34 Pa. Code § 47.167 – Maintenance.

(a) Inspectors. Ladles, shanks, tongs, slings, yokes, skimmers, and slag hoes used in the pouring of molten metal shall, prior to their use, be inspected daily as to their safety by the men preparing and using them. A regular inspection as to their safety shall be made once a month by a man designated for that purpose. A monthly inspection shall also be made of the chains and cables on counterweights used in connection with drying ovens, and a record kept of such inspections.
(b) Fireways. Fireways connected with drying ovens, when built in the floor, shall at all times be protected by either a substantial protecting cover or a standard railing as defined in Subchapter G (relating to railing, toeboards, open-sided floors, platforms and runways).
(c) Trapdoors. Trapdoors shall be guarded when open, either by standard railings as defined in Subchapter G or by watchman. All pits shall be covered or railed when not in use and sufficiently guarded at other times.
(d) Passageways and stairs. Passageways, stairways, inclines, runways, charging decks and platforms shall be properly lighted and have tread surfaces so constructed and maintained that persons walking on them do not slip or trip, and safeguarded with standard railings as defined in Subchapter G.
(e) Worm gears. All ladles pouring from the lip of 2,000 or more pounds capacity shall be equipped with a worm geared device for tilting the device. Ladles not so equipped shall be changed to conform with this requirement. All crane truck and trolley pouring ladles shall be so constructed that the center of gravity is below the bail, unless ladles are equipped with a geared device and a clip to prevent overturning.
(f) Trunions. Trunions on flasks shall sustain the loads they are required to handle. Trunions constructed after 1927 shall be carefully designed to carry the load they are to handle and constructed with a factor of safety of at least ten including bolts when they are used. The diameter of the button shall be equal to the diameter of the groove plus 1 1/2 times the diameter of the sling used to handle the flask. Inside corners shall be well filleted, and, in order to prevent the sling slipping off or riding the button, the radius of the corner between groove and button shall be approximately equal to the radius of the sling used with the remainder of the inside edge of the button straight. All trunions constructed after October 1, 1915, shall bear the date of their construction.
(g) Explosives. The use of high explosives on the foundry premises for the breaking of castings is prohibited unless effective protection is provided.
(h) Drop. The breaking of castings by the use of a drop inside the foundry during working hours is prohibited.
(i) Drop outside the foundry. When a drop is used for the breaking of castings or scrap outside of the foundry, a permanent shield of heavy planking or other effective protection shall be provided.
(j) Safety devices. Each employe shall use safety devices furnished for his protection by the employer, when there is a hazard connected with his employment.
(k) Legs and feet. Persons employed in iron or steel foundries who remove or handle pots or ladles containing molten metal from furnaces shall be provided with protection for the legs and feet and worn at all times while engaged in such work.
(l) Head and eye. Each employe whose head, eyes or neck is subject to injury from flying particles, heat or glare, or from the handling of molten metal shall be provided with and use protection as specified in Chapter 39, Subchapter C (relating to head and eye protection).
(m) Tumbler barrels. Tumbling barrels shall be guarded as follows:
1. (1) All drive belts, gears and shafting shall be guarded as required by Chapter 29 (relating to mechanical apparatus—miscellaneous) on all types of tumbling barrels.
2. (2) Horizontal revolving and reciprocating tumbling barrels operated singly or in a single line shall be guarded as follows:
  1. (i) Loading and unloading sides shall be guarded either by a guard 6 feet high with not more than 1/2 inch mesh, such guard rising vertically or inclined, or a hood over the barrel supported by counterweights. In either method it shall be interlocked with a belt shifter.
  2. (ii) When a clearance of 15 inches on all sides of the barrel is obtained and the barrel revolved upwards from the loading and unloading sides with all projections pointed downward, no enclosure is required.
3. (3) When barrels operate back to back there shall be a platform over the shaft.