API 11ER-2022 pdf download Guarding of Pumping Units
5.3 Location
This refers to equipment which, because of its location, is not accessible to employees performing normal operating or maintenance procedures. Where a hazard would exist during maintenance, the equipment should be shut down and all power locked out or the equipment guarded in accordance with 7.2 or 7.3.
6 Items to be Guarded
6.1 General The following parts of a pumping unit should be guarded (components except sheaves and belts may be considered to be guarded by location if they are not easily accessible during operation of the unit due to the presence of other guards or moving components).
6.2 Sheaves and Belts Sheaves and belts on pumping units should be guarded by removable enclosures. An example of a typical enclosure is shown in Figure A.1.
6.3 Cranks, Counterweights, and Air Counterbalance Tanks Cranks, counterweights, and air counterbalance tanks should be guarded either by enclosures or guardrails. The use of guardrails for this application has proven adequate because cranks, counterweights, and air balance tanks are slow moving pieces of equipment and because there is no reason for an employee to perform maintenance or do other types of work on this equipment while the unit is in operation. Either enclosures or guardrails should be far enough from the moving parts to protect the employee from inadvertent contact but not so far that the employee might be tempted to use the space as a passageway. An example of a guardrail is shown in Figure A.2.
6.4 Flywheels Flywheels on gas engine prime movers for pumping units should be guarded by enclosures. The design of this enclosure should permit temporary access to the fywheel when necessary for engine starting. An example fywheel enclosure is shown in Figure A.3.
6.5 Horsehead and Carrier Bar In those instances where the horsehead or carrier bar descends to less than 84 in. from the ground or work platform, a securely fastened single or standard guardrail shall be installed. Examples of horsehead guards are shown in Figure A.4. The need for guarding the carrier bar and the polished rod stufng box shear point is not deemed necessary if the following practice is observed: the carrier bar, polished rod clamps, and polished rod liner clamps shall not travel within 6 in. of the top of the stufng box on the down stroke.
7 Requirements for Guarding
7.1 Enclosures
7.1.1 The enclosure prevents inadvertent placing of any part of the body in, on or over edges of the enclosure where it might contact a moving part.

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