N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12, § 23-6.3 – Material platform or bucket hoists.

(1) The tower of every material hoist shall be supported by a firm foundation of such dimensions and area as to adequately distribute the intended load so as not to exceed the safe load-bearing capacity of the supporting soil. Tower bracing shall be constructed of such material and shall be so installed as to secured tower stability and rigidity and to keep the tower plumb.
(2) Each such tower shall be secured with guys or rigid braces at each corner at intervals not to exceed 26 feet vertically. Tower guys shall be at least one-half inch diameter improved plow steel wire rope and shall be securely fastened to adequate anchorages with wire rope clips in accordance with Table XVI of this Subpart.
(3) The erection and dismantling of any material hoist tower shall be performed only under the direct supervision of a designated person experienced in this type of work. Timber hoist towers shall be erected only to a height necessary for the performance of the work and shall be extended in height only when the construction work has progressed sufficiently to provide for the anchorages and bracing heretofore required. Hoist towers constructed of metal shall not be erected to a height exceeding 50 feet above the highest portion of the buildings or other structures which may be used as suitable anchorages for guying such towers.
(4) Hoist towers shall be so constructed that there shall be at least four feet of clearance between the lowest point on the circumference of the cathead sheave and the highest point on the hoisting rope fastening on the car or bucket when such conveyance is at the uppermost terminal or landing.
(c) Hoistway enclosures.
(1) Interior. Interior hoistways for material hoists shall be enclosed at every floor level to a height of at least eight feet on all sides except entrance openings. Such enclosures shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than No. 18 U.S. gage steel with openings which will reject a one-half inch diameter ball or such enclosures shall be partitions of exterior grade plywood at least three-quarters inch thick, of wood slats not less than three-quarters inch thick installed horizontally and spaced not more than two inches apart or of other material of equivalent strength. Such enclosures shall be adequately supported, braced and secured.
(2) Enclosed exterior. When any exterior hoistway for a material hoist is enclosed, such enclosure shall extend from the lowest terminal points to the cathead elevations on all sides except entrance openings. Such enclosures shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than No. 18 U.S. gage steel with openings which will reject a one-half inch diameter ball.
(3) Unenclosed exterior. When any exterior hoistway for a material hoist is unenclosed, the following requirements shall apply:
1. (i) Such hoistway shall be enclosed at the ground or grade level to a height of at least six feet on all sides except entrance openings. Such enclosure shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than No. 18 U.S. gage steel with openings which will reject a one-half inch diameter ball. Entrance openings of any such hoistway shall be provided with gates or bars in compliance with this Part (rule) except that sliding bars may be used in lieu of hinged bars. Such gates or bars shall be kept closed whenever the car is hoisted.
2. (ii) In addition to the enclosure of the hoist car as required by this Part (rule), each loading side of any such car shall be provided with a self-closing gate at least 66 inches in height, constructed of the same material as the car enclosure.
3. (iii) Where any point on a moving car or counterweight of a material hoist passes less than eight feet from a floor, roof, scaffold platform or other work surface or position, such floor, roof, scaffold platform or other work surface shall be provided with a partition at least six feet in height. Such partition shall extend horizontally at least five feet past the horizontal projection of the path of the car or counterweight. Such partition shall be at least equal in construction to hoistway enclosures as specified in this Part (rule).
  (d) Entrances to hoistways.
(1) All entrances to any hoistway used for material hoisting above the lowest loading terminal or grade entrance shall be guarded by substantial gates painted fluorescent orange or yellow. When closed, such gates shall guard the full width of the entrance openings. The top of each such gate shall be at least 36 inches in height above the floor surface when located two feet or more from the hoistway line. Any such gate located less than two feet from the hoistway line shall be not less than 66 inches in height above the floor surface. If such entrance gates are constructed with a grille, wire mesh, lattice or other openwork material, the openings therein shall reject a ball more than two inches in diameter. Any such gate shall have an underclearance of not more than two inches. Such entrance gates shall be either vertical sliding, horizontal sliding or swinging gates. Any swinging gate shall swing in the direction of egress from the car to the floor.
(2) At the lowest loading terminal or grade entrance, a wood or metal bar may be used to guard the entrance to a hoistway used for material hoisting. Such bar shall be painted fluorescent orange or yellow. Such bar shall be mechanically or electrically interlocked with the hoist car so that the bar shall be closed and locked before the car can leave the lowest terminal or grade level and cannot be opened until the car has returned to such level.
(3) Bars or pipes shall not be used to guard hoistway entrances at any level or floor above the lowest terminal or grade level.
(4) Gates at hoistway entrances above the lowest terminal or grade level shall be kept closed when the car is not at such entrances.
(e) Car construction.
(1) Hoist cars used for material hoisting shall be enclosed from floor to crosshead with solid enclosures on all sides not used for loading or unloading. Every such hoist car shall be provided with overhead protection installed at the crosshead to protect any person from falling objects or materials. Such overhead protection shall consist of planking at least two inches thick, exterior grade plywood at least three-quarters inch thick or other material of equivalent strength.
(2) In lieu of solid enclosures, hoist cars may be enclosed with expanded metal of not less than No. 9 U.S. gage steel with openings which will reject a one and one-half inch diameter ball. Such enclosed cars shall also be provided with toeboards at least four inches in height on all sides except those used for loading and unloading.
(3) Car platforms shall be provided with securely fastened blocks and cleats to prevent the rolling of wheeled vehicles and the shifting of other equipment.
(f) Guide rails.
The guide rails of material hoists shall be constructed of steel or sound, structural grade hardwood securely fastened at intervals so as not to deflect more than one-quarter inch during normal operation of the hoist.
(g) Operation of hoist.
The operation of any hoist car, bucket or platform is prohibited whenever persons are climbing the hoist tower or working on any part of the tower below the cathead.
Exception:
The platform, cage, car or bucket may be used to raise persons for authorized maintenance and repairs that cannot be done otherwise.
(h) Protection of operator.
The operator of every hoisting machine used with material platform or bucket hoists shall be provided with overhead protection against falling objects or materials. Such overhead protection shall be equivalent to tight planking not less than two inches thick supported to develop its full strength.
(i) Loading and roping of platform hoists.
The maximum safe capacity of each platform hoist shall be determined by using a factor of safety of eight. Such maximum safe capacity shall be posted conspicuously on the crosshead or side members of every such hoist and such capacity shall not be exceeded.
(j) Thoroughfare.
Hoistways for material hoists shall not be located either partially or wholly over sidewalks, passageways or other areas to which persons have access unless a broken-rope safety device is provided for each such hoistway. Such safety devices shall be capable of stopping and holding the platform or bucket with its rated load. Such safety device requirement shall also apply to the counterweights of such hoists, if provided.
(k) Riding.
Riding by any person on a material hoist is prohibited except for necessary inspection, maintenance and repairs. Signs to that effect shall be posted in conspicuous locations on both sides of the crosshead or side members and at every entrance to any such hoist. The legend on every such sign, in letters not less than one and one-half inches in height on contrasting backgrounds, shall read as follows:
“WARNING—RIDING BY ANY PERSON PROHIBITED”

(a) Design requirement.

Every material platform or bucket hoist erected after June 1, 1972 shall be designed by a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York. The design plans and specifications for any such hoist shall be kept on the job site available for examination by the commissioner.

(b) Material hoist towers.