34 Pa. Code § 29.123 – Belts, ropes and chains.

(a) Belts located 6 feet or less above the floor or working platform shall be guarded except for the following:
1. (1) Vertical belts fastened with approved fasteners.
2. (2) Horizontal or inclined single ply belts less than 2 inches in width and double ply belts less than 1 1/2 inches in width if the belts are fastened with approved fasteners.
3. (3) Belts located within the frame of the machine and guarded by position.
4. (4) Horizontal or inclined belts so located that the run of the belt is guarded by position.
5. (5) Belts and pulleys of grinding machines used in the manufacture of aluminum or bronze powder if they are guarded by one of the following methods:
  1. (i) Eliminate metal lacers in belts and guard pinch point of pulley and belt.
  2. (ii) Eliminate metal lacers and provide in lieu of pinch point guard a belt shifter which is of a type that in itself protects the pinch point of pulley and belt.
6. (6) Horizontal or inclined belts, not including transmission or machine driving belts, running or pulleys less than 4 feet center to center and laced with approved fasteners, when there is a danger from fire through the accumulation of fly or lint.
(b) Overhead belts, ropes and chains running over passageways or machines shall be guarded when, in the judgment of the Department, sufficient hazard exists.
(c) Cotton or fabric belts whenever used shall be guarded.
(d) When the guards for pulleys, sheaves or sprockets carrying vertical or inclined belts, ropes or chains which run through the floor or working platform are located more than 4 feet above the floor on working platform belt, ropes or chains shall be guarded.
(e) All ropes or chains located 6 feet or less above the floor or working platform shall be guarded, except for the following:
1. (1) Vertical ropes or chains.
2. (2) Ropes or chains located within the frame of the machine and guarded by position.
3. (3) Horizontal or inclined ropes or chains so located that the run of the rope or chain is guarded by position.
4. (4) When there is a danger from fire through an accumulation of fly or lint, horizontal or inclined ropes or chains, not including transmission or machine driving ropes or chains, running on pulleys or sprockets less than four feet center to center.
(f) American and Continuous System Rope drives, so located that the conditions of the rope, particularly the splice, cannot be constantly and conveniently observed, shall be equipped with a telltale device, preferably electric bell type that gives a warning when the rope begins to fray.
(g) The guarding of belts, ropes and chains shall be by one of the following methods:
1. (1) Vertical belts, ropes and chains when required to be guarded shall be enclosed to the upper pulley, sheave or sprocket guard or to a height of at least 6 feet from the floor or working platform when the guard is not more than 4 inches from the belt, rope or chain at any point, or to a height of 5 feet if it is between 4 inches and 12 inches from the belt, rope or chain at any point. Guarding by standard railing may be used when approved by the Department if the railing is at least 15 inches but not over 20 inches from the belt, rope or chain at all points.
2. (2) Inclined belts, ropes and chains shall be arranged in such a manner that a minimum clearance of 6 feet 6 inches is maintained between the belt, rope, or chain, and the floor at any point outside the guard.
3. (3) Horizontal belts, ropes, and chains shall be guarded as follows:
  1. (i) Horizontal belts, ropes and chains shall be guarded to a height of at least 6 feet or to the top run of the belt, rope or chain. This guard may be an enclosure on all unprotected sides or a standard railing, when approved by the Department, placed at least 15 inches and not more than 20 inches from the belt, rope or chain at all points.
  2. (ii) When the upper and lower runs of horizontal belts, ropes or chains are so located that passage of persons between them would be possible, passage shall be according to any of the following:
    1. (A) Completely barred by standard guardrails or other barriers.
    2. (B) When passage is regarded as necessary there shall be a platform over the lower run guarded on either side by a complete railing, completely filled with wire mesh or other filler, or by a solid barrier. The upper run shall be guarded to prevent contact either by the worker or by objects carried by him.
4. (4) Overhead belts, ropes and chains shall be guarded as follows:
  1. (i) Horizontal and inclined belts, ropes or chains shall be guarded the entire run of the belt, rope or chain and follow the run of the pulley to the ceiling or to be carried to the nearest wall.
  2. (ii) Vertical belts, ropes and chains running over a lower pulley more than 6 feet above the floor or working platform shall be guarded around the bottom and up to a distance equal to a height of half the distance between pulleys.