29 CFR 1910.68(e)

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
e-CFR data is current as of July 30, 2020
Title 29 → Subtitle B → Chapter XVII → Part 1910 → Subpart F → §1910.68

Title 29: Labor
PART 1910—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS
Subpart F—Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms

§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.
(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 B15.11953 (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.
(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 uprunning 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
down-running 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 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.
(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.

(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:
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.
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]