How To Ensure Safety Of Lifting Equipment

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2 2 of 12 CONTENTS 1.0 OBJECTIVES SCOPE DEFINITION OF TERMS Loose Lifting Tackle Examination Inspection RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES PROCEDURE Supply Of Wire Rope Slings And Lifting Tackle Registration of Slings Loose Lifting Equipment Record Storage of Loose Lifting Equipment Supervisors and Rigging Crews Examination of Lifting Tackle Wire Rope Slings Disposal of Slings Other Loose Lifting Tackle Color Coding Lifting Procedure (Loading and Offloading) Early planning for safe loading & unloading operations to be prepared Check Site conditions Check access to the vehicle Inspect the vehicle and load prior to loading or unloading Check means of loading or unloading In cases using overhead or mobile cranes

3 3 of OBJECTIVES To insure integrity and quality of the lifting equipment utilized in our operation 2.0 SCOPE The procedures set out in this chapter apply to all loose lifting gear owned by the company. 3.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS 3.1 Loose lifting gear is defined as equipment used in the lifting of loads, which is not part of a crane, vessel or structure. Slings, shackles and chain hoists etc. are therefore classified as loose lifting equipment. Pad eyes, crane jibs, vessel bollards etc. are not loose lifting equipment and are therefore not within the scope of this chapter. They are tested or inspected according to the rules of the classification society under which the crane, vessel or structure is built. Reference should be made to the standards quoted in this document for details on the procurement, testing, inspection and registration of loose lifting gear. 3.2 Inspectors shall have the resources to check, test and certify in accordance with in-date legislation. By definition this work has to be completed by an independent, competent, third party Loose Lifting Tackle The following equipment is defined as loose lifting tackle for the purpose of this chapter Slings (wire, web, natural fiber, manmade fiber and chain) Shackles. Lifting rings Master links Delta, monkey plates Hooks Swivels Turnbuckles / bottle screws Chain blocks

4 4 of 12 Lever hoists Tirfors Snatch blocks Wedge sockets Pad eyes on portable equipment Examination The process of measuring, examining, testing, gauging or comparing the item with the applicable standards. The Inspection company conducts this activity on a strict periodic basis Inspection 4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES The process of determining by visual observation if defects are present. The competent person conducts this activity which is a continual process. 4.1 It is the responsibility of the supervisors to ensure that they make themselves aware of the relevant standards to be applied. 4.2 It is the responsibility of the worksite supervisor and the job performer to ensure that all lifting equipment is inspected, tested, registered and safe to use in accordance with the standards before using it. 4.3 The site supervisor is to control the inventory of wire rope slings in his charge and to arrange for the examination and maintenance of slings to prevent unsafe equipment from being used. 4.4 The workshop manager is responsible of keeping a register all such equipment, and to plan maintenance systems to ensure that testing, inspection and recertification happen at the required intervals. 5.0 PROCEDURE

5 5 of Supply Of Wire Rope Slings And Lifting Tackle Any operation requiring lifting tackle will first be approved by the operations manager or the site senior supervisor who will ensure that equipment is procured that it is in compliance with company standards, as referred to above. The manufacturer is required to certify that slings comply with specifications. Testing is to be witnessed by an inspection company, and a certificate of fitness for purpose issued. Sling ferrules are to be stamped with the safe working load (SWL) and date of manufacture. Other lifting tackle will be purchased to comply with the specifications and independent certification requirements. 5.2 Registration of Slings A competent person will witness the proof testing of all locally manufactured slings as required. Proven slings will be identified with a unique serial number. The serial number is to be stamped onto the ferrule: this number will then be entered into the register along with the following details: Sling description and serial no. Safe working load Length of sling. Date of manufacture. Steel wire rope material certificate number. Ferrule material certificate number Thimble material certificate number. Proof test certificate number. Vessel or place to be used. Date destroyed When slings are obtained from a source other than the company, the site supervisor is to ensure registration before use. 5.3 Loose Lifting Equipment Record

6 6 of 12 Each senior site supervisor is to keep a record of loose lifting equipment under his control. The information to be recorded at minimum is: Date received Serial number Description of sling Safe working load (SWL) Date last checked / certified Color code Date destroyed This record is to include permanently attached slings on equipment under his responsibility and must be kept available for inspection as required. The senior site supervisor is also responsible for ensuring the loose lifting equipment record is updated as necessary and for advising personnel involved with lifting operations on the current status of loose lifting equipment. 5.4 Storage of Loose Lifting Equipment A suitable place under cover shall be dedicated to the storage of loose lifting equipment that is not in use. This will be under the responsibility of the site supervisor. 5.5 Supervisors and Rigging Crews The above procedures do not remove the responsibility of supervisors and riggers to use gear in safe operating condition and to advise the senior supervisor of any deterioration or damage they know about on specific slings and lifting tackle. 5.6 Examination of Lifting Tackle Wire Rope Slings The senior site supervisor is to ensure that an examination of all slings is carried out once, over six months, in conjunction with the inspection company. All slings are to be cleaned, examined, lubricated and stored in a storage rack or an area above ground level.

7 7 of 12 Slings are to be examined for: Bird caging Bulges Broken strands Crush damage (flattened strands) Core protrusion / damage Damaged splices Fatigue Gaps or excessive clearance between strands Heat damage / electric arc strikes Kinks or bends Rope stretch Disposal of Slings Any sling found to be unserviceable due to defects (described above) is to be destroyed by cutting and deleted from the sling record Other Loose Lifting Tackle The senior site supervisor is to ensure that all other loose lifting gear is examined at least once every six months in conjunction with the inspection company: a) Chain Wear in saddle Elongation or stretched links Bent or twisted links Chips, cuts, gouges, cracks b) Shackles Wear in the pin Wear in the bow Correct size pin (not nut and bolt) Bent pin

8 8 of 12 c) Hooks See Stretch of the bill Wear in the saddle Wear in the eye Mechanical damage d) Swivels Deformation Cracks Wear or damage e) Turnbuckles Distortion f) Bottle screws Cracks Wear or damage Worn on damaged threads Unauthorized modification or repair Color Coding Loose lifting equipment shall be inspected and certified by a competent person every 6 months as per article 20 of UAE Ministerial Order No. 32 of 1982 and Color Coded as follows: Pastel Orange: RAL 23 Grass green: RAL 6010 Traffic white: RAL 9016 Signal blue: RAL 55 The color band is to indicate that the sling has been examined and found satisfactory. It is to last for six months after which the equipment will be re inspected, and a new color painted on the sling. The color band provides a quick visual check to all personnel involved with lifting

9 9 of 12 operations that the item has been checked and found to be serviceable. The examination and changing of color is to be supervised and recorded by the senior site supervisor. Client companies often have their own color code systems which they require contractors to follow. Where this is the case, the company shall follow the client contractual requirements and procedures. Note also that a correctly color-coded piece of equipment does not guarantee that the equipment is safe to use. It only indicates that at the time of inspection it was judged to be within the specifications. All users of loose lifting equipment should check the equipment prior to each use and report any faults or defects. Damaged, broken or faulty equipment is to be removed from the worksite as soon as possible and marked with a label or other device to identify that it is unsuitable for use. 5.7 Lifting Procedure (Loading and Offloading) In case of loading or unloading materials or equipment, a work permit is to be issued by the supervisor and the following procedure should be followed: Early planning for safe loading & unloading operations to be prepared A plan for the loading or unloading operation should be made at an early stage, such as: What lifting equipment is available on site (overhead/mobile cranes, forklift trucks etc)? What is the capacity of the lifting equipment on site? Where will unloading take place? What access restrictions apply (maximum size of vehicles etc.)? Are there any other special requirements? Check Site conditions The area where material is to be unloaded must be suitable for this to be done safely.

10 10 of 12 It should be checked before loading or unloading begins to make sure it is safe to proceed. Look for hazards such as: a) The suitability of the ground for the vehicle (for example whether it is flat and firm) and load stability. b) Any obstructions in the unloading area (including parked cars). c) Pedestrians in the unloading area (people should be kept clear unless they are immediately involved in the unloading operation). A safe barrier should be erected around the area. d) The vehicle itself should be checked to make sure that it can access the unloading area safely, taking into account any material which is overhanging the rear of the vehicle or stacked above the cab height. Take particular care when reversing Check access to the vehicle Only those people who need access to the vehicle for unloading should be allowed onto it. The load should be inspected from the ground if possible before anyone gains access to the vehicle. Access should normally be via steps, a loading gantry, or some other built-in means. Otherwise, it should be from the front of the vehicle and around the headboard, never via the sidebars. No one should ever jump onto or off a vehicle. The deck of the vehicle should always be inspected to ensure that it is safe to walk on, and that there are no holes in the bed that may lead to tripping Inspect the vehicle and load prior to loading or unloading Inspect the load before unloading begins to make sure it has not moved in transit. Similarly, check that any supporting timbers have not broken, as this may make the material unstable or likely to fall when the restraining straps are removed.

11 11 of 12 If the load has moved or become unstable in some way, consider how it can be removed safely. Access to the vehicle may be dangerous in these circumstances as the load could move unexpectedly. It may be necessary to take the vehicle to another location where there is sufficient loadhandling equipment to remove it safely. Do not allow unstable loads to tip or fall onto the floor Check means of loading or unloading Ensure that the unloading operation has been properly planned in advance, taking full account of relevant load characteristics and site facilities. Keep the material under control at all times and do not allow it to roll off the vehicle. Ensure the vehicle brakes have been applied before unloading begins. Don t tie the load to an object to drag it off the vehicle. Don't bar off loads. Where unloading cannot be done safely, it may be necessary to leave the load on the vehicle until safe unloading conditions can be provided. This may mean arranging for lifting equipment to be brought onto the site In cases using overhead or mobile cranes. Select and use lifting equipment and lifting accessories (tackle) which are suitable for the task. In particular, do not exceed their safe working load. Drivers or anyone else attaching lifting accessories to material ( slinging ) must be away from the load before it is lifted, preferably off the vehicle. Never stand on a load once it has been attached to lifting equipment. Do not use banding wire or straps to sling material. Where single-use slings are used to offload material, these must be disposed of, to prevent them being reused.

12 12 of 12 The load will often need to be loaded onto suitable timber bearers so that there is enough clearance to get a sling (or the forks of a forklift truck) under it when unloading. The person in control of the lifting equipment must ensure that the lifting operation can be carried out safely before work starts. Workers operating the crane should have been trained in its safe use and safe slinging techniques: a) Ensure that lifting equipment and lifting tackles have valid certification and are color coded. b) Ensure that crane the operator is certified and holding a valid certificate. c) Ensure riggers and slingers are certified and holding valid certificates. d) Never use a crane chain in the lifting operation. <End of Page>