Lifting Equipment and Lifting Accessories Guidance

Introduction

Lifting equipment and lifting accessories are work equipment and as such, our policy and guidance on work equipment applies.

There are however, additional considerations, which must be taken into account when carrying out lifting operations.

This is a general guidance only, for further information on specific items of lifting equipment and lifting accessories, please consult the manufacturer or contact Croner Consulting (formerly IRPC).

Definition

The definition of "lifting equipment" and "lifting accessories" includes:

Passenger lifts (lifting equipment used for lifting persons should be marked as such).
Goods lifts (Marked "Goods Only").
Window cleaning cradles and equipment and abseiling equipment used for window cleaning.
Cranes, pulley blocks, lifting winches, lifting beams and runway trolleys.
Vehicle tail lifts.
Fork lift trucks.
Lifting platforms, scissor lifts etc.

This list is not exhaustive.

Main Hazards

The main hazards associated with the use of this equipment are:

Falling objects.
Collapse or overturning of lifting equipment.
Failure of accessories for lifting.
Being struck by lifting equipment or loads.
Falling from or within lifting equipment.
The effects of high winds and other adverse weather conditions.
Being trapped by lifting equipment.
Overloading lifting equipment.

Accidents and causes of failure and damage can often be contributed to:

Poor or no training.
Poor load planning or supervision.
Improper use or abuse.
Overloading.
Lack of maintenance.

Strength and stability

All items of lifting equipment and accessories must be suitable for the required task. In determining suitability, due regard should be given to its strength, stability and the conditions under which it will be used.

Identification and Inventory

All items of lifting equipment and accessories should be identified by a unique mark and entered into a register. This will assist in the inspection and maintenance programme and will ensure that no items are missed.

Installation

It is essential that all lifting equipment be installed in such a way as to reduce the risk of the equipment or load striking persons. Due regard should be given to the affects of load drift, unintentional release or loads free falling.

Storage

Suitable storage and containment facilities should be provided for lifting accessories, so as to prevent damage, degradation and unauthorised use.

Maintenance, thorough examination, inspection and testing of Lifting Equipment and Accessories

In addition to any statutory examinations, lifting equipment and accessories should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines and good working practice.

It is essential to ensure that thorough examination and testing, in line with current guidance, is carried out, the correct reporting procedure is being used and the necessary actions to correct defects are being taken.

Maintenance, thorough examination, inspection and testing of lifting equipment and accessories should be entrusted to a competent person or persons. The competent persons should have appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment in order that they may be able to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess whether or not those defects or weaknesses will affect safety in use.

Whether or not a load test is appropriate and the nature of the test is a matter of judgement by the competent person.

Thorough examinations should be made:

After installation and/or reconfiguration.
Prior to first use.
Periodically in service.

After exceptional circumstances have occurred; which are liable to damage or jeopardize the safety of lifting equipment.

HSE guidance on periodicity of thorough examinations indicate the following:

Lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months.
Other lifting equipment, at least every 12 months.

The competent person can, in either case, determine the period. Where this is the case an examination scheme should be drawn up.

Having taken into account the type of use and the conditions in which the equipment is being used, the competent person may in addition decide that it is appropriate for the equipment to be inspected at suitable intervals between thorough examination.

Reporting procedure

A system should be established that would allow the competent person to report any defects to the employer and to the hirer and enforcing authority, where applicable. The system should also effectively enable Management to action and record appropriate actions.

Records

Records of maintenance, thorough examination, inspection and testing of lifting equipment, accessories and competent person reports should be kept in a secure system. Records should be kept for 2 years in the case of lifting accessories and for lifting equipment throughout the life of the equipment.

Marking of lifting equipment

Each item of equipment and each accessory should be marked with its safe working load or information provided with the equipment on the safe working load, where this varies with configuration.

Lifting operations

All lifting operations must be planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner. Persons should be provided with suitable training to ensure competence in these operations.

Additional control measures should be identified by the process of risk assessment and put into effect.

Training

It is essential to provide staff training for both users and competent persons. This training should include the safe use and handling of equipment and accessories, safe slinging, planning of lifting operations and the reporting procedure for competent person's thorough examination.

Further information

Further information on legal requirements and compliance strategies for work equipment and for lifting operations is available from Croner Consulting (formerly IRPC).