 1958); Safety Code for Fixed Ladders, ANSI A14.3-1956; and subparts D, O, and S. The preceding
ANSI standards are incorporated by reference as specified in §1910.6.
(5) Floor openings—(i) Allowable size. Floor openings for both the “up” and “down” runs shall be not
less than 28 inches nor more than 36 inches in width for a 12-inch belt; not less than 34 inches nor more
than 38 inches for a 14-inch belt; and not less than 36 inches nor more than 40 inches for a 16-inch belt
and shall extend not less than 24 inches, nor more than 28 inches from the face of the belt.
(ii) Uniformity. All floor openings for a given manlift shall be uniform in size and shall be
approximately circular, and each shall be located vertically above the opening below it.
(6) Landing—(i) Vertical clearance. The clearanace between the floor or mounting platform and the
lower edge for the conical guard above it required by subparagraph (7) of this paragraph shall not be less
than 7 feet 6 inches. Where this clearance cannot be obtained no access to the manlift shall be provided
and the manlift runway shall be enclosed where it passes through such floor.
(ii) Clear landing space. The landing space adjacent to the floor openings shall be free from
obstruction and kept clear at all times. This landing space shall be at least 2 feet in width from the edge of
the floor opening used for mounting and dismounting.
(iii) Lighting and landing. Adequate lighting, not less than 5-foot candles, shall be provided at each
floor landing at all times when the lift is in operation.
(iv) Landing surface. The landing surfaces at the entrances and exits to the manlift shall be
constructed and maintained as to provide safe footing at all times.
(v) Emergency landings. Where there is a travel of 50 feet or more between floor landings, one or
more emergency landings shall be provided so that there will be a landing (either floor or emergency) for
every 25 feet or less of manlift travel.
(a) Emergency landings shall be accessible from both the “up” and “down” rungs of the manlift and
shall give access to the ladder required in subparagraph (12) of this paragraph.
(b) Emergency landings shall be completely enclosed with a standard railing and toeboard.
(c) Platforms constructed to give access to bucket elevators or other equipment for the purpose of
inspection, lubrication, and repair may also serve as emergency landings under this rule. All such
platforms will then be considered part of the emergency landing and shall be provided with standard
railings and toeboards.
(7) Guards on underside of floor openings—(i) Fixed type. On the ascending side of the manlift floor
openings shall be provided with a bevel guard or cone meeting the following requirements:
(a) The cone shall make an angle of not less than 45° with the horizontal. An angle of 60° or greater
shall be used where ceiling heights permit.

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(b) The lower edge of this guard shall extend at least 42 inches outward from any handhold on the
belt. It shall not extend beyond the upper surface of the floor above.
(c) The cone shall be made of not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge sheet steel or material of equivalent
strength or stiffness. The lower edge shall be rolled to a minimum diameter of one-half inch and the
interior shall be smooth with no rivets, bolts or screws protruding.
(ii) Floating type. In lieu of the fixed guards specified in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph a floating
type safety cone may be used, such floating cones to be mounted on hinges at least 6 inches below the
underside of the floor and so constructed as to actuate a limit switch should a force of 2 pounds be
applied on the edge of the cone closest to the hinge. The depth of this floating cone need not exceed 12
inches.
(8) Protection of entrances and exits—(i) Guard rail requirement. The entrances and exits at all floor
landings affording access to the manlift shall be guarded by a maze (staggered railing) or a handrail
equipped with self-closing gates.
(ii) Construction. The rails shall be standard guardrails with toeboards that meet the requirements in
subpart D of this part.
(iii) Gates. Gates, if used, shall open outward and shall be self-closing. Corners of gates shall be
rounded.
(iv) Maze. Maze or staggered openings shall offer no direct passage between enclosure and outer
floor space.
(v) Except where building layout prevents, entrances at all landings shall be in the same relative
position.
(9) Guards for openings—(i) Construction. The floor opening at each landing shall be guarded on
sides not used for entrance or exit by a wall, a railing and toeboard or by panels of wire mesh of suitable
strength.
(ii) Height and location. Such rails or guards shall be at least 42 inches in height on the up-running
side and 66 inches on the down-running side.
(10) Bottom arrangement—(i) Bottom landing. At the bottom landing the clear area shall be not
smaller than the area enclosed by the guardrails on the floors above, and any wall in front of the downrunning side of the belt shall be not less than 48 inches from the face of the belt. This space shall not be
encroached upon by stairs or ladders.
(ii) Location of lower pulley. The lower (boot) pulley shall be installed so that it is supported by the
lowest landing served. The sides of the pulley support shall be guarded to prevent contact with the pulley
or the steps.
(iii) Mounting platform. A mounting platform shall be provided in front or to one side of the uprun at
the lowest landing, unless the floor level is such that the following requirement can be met: The floor or
platform shall be at or above the point at which the upper surface of the ascending step completes its turn
and assumes a horizontal position.
(iv) Guardrails. To guard against persons walking under a descending step, the area on the
downside of the manlift shall be guarded in accordance with subparagraph (8) of this paragraph. To guard

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against a person getting between the mounting platform and an ascending step, the area between the
belt and the platform shall be protected by a guardrail.
(11) Top arrangements—(i) Clearance from floor. A top clearance shall be provided of at least 11
feet above the top terminal landing. This clearance shall be maintained from a plane through each face of
the belt to a vertical cylindrical plane having a diameter 2 feet greater than the diameter of the floor
opening, extending upward from the top floor to the ceiling on the up-running side of the belt. No
encroachment of structural or machine supporting members within this space will be permitted.
(ii) Pulley clearance. (a) There shall be a clearance of at least 5 feet between the center of the head
pulley shaft and any ceiling obstruction.
(b) The center of the head pulley shaft shall be not less than 6 feet above the top terminal landing.
(iii) Emergency grab rail. An emergency grab bar or rail and platform shall be provided at the head
pulley when the distance to the head pulley is over 6 feet above the top landing, otherwise only a grab bar
or rail is to be provided to permit the rider to swing free should the emergency stops become inoperative.
(12) Emergency exit ladder. A fixed metal ladder accessible from both the “up” and “down” run of the
manlift shall be provided for the entire travel of the manlift. Such ladders shall meet the requirements in
subpart D of this part.
(13) Superstructure bracing. Manlift rails shall be secured in such a manner as to avoid spreading,
vibration, and misalinement.
(14) Illumination—(i) General. Both runs of the manlift shall be illuminated at all times when the lift is
in operation. An intensity of not less than 1-foot candle shall be maintained at all points. (However, see
subparagraph (6)(iii) of this paragraph for illumination requirements at landings.)
(ii) Control of illumination. Lighting of manlift runways shall be by means of circuits permanently tied
in to the building circuits (no switches), or shall be controlled by switches at each landing. Where separate
switches are provided at each landing, any switch shall turn on all lights necessary to illuminate the entire
runway.
(15) Weather protection. The entire manlift and its driving mechanism shall be protected from the
weather at all times.
(c) Mechanical requirements—(1) Machines, general—(i) Brakes. Brakes provided for stopping and
holding a manlift shall be inherently self-engaging, by requiring power or force from an external source to
cause disengagement. The brake shall be electrically released, and shall be applied to the motor shaft for
direct-connected units or to the input shaft for belt-driven units. The brake shall be capable of stopping
and holding the manlift when the descending side is loaded with 250 lb on each step.
(ii) Belt. (a) The belts shall be of hard-woven canvas, rubber-coated canvas, leather, or other
material meeting the strength requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section and having a coefficient of
friction such that when used in conjunction with an adequate tension device it will meet the brake test
specified in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.
(b) The width of the belt shall be not less than 12 inches for a travel not exceeding 100 feet, not less
than 14 inches for a travel greater than 100 feet but not exceeding 150 feet and 16 inches for a travel
exceeding 150 feet.
(c) A belt that has become torn while in use on a manlift shall not be spliced and put back in service.

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(2) Speed—(i) Maximum speed. No manlift designed for a speed in excess of 80 feet per minute
shall be installed.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) Platforms or steps—(i) Minimum depth. Steps or platforms shall be not less than 12 inches nor
more than 14 inches deep, measured from the belt to the edge of the step or platform.
(ii) Width. The width of the step or platform shall be not less than the width of the belt to which it is
attached.
(iii) Distance between steps. The distance between steps shall be equally spaced and not less than
16 feet measured from the upper surface of one step to the upper surface of the next step above it.
(iv) Angle of step. The surface of the step shall make approximately a right angle with the “up” and
“down” run of the belt, and shall travel in the approximate horizontal position with the “up” and “down” run
of the belt.
(v) Surfaces. The upper or working surfaces of the step shall be of a material having inherent
nonslip characteristics (coefficient of friction not less than 0.5) or shall be covered completely by a nonslip
tread securely fastened to it.
(vi) Strength of step supports. When subjected to a load of 400 pounds applied at the approximate
center of the step, step frames, or supports and their guides shall be of adequate strength to:
(a) Prevent the disengagement of any step roller.
(b) Prevent any appreciable misalinement.
(c) Prevent any visible deformation of the steps or its support.
(vii) Prohibition of steps without handholds. No steps shall be provided unless there is a
corresponding handhold above or below it meeting the requirements of paragraph (c)(4) of this section. If
a step is removed for repairs or permanently, the handholds immediately above and below it shall be
removed before the lift is again placed in service.
(4) Handholds—(i) Location. Handholds attached to the belt shall be provided and installed so that
they are not less than 4 feet nor more than 4 feet 8 inches above the step tread. These shall be so
located as to be available on the both “up” and “down” run of the belt.
(ii) Size. The grab surface of the handhold shall be not less than 41/2 inches in width, not less than 3
inches in depth, and shall provide 2 inches of clearance from the belt. Fastenings for handholds shall be
located not less than 1 inch from the edge of the belt.
(iii) Strength. The handhold shall be capable of withstanding, without damage, a load of 300 pounds
applied parallel to the run of the belt.
(iv) Prohibition of handhold without steps. No handhold shall be provided without a corresponding
step. If a handhold is removed permanently or temporarily, the corresponding step and handhold for the
opposite direction of travel shall also be removed before the lift is again placed in service.
(v) Type. All handholds shall be of the closed type.

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(5) Up limit stops—(i) Requirements. Two separate automatic stop devices shall be provided to cut
off the power and apply the brake when a loaded step passes the upper terminal landing. One of these
shall consist of a split-rail switch mechanically operated by the step roller and located not more than 6
inches above the top terminal landing. The second automatic stop device may consist of any of the
following:
(a) Any split-rail switch placed 6 inches above and on the side opposite the first limit switch.
(b) An electronic device.
(c) A switch actuated by a lever, rod, or plate, the latter to be placed on the “up” side of the head
pulley so as to just clear a passing step.
(ii) Manual reset location. After the manlift has been stopped by a stop device it shall be necessary
to reset the automatic stop manually. The device shall be so located that a person resetting it shall have a
clear view of both the “up” and “down” runs of the manlift. It shall not be possible to reset the device from
any step or platform.
(iii) Cut-off point. The initial limit stop device shall function so that the manlift will be stopped before
the loaded step has reached a point 24 inches above the top terminal landing.
(iv) Electrical requirements. (a) Where such switches open the main motor circuit directly they shall
be of the multipole type.
(b) Where electronic devices are used they shall be so designed and installed that failure will result
in shutting off the power to the driving motor.
(c) Where flammable vapors or combustible dusts may be present, electrical installations shall be in
accordance with the requirements of subpart S of this part for such locations.
(d) Unless of the oil-immersed type controller contacts carrying the main motor current shall be
copper to carbon or equal, except where the circuit is broken at two or more points simultaneously.
(6) Emergency stop—(i) General. An emergency stop means shall be provided.
(ii) Location. This stop means shall be within easy reach of the ascending and descending runs of
the belt.
(iii) Operation. This stop means shall be so connected with the control lever or operating mechanism
that it will cut off the power and apply the brake when pulled in the direction of travel.
(iv) Rope. If rope is used, it shall be not less than three-eights inch in diameter. Wire rope, unless
marlin-covered, shall not be used.
(7) Instruction and warning signs—(i) Instruction signs at landings or belts. Signs of conspicuous
and easily read style giving instructions for the use of the manlift shall be posted at each landing or
stenciled on the belt.
(a) [Reserved]
(b) The instructions shall read approximately as follows:

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Face the Belt.
Use the Handholds.
To Stop—Pull Rope.

(ii) Top floor warning sign and light. (a) At the top floor an illuminated sign shall be displayed bearing
the following wording:
“TOP FLOOR—GET OFF”

Signs shall be in block letters not less than 2 inches in height. This sign shall be located within easy view
of an ascending passenger and not more than 2 feet above the top terminal landing.
(b) In addition to the sign required by paragraph (c)(7)(ii)(a) of this section, a red warning light of not
less than 40- watt rating shall be provided immediately below the upper landing terminal and so located
as to shine in the passenger's face.
(iii) Visitor warning. A conspicuous sign having the following legend—AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
ONLY—shall be displayed at each landing.
(d) Operating rules—(1) Proper use of manlifts. No freight, packaged goods, pipe, lumber, or
construction materials of any kind shall be handled on any manlift.
(2) [Reserved]
(e) Periodic inspection—(1) Frequency. All manlifts shall be inspected by a competent designated
person at intervals of not more than 30 days. Limit switches shall be checked weekly. Manlifts found to be
unsafe shall not be operated until properly repaired.
(2) Items covered. This periodic inspection shall cover but is not limited to the following items:
Steps.
Step Fastenings.
Rails.
Rail Supports and Fastenings.
Rollers and Slides.
Belt and Belt Tension.
Handholds and Fastenings.
Floor Landings.
Guardrails.
Lubrication.
Limit Switches.
Warning Signs and Lights.
Illumination.

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Drive Pulley.
Bottom (boot) Pulley and Clearance.
Pulley Supports.
Motor.
Driving Mechanism.
Brake.
Electrical Switches.
Vibration and Misalignment.
“Skip” on up or down run when mounting step (indicating worn gears).

(3) Inspection record. A certification record shall be kept of each inspection which includes the date
of the inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or
other identifier, of the manlift which was inspected. This record of inspection shall be made available to
the Assistant Secretary of Labor or a duly authorized representative.
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49746, Oct. 24, 1978; 51 FR 34560, Sept. 29, 1986; 54 FR
24334, June 7, 1989; 55 FR 32014, Aug. 6, 1990; 61 FR 9235, Mar. 7, 1996; 72 FR 71068, Dec. 14, 2007; 81 FR
82999, Nov. 18, 2016]
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