Temporary Support Beam

[jimmyhutmacher]

We're planning on welding in a new wide flange beam into the existing boilerhouse structure to temporarily support a portion of the main steam piping. A lift lug will be welded to the underside of the temporary beam with typical rigging (shackles, chainfall, wire rope slings) attached. Is this temporary beam and lug required to be load tested according to OSHA 1926.251(a)(4)? Or is there another part of OSHA that the beam and lug apply to? Thanks in advance

OSHA 1926.251(a)(4) Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps, or other lifting accessories, for such units as modular panels, prefabricated structures and similar materials, shall be marked to indicate the safe working loads and shall be proof-tested prior to use to 125 percent of their rated load.

 

[Lomarandil]

Does the new beam remain in place after use? If so, I'd be inclined to say that section may not apply, but I'd be tempted to do it anyway for good practice.

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The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.

 

[jimmyhutmacher]

No, it'll be taken down after the work is completed. It'll be up for a couple weeks, max.

 

[Lomarandil]

I suppose a better question is taken down and put in a yard to use again (maybe this purpose, maybe another) or taken down and immediately sold for scrap?

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The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.

 

[jimmyhutmacher]

It could be used again in the future, but it'd be for a different purpose.

 

[jimmyhutmacher]

I have to think this is a pretty common occurrence, adding additional temporary structural steel to an existing building to hoist or support an item. No specific OSHA requirements?

 

[WinelandV]

jimmyhutmacher,

You've entered the grey area of OSHA and ASME requirements. It's not really rigging, and it's not technically a below the hook lifting device. Honestly, I would put the onus for OSHA determination on your company's safety manager/OSHA expert (i.e., punt to someone else in your company).

Getting it load rated and posted with the max load sounds excessive to me. However, I would still design it using BTH-1 requirements (see ASME B30). Ultimately, OSHA is a responsive agency (for the most part) as they don't have an army of inspectors going out uninvited to sites and facilities (they have some, but not enough to really worry about). If nothing everything goes smoothly, then this discussion ends up being moot. That being said, what happens in the event of an injury or, God forbid, a fatality during installation? Just some food for thought...

The other side to this is to make sure that the existing steel gets verified for its ability to transfer these new loads.