Lifts and lifting operations

Transcription

1 Lifts and lifting operations Any equipment used at work that lifts or lowers a load is regulated by the 'Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations 1998', familiarly known as LOLER. The regulations deal with both the lifting equipment and the way it is used. As well as regular passenger lifts, note that LOLER also applies to equipment such as forklift trucks and reach trucks, tail-lifts on vans and trucks, scissor lifts, cherry-pickers, certain parts of conveyors, and dumb waiters. However, it does not apply to escalators and travelators, nor to domestic equipment (stair-lifts, etc) used in private households. All but the simplest types of lifts and lifting equipment must be maintained according to a written scheme devised by a competent person (ie, a lift engineer). Your insurance company will put you in touch with an appropriate person. Brief description of lifting equipment and operations LOLER is specifically concerned with the selection, use and operation of lifting equipment. Due to the hazards inherent in lifting equipment and operations, young people (under 18 years) should be not be allowed to operate equipment such as cranes, construction site hoists and forklift trucks. This is in line with the requirements of the 'Health and safety (young persons) regulations 1997'. LOLER applies to all lifting equipment including second-hand, leased or new equipment if used on premises or operations where work is being undertaken. It applies to employers, the selfemployed and others who supply or have control of the equipment. The regulations build on the more general requirements of the Provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998, (PUWER) which applies to all work equipment including that used for lifting. LOLER and PUWER, together with the 'Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999' are the principal regulations dealing with the general safety of lifting equipment and operations. Loads include any material, people or animals that are lifted by the lifting equipment. In some cases the weight of the lifting accessories (including the hook block) are considered as part of the load being lifted. Thorough examination and inspection of lifting equipment All lifting equipment must be subjected to a periodic thorough examination by a competent person to ensure that it safe for use. The examination is usually performed by an independent accredited inspection body - most engineering insurance companies offer these services. The examination may entail inspection and/or testing, dependant on the equipment and its use. The results of the examination must be recorded in an engineer s report that identifies: make, type and location of the equipment safe working load any defects observed recommendations for any repairs that may be required and when they should be carried out by the date of the examination and date the next examination is due. Competent person As well as the general requirement for competency, LOLER requires that most systems are subject to a written scheme of examination by a competent person. The latter has a specific meaning for the knowledge, experience and independence of the engineer concerned.

2 Contact details of organisations accredited to provide the services of competent persons can be obtained from: UKAS, High Street, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 4UN For general enquiries contact: Tel: How often should it be examined? The period between examinations is set by the following criteria: passenger lift or a lifting accessory - at least every 6 months other lifting equipment - at least every 12 months in accordance with a written scheme: this is useful where equipment has light or infrequent use, conversely hazardous or frequently used equipment may require more frequent examination following an exceptional circumstance: if the equipment is relocated, subject to damage or accident, modified or repaired, or subject to adverse conditions Employers should not bring into use any lifting equipment without evidence of a thorough examination, or in the case on new equipment, the equipment should have a declaration of conformity made not more than 12 months before the equipment is put into service. Examination periods The following list covers most lifting equipment and the required periods between examinations: Equipment type access platforms 6 chair lift 6 continuous hoist (paternoster for goods) 12 continuous hoist (paternoster for persons) 6 escalator/travelator eye bolt 6 fork lift 12 gin wheel 12 home lift (domestic) hook 6 manual lifts or hoists (goods) 12 manual lifts or hoists (passenger) 6 order picker (goods) 12 order picker (ride on) 6 pallet trucks 12 powered lift or hoist (passenger) 6 powered lifts or hoists (goods) 12 pulley block 12 ring 6 At least every (period in months) not applicable not applicable

3 rope sling 6 rope 6 safety harness 6 scissor lift 12 shackle 6 stair lift (domestic) not applicable swivel 6 tail lift 6 teagle 12 vehicle lifting tables 12 winch 12 Reports and defects of lifting equipment The person making the thorough examination for an employer must: immediately notify the employer of any defect in the lifting equipment, which in his opinion is or could become a danger to people as soon as practicable make a report of the thorough examination in writing, authenticated by him where the defect involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury a copy of the report must be sent to the relevant enforcing authority. Where the equipment is hired or leased, this will be the HSE; otherwise it will be the enforcing authority for the premises the equipment must not be used until the defect is remedied, or after a time specified in a report under Schedule 1 and before the defect is remedied. Storage of lifting equipment and lifting apparatus Safe storage facilities should be provided for all lifting equipment and accessories to ensure that they are protected from damage. Ideally, chains should be stored on suitable hooks or racking. Safe working load and other marks on lifting equipment and accessories All lifting equipment must be marked with its 'safe working load' (SWL). This can be stamped into the equipment or form part of a plate or chart for safe use. Information should also be provided on any configurations or combinations where the SWL may differ. Where it is not possible to mark the SWL, for example on small items such as shackles, a colour-coding or labelling system should be used. Equipment that could be used for lifting people, but which has not been designed for this purpose (for example, goods hoists and dumb waiters), must be clearly marked that they are not to be used for lifting people. Equipment designed for lifting persons should also have the maximum number of persons appropriately and clearly marked on it.

4 Lifting operations All lifting operations must be properly planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner by competent people. The following sections give guidance on the factors to be considered. All lifting operations should be planned properly before being undertaken. The planning process starts with selection of suitable lifting equipment, which should be guided by a risk assessment of the proposed lifting operation. In all cases the equipment must be of adequate strength and stability, and used or installed to prevent the equipment or load from falling or striking people or property. The planner should initially consider the load to be lifted, its weight, shape, centre of gravity and availability of lifting points on the load itself. Loads must never be lifted/carried over people and the work area should be cleared before any lifting operations begin. There are a number of operational hazards to consider in detail. Supervision of lifting operations Appropriate supervision should always be provided. The degree of supervision will be dependent on the experience of the people involved and the circumstances of the lifting operation. An experienced forklift driver may only require supervision when lifting an unusual load or in potentially-hazardous conditions. The factors influencing the degree of supervision should be identified when planning a lifting operation. Training and lifting operations Lifting operations including use of forklift trucks - should only be conducted by people who have successfully completed appropriate certificated training by a recognised training organisation. The list below shows independent and impartial training accreditation organisations, providing points of contact for providers of driver and operator training (this list of organisations is not exhaustive). Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT) Huntingdon House, 87 Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1AH Tel: Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR) Scammell House, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7JF Tel: Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH Tel: Lantra National Training Organisation Ltd National Agriculture Centre, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2UG Tel: National Plant Operators Registration Scheme Ltd Highfield Farm, Lostock Gralam, Cheshire CW9 7PL Tel: RTITB Ltd (road haulage and distribution industry) Ercall House, 8 Pearson Road, Central Park, Telford TF2 9TX Tel: Lifting equipment Lifting equipment covers any work equipment that raises or lowers a load, whether it be goods or people. The term covers all hydraulic and cable operated lifting arms on skip loaders and vehicle recovery equipment, hydraulic articulated cranes (HIABs) and winches, safety harnesses, hoists,

5 trolley jacks, lifting rams, tail lifts, pallet trucks, window cleaning hoists, fall-arrest systems, patient hoists, boatswain chairs, and work-place stair lifts. The scope is very wide, including equipment ranging from an eyebolt to a tower crane. Some examples are: a passenger lift in an office block a rope and pulley used to raise a bucket of cement on a building site a dumb waiter in a restaurant or hotel a vacuum-lifting crane a vehicle inspection hoist a scissor lift ropes used for climbing work for positioning during arboriculture, telecommunications towers, and examination of external buildings or a rock face a paper roll hoist on a printing machine an automated storage or retrieval system a front-end loader on a tractor used for raising and lowering loads such as a bale of hay a bath hoist lifting a resident into a bath at a nursing home a loader crane fitted to a lorry for delivery duties a refuse vehicle loading arm used for tipping an air cargo elevating transfer vehicle vehicle recovery equipment; and vehicle tail lifts. Lifting accessories This group includes smaller items of lifting equipment, and is the most difficult to control as it tends to be portable and so can often be overlooked, stored away or moved to another site outside your control. Lifting accessories - sometimes called lifting tackle - covers all mechanical items such as eyebolts, hooks, bars, plates, magnets, claws, slings, chains, pulleys, wheels, anchorage points, etc. Statutory requirements for lifting equipment All lifting equipment and accessories must be: marked with the safe working load, this may take the form of a maximum load on hoists and jacks

6 inspected regularly (see examination periods): Statutory inspections must be performed by a competent person (usually an external inspection body). Inspections should also be performed by the user prior to use (a simple visual inspection usually is sufficient) only used by persons that have had suitable and sufficient information and training on its safe operation and use and any precautions or safeguards required used under adequate supervision, the extent of the supervision required is dependent on the competence level of the operator immediately removed from service if found to be defective (disposed of or quarantined until repaired, inspected and proved to be safe for further use). Lifting-equipment hazards Hazards presented by lifting equipment will vary dependent on use, application or where it is used. They include: trapping in wheels, pulleys, closing faces (jacks, pallet trucks, rams, etc) falling from openings or out of lifting areas and equipment (teagle openings, trap hatches, window cleaning equipment, hoists, etc) or falling loads (skip loaders, jacks, pallet trucks, hoists, winches, etc) collapse due to a mechanical defect or from use on uneven or soft surfaces (skip loaders, jacks, hoists, etc) slipping loads or equipment due to adverse environmental or weather conditions (water, oil, ice, dust, etc). Keeping records of lifting equipment The following information should be kept: a copy of the EC declaration of conformity relating to the equipment (where received) for so long as the equipment is in use reports of thorough examination of lifting equipment (but not as an accessory for lifting) must be kept reports of thorough examination of accessories for lifting should be kept for two years after the report is made other requirements relating to the keeping of records apply to where the safety of lifting equipment depends on installation conditions and where there is exposure to conditions causing deterioration. A register or log may include details of: manufacturer, specifications, purchase date date put into service inspection periods: date of last inspection and next inspection due

7 location or area used (garage, loading bay, etc) identification marks or colours date disposed of or removed from service. The reports and records should normally be stored at the premises where the lifting equipment is in use. Crane equipment Crane equipment include mobile, fixed and overhead cranes. Gantry tracks and transport systems for cranes are treated as work equipment, and are covered by the general requirements of PUWER. Statutory requirements for cranes The person responsible for the crane (the duty holder) must ensure that the crane is safe for use and thoroughly examined. All cranes must be examined periodically (not longer than every 14 months) in accordance with the BS 7121 and details of the following identified: equipment serial number and make employer and the premises date of the last thorough examination and the date of the next safe working load reason for the examination: installation, modification or repair, statutory interval any damage or defect observed details of work required and when it should be done by details of any tests carried out details of the person carrying out the report and the person validating the report on their behalf date of the report. Typical hazards of crane equipment and operation falling or slipping loads, particularly when working under suspended loads collision with persons, goods or traffic slipping and tripping on access ways due to adverse environmental or weather conditions (water, oil, ice, dust, etc) electrical shock from defective or unsafe wiring.

8 Safe working practice wherever possible, the general public should be prohibited from entering areas around lifting operations control or prohibit traffic during lifting keep the areas clean and free from debris to avoid slips trip and falls. Lift equipment This covers passenger lifts, goods lifts, dumb waiters, paternosters, etc. All lifts must be subject to a regular thorough examination to comply with LOLER. Lifts must be examined at intervals of: 6 months if they carry people 12 months if they carry loads, or according to a written scheme drawn up by a competent lift engineer. An examination is also required after damage, failure, a long period out of use or a change of operating conditions that is likely to affect the integrity of the equipment. Statutory requirements for lift equipment The person responsible for the lift (the duty holder) must ensure that the lift is safe for use and thoroughly examined. All lifts must be examined in accordance with BS 5655:Part 10:1986 Specification for the testing and inspection of electrical and hydraulic lifts. The following details must be recorded: equipment serial number and make employer and premises date of the last thorough examination and the date of the next safe working load of the lift: weight, persons or both reason for the examination: installation, modification or repair, statutory interval any damage or defect that is or may be a danger to people details of work required and when it should be done by details of any tests carried out details of the person carrying out the report and the person validating the report on their behalf date of the report. Hazards of lift equipment trapping in manual or power-operated doors

9 falling-down the lift shaft through open doorways, or during unauthorised access to the lift room crushing by the lift car or balance weights of people in the lift pit or lift shaft during maintenance work or unauthorised entry slipping and tripping due to misalignment of lift car with landing floor levels, or adverse environmental or weather conditions (water, oil, ice, dust, etc) electrical shock from defective or unsafe wiring, or during unauthorised access to the lift room. Passenger lifts The lift car should be equipped to ensure that: people in it are protected from being injured by something outside of it (normally fully enclosed) people entering or leaving the car are not struck by it any door or gate when opened does not permit people to accidentally fall from the car there is a suitable anti-crush device fitted to motorised doors it does not move unless the doors are fully closed it comes to a halt if the doors are opened the doors remain closed and interlocked if the lift stops between levels the doors of the lift shaft (hoistway) should be of solid construction with smooth, flush interior surfaces it is fitted with devices independent of the means of suspension to prevent the car free-falling a person trapped in the car can summon help by suitable means there is an emergency means of lowering the car to a safe position in the event of primary failure of the lift motor. Lift trucks This section covers all types of lift trucks: counter-balance (forklift), industrial reach, rough terrain, telescopic materials handler, side loading, pedestrian-controlled, large lift trucks. It should be noted that the statutory examination under LOLER only deals with the lifting apparatus - forks, chains, masts, etc. There is a duty under PUWER to ensure that all other parts of the equipment are maintained and inspected on a regular basis. Legal requirements for lift trucks and their use Lift trucks should be: only used by authorised people who have successfully completed training by an approved body (operators must be over school leaving age, physically and medically fit). Periodic refresher or update training is also recommended

10 operated in a safe working areas that are adequately marked and protected, with sufficient height and width, suitable floor surfaces (avoid use on uneven surfaces, steep gradients overhead obstructions, etc), pedestrians prohibited where possible, free from obstructions (avoid use on blind corners and sharp bends) and adequately lit provided with suitable protection for pedestrians and operators: audible warning devices, flashing beacons, high visibility clothing, roll-over protection structures (ROPS), falling-object protective structures (FOPS) inspected regularly: statutory inspections must be performed by a competent person (usually an external inspection body). Regular checks should also be completed by the user immediately prior to use in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations never be used for lifting people, unless a platform with guard rails, supports and toe boards specifically designed for the purpose is used maintained regularly immediately removed from service if found to be defective (until repaired, inspected and proved to be safe for further use). Lift-truck hazards Lift-truck hazards include: trapping, crushing and collision by the lift truck or load with people, other vehicles or buildings - especially when reversing falling loads due to shifting or unstable loads or uneven surfaces, adverse weather or environmental conditions (water, oil, ice, dust, etc) electrical shock from charging equipment, explosion of gas from charging batteries, acid burns from spills when filling batteries. Safe working practice The lift truck should be stored and maintained in a separate lockable garage area. If this is not practicable, it should be kept in a clearly-marked, well-ventilated area that does not restrict access. The forks should always be lowered to the floor and keys should be stored in a secure place and only issued to authorised people. Elevating access equipment This covers all access equipment, both static and mobile (mobile elevated work platforms or MEWPs) such as window-cleaning platforms, mast platforms, order pickers, elevated cherry pickers, aircraft-access platforms and walkways, etc. Statutory requirements for elevating access equipment All access equipment shall be: marked with the safe working load, this may in weight or persons or both

11 inspected regularly: statutory inspections must be performed by a competent person (usually an external inspection body). Inspections should also be performed by the user prior to use (a simple visual inspection usually is sufficient) only used by persons that have had suitable and sufficient information and training on its safe operation and use and any precautions or safeguards required used under adequate supervision, the extent of the supervision required is dependent on the competence level of the operator immediately removed from service if found to be defective (quarantined until repaired, inspected and proved to be safe for further use). Hazards of elevating access equipment trapping, crushing and collision: by the equipment with persons, other vehicle or buildings falling from the work platform by people, tools or materials toppling or collapsing due to over-reaching, unstable loads, uneven surfaces, adverse weather or environmental conditions (water, oil, ice, etc). Safe working practice wherever practicable, the general public should be excluded from the area around MEWPs when in use keep working areas and platforms clean and free from debris to avoid slips, trips and falls MEWPs should not be used in adverse weather conditions or on uneven terrain unless specifically designed for the purpose. Scissor lifts and vehicle-lifting tables This covers equipment used in garages, vehicle-servicing workshops, tyre and exhaust fitting bays, loading bays, etc. Statutory requirements All lifting tables and scissor lifts must be: marked with the safe working load, this may take the form of a maximum load inspected regularly (see examination periods): statutory inspections must be performed by a competent person (usually an external inspection body). Inspections should also be performed by the user prior to use (a simple visual inspection usually is sufficient) only used by persons that have had suitable and sufficient information and training on its safe operation and use and any precautions or safeguards required used under adequate supervision, the extent of the supervision required is dependent on the competence level of the operator immediately removed from service if found to be defective (disposed of or quarantined until repaired, inspected and proved to be safe for further use).

12 Hazards of scissor lifts trapping, crushing under descending tables or between moving struts falling loads through shifting or unstable loads or uneven surfaces, adverse weather or environmental conditions (water, oil, ice, dust, etc) electrical shock from defective or unsafe equipment. V2.1