NON BINDING GUIDANCE TO ENSURE A MINIMUM

Dc.1598_EN NON BINDING GUIDANCE TO ENSURE A MINIMUM STANDARD OF COMPETENCE OF PERSONS WHO CARRY- OUT PERIODIC AND ASSEMBLY EXAMINATIONS OF TOWER AND MOBILE CRANES SLIC - Senir Labur Inspectrs Cmmittee WG MACHEX 2013 Adpted at the 64 th SLIC Plenary Dublin, Ireland 22 May 2013

1. INTRODUCTION The EU Cnslidated Use f Wrk Equipment Directive 2009/104/EC requires twer and mbile cranes t be examined. A number f Member States have Natinal legislatin which specifies registratin requirements fr examiners and requirements fr verificatin f their cmpetence by a recgnised r accredited third party. This guidance is nt meant t replace thse requirements but assist in assessing the cmpetence f crane examiners. The purpse f such examinatin is t detect actual and ptential defects/weaknesses, and fr such t be reprted/acted upn s as t ensure safe crane peratin. The purpse f this guidance is t advise n apprpriate minimum standards t ensure the cmpetence (and impartiality) f persns carrying-ut peridic and assembly examinatins f, in particular, twer and mbile cranes. It may have infrmatin relevant t the examinatin f smaller cranes, but des nt specifically address them. It als details a management framewrk which can be used by rganisatins t ensure and demnstrate the cmpetence f persns undertaking examinatins. It als refers t the cmpetence requirements f trainers/assessrs but des nt deal with them in detail. It is anticipated that such will assist the mutual recgnitin f cmpetence and the free mvement f services, prvided by cmpetent examiners f twer and mbile cranes, acrss the EU. Fr the purpse f this guidance it is accepted that the term mbile crane is very brad, ranging frm ne requiring assembly f its structural cmpnents, n site befre use t thse fixed t delivery Lrries. It is fr each Member State t determine what aspect f this guidance applies t mbile crane examiners accrding t Natinal Legislatin. Thse seeking t use the services f an examiner will be assisted by this guidance; it can be used as a reference (1) t the level f cmpetence that shuld be achieved and (2) t justify exclusins where cmpetence falls significantly shrt r is nt cnfirmed using the apprach utlined in this guidance. This guidance has been develped by a small tri-partite wrking grup, with representatin frm emplyees, emplyers and gvernments. Members were prvided frm bth the SLIC MACHEX Grup and the Advisry Cmmittee n Safety and Health at Wrk; there was als representatin frm the Eurpean Cnfederatin f Inspectin Organisatins (CEOC). The agreed Mandate fr this wrking grup is in Appendix A. The scpe f this guidance des nt cver rutine inspectins made by crane peratrs and maintenance persnnel. This guidance des nt recmmend specific rutes fr achieving cmpetence such as naming specific qualificatins r training curses. It is recgnised by the grup that such clarificatin is a subsidiary matter, hwever it may be beneficial if guidance was available and s it culd be a tpic fr future wrk. The preparatin f this guidance has been greatly assisted by review and amalgamatin f existing guidance and standards, as referenced. Fr the purpses f this guidance, reference t cranes will mean twer and/r mbile cranes. Mnth Year 2

2. COMPETENCE OF EXAMINERS Cmpetent persns, as referred t in this paper, are thse wh have the apprpriate knwledge, skills and persnal attributes t enable them t assess any degradatin and t detect defects r weaknesses in a crane, and t assess and reprt n their imprtance in relatin t the cntinued safe use f that crane. Such cmpetence will be gained thrugh training and experience and may be demnstrated by relevant qualificatins that als require cmpetence t be demnstrated. A persn wh is wrking tward attaining required cmpnents f cmpetence, shuld be allwed t carry-ut examinatins f cranes, prvided he/she is under apprpriate supervisin and is underging a managed prgram that leads t full cmpetence. It is recgnised that such persns need t gain the experience and knwledge t address their cmpetence shrtfall by n the jb experience, which is apprpriately supervised and mnitred. 3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF EXAMINERS Persns undertaking examinatins f cranes (r in the prcess f gaining the specific experience necessary fr this wrk) shuld have apprpriate qualificatins and relevant experience in a relevant field f engineering. 4. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICAL SKILLS, PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES OF EXAMINERS Persns undertaking examinatins f cranes shuld have apprpriate knwledge, skills and attributes required fr crane inspectins: 4.1 Technical Knwledge: Have an understanding f the legislative requirements fr such examinatins and any natinal practice fr fllw up inspectins; Have an understanding f crane design standards and cdes f practice fr the selectin and use f cranes, tgether with the applicable manufacturer s inspectin / examinatin criteria Have knwledge f basic crane peratin; Have knwledge f the defects which may ccur during use r in service; Have a wrking knwledge f the safety rules and assciated cdes f practice that are applicable t cranes; Have an understanding f the inspectin and maintenance requirements f cranes. Have knwledge f apprpriate test prcedures which may be emplyed and the interpretatin and limitatins f thse techniques; Have access t and an understanding f technical infrmatin relevant t the crane being examined; Have apprpriate knwledge f the type f materials and techniques used in the manufacture and assembly f cranes relevant t their cntinued safe peratin; Be aware f the limits f their persnal knwledge and when t call upn specialist advice r assistance e.g. fr nn destructive testing, testing f electrnic cntrl systems etc. Mnth Year 3

Be familiar with persnal and site specific safety requirements; Be aware f their wn legal respnsibilities; Be trained in the use, pre-use checks and maintenance f their persnal prtective equipment. 4.2 Practical Skills: Be able t undertake the examinatin in a safe manner, in particular be cmpetent when wrking at height and using apprpriate access and prtective equipment; Be capable f detecting defects r weaknesses in cranes which culd cmprmise safety; Have sufficient knwledge and experience t assess the imprtance f defects r weaknesses in a crane and identify what actins need t be taken in rder t rectify them. In particular they shuld be able t: verify that the crane is perating as intended; specify the apprpriate timescales within which identified defects r weaknesses need t be rectified; establish that defects identified in the previus reprt f thrugh examinatin have received attentin; assess the crrect functin f all safety devices; check that manufacturer s warnings are crrectly fixed and legible; where natinal practices permits specify any necessary limitatins n the use f the crane; witness any testing required as part f the examinatin; write an understandable reprt n the findings f the examinatin and cmmunicate the findings t the wner f the crane and, if required, any ther persns specified under Natinal legislatin. 4.3 Persnal Attributes: Be physically capable t undertake the examinatin tasks; Be cmfrtable wrking at height and n their wn; Have the ability t make technical judgements in a prfessinal manner; Be able t cmmunicate clearly with ther persnnel n site. 5. MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR ENSURING AND DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE OF EXAMINERS 5.1 Inspectin rganisatins shuld nly prvide cmpetent examiners fr the inspectin f cranes. T ensure this, inspectin rganisatins shuld have and wrk t clear management arrangements and apprpriate quality cntrl systems t cntrl the fllwing: The identificatin f backgrund engineering qualificatins and engineering experience, s as t ensure that a ptential examiner has the necessary knwledge and experience fr examining cranes. The identificatin f required technical knwledge, practical skills and persnal attributes necessary t ensure that a ptential examiner f cranes is cmpetent. The selectin, training and assessment f ptential examiners, t ensure that they are and remain cmpetent. There shuld be clear arrangements fr frmally instructing the examiners n what wrk they can/cannt d and whether such is subject t any supervisry requirements. Mnth Year 4

The mnitring f examiners t ensure that their cmpetence is assessed at regular intervals in rder t determine if they meet requirements and require further training. (Reference shuld be made t Figure 1. managerial prcess.) This is a flw-diagram which defines this 5.2 A cmprehensive individual training recrd shuld be established fr all examiners f cranes. This shuld be updated as training is undertaken and as a minimum shuld include: When the training tk place; Where the training tk place; The scpe f the training including types and mdels f cranes; The duratin f the training; The utcme f the training; Wh delivered the training; When refresher training is required. When cmpetence checks tk place, by whm, and a recrd f any recmmended actin t address imprvements needed. 6. IMPARTIALITY It is essential that crane examiners are sufficiently independent and impartial t allw bjective decisins t be made. This des nt mean that the examiner has t be emplyed frm an external rganisatin. If an rganisatin that perates cranes has individuals with the necessary cmpetence, then they may carry-ut the examinatin. Hwever, if they d, then the rganisatin shuld ensure that the examiners have the genuine authrity and independence t ensure that examinatins are prperly carried-ut and that the necessary recmmendatins arising frm them are made withut fear r favur. 7. THE COMPETENCE OF TRAINERS / ASSESSORS OF EXAMINERS Trainers shuld have the knwledge, skills, experience etc. (as described in this guidance) t be able t train examiners n the aspect f crane inspectin they are dealing with. It may be beneficial that they themselves are cmpetent t undertake an examinatin f a crane t put the specific aspect they are dealing with int the cntext f a cmplete examinatin. T assist their required cmpetency t train thers, they shuld als be able t: Understand the rle f in-service training and the stages necessary in acquiring and mastering new knwledge and skills. Knw hw and when t use mentring, caching and ther n-the-jb training activities t prmte trainee develpment. Understand the benefit f timely, sensitive and effective feedback, in rder t facilitate trainee develpment. Have the ability t cmmunicate this feedback bth verbally and in clear written frm. Assessrs f examiners shuld be cmpetent t undertake an examinatin f a crane. T assist their required cmpetency t assess thers, they shuld als be able t: Understand the functin f in-service training as a management strategy t prmte and ensure best practice within an rganisatin. Be able t critically appraise bth the adequacy f the training prvided and the capability f the trainee. Mnth Year 5

Understand the limits f acceptability which will enable them t identify whether a trainee has attained the knwledge and skills necessary t be cnsidered a cmpetent persn fr the examinatin f the plant in questin. Have the ability t cmmunicate this feedback bth verbally and in clear written frm. 8. REFERENCES 8.1 ISO/IEC 17020: 2004 General criteria fr the peratin f varius types f bdies perfrming inspectin. 8.2 ISO 23814: 2009 Cranes Cmpetency requirements fr crane inspectrs. 8.3 BS 7121-2: 2003 Cde f Practice fr safe use f cranes part 2: inspectin, testing and examinatin. 8.4 CEOC TC Inspectin CI: Draft 4 04.02.08 Framewrk fr CEOC guidelines n qualificatin f inspectin persnnel. 8.5 UKAS RG0: 2007 Guidelines n the cmpetence f persnnel undertaking engineering inspectins. 8.6 UK Cnstructin Plant-Hire Assciatin (CPA) TCIG 0801: 2008 Best practice guide fr maintenance, inspectin and thrugh examinatin fr twer cranes. 8.7 Safety Assessment Federatin (SAFed) Standard 01: 2001 Recruitment, training and cmpetency f engineer surveyrs. Mnth Year 6

Figure 1: Outline prcesses fr the establishment f cmpetence, authrisatin, mnitring and reassessment f persns undertaking the examinatin f cranes. (With permissin f UKAS frm RG0: 2007 Guidelines n the cmpetence f persnnel undertaking engineering examinatins.) External r internal candidate fr examinatin Selectin: is candidate suitable fr examinatin? N Nt suitable fr activity Train and develp candidate as required Yes Assessment: is persn cmpetent? Nt Yet Retrain: is persn suitable fr mre training? N Yes Authrise candidate fr examinatin Mnitr perfrmance: is cmpetence being maintained? N Yes Peridic reassessment: is persn cmpetent? N Mnth Year 7

Appendix A. Mandate A cmmn apprach t ensuring the cmpetence f key inspectin persnnel (and their assessrs) in relatin t the peratin f twer and mbile cranes. Mandate The SLIC MACHEX Grup and the Advisry Cmmittee n Safety and Health at Wrk has set up a jint Wrking Party t agree a cmmn apprach t ensuring the cmpetence f the persnnel (and their assessrs) required t carry ut peridic and assembly examinatins f twer and mbile cranes. With this wrk t supprt the mutual recgnitin f qualificatins and the free mvement f wrkers. The Wrking Party is a jint SLIC MACHEX / Tripartite ACSH grup. Its remit is: 1. T agree a cmmn apprach t ensuring the cmpetence f thse carrying ut the required peridic thrugh examinatins required by legislatins, in relatin t the peratin f twer and mbile cranes. 2. T agree a cmmn apprach t ensuring the cmpetence f the assessrs f such inspectin persnnel. 3. T prepare draft guidance n the cmmn apprach, fr cnsideratin by Member States. Justificatin 1. A crane is ptentially subject t regular erecting, dismantling and transprtatin. Further a crane may be subject t varied envirnmental cnditins. These factrs (alng with lading peratins) may cause a crane t deterirate and result in a dangerus situatin. The ptential risk t wrkers and the public frm a crane failure is extreme. 2. Cranes, based r registered in ne Member State, are mved and used in anther. This makes mutual acceptance f examinatins carried ut different Member States difficult. This is because there can be significant different legal cmpetence requirements fr examiners in the varius Member States, as shwn by a Machex survey see 5 belw. This mandate and prject des nt address the "plitical" issue f mutual recgnitin f certificates, but is t agree a minimum cmpetence level f examiners acrss the EU that will assist their accreditatin acrss Member States. Hwever, this wrk may facilitate the wider "mutual recgnitin" f certificates debated in ther fra. 3. Secnd hand cranes culd be sld and mved frm ne Member State t anther, ptentially withut manufacturer s dcuments, inspectin and maintenance recrds. Verificatin f such data is ften a difficult task. 4. Existing relevant ISO standards (cvering cmpetency requirements fr crane inspectrs) are nt harmnised fr the EU. Mnth Year 8

5. In 2007, Member States were asked t cmplete and return questinnaires which cntained questins n their legal r administrative arrangements, in relatin t the inspectin f cranes. The published results shwed incnsistent array f arrangements fr ensuring and assessing the cmpetence f key crane inspectin persnnel, such that mutual recgnitin f cmpetence between Member States was nt pssible. A cmmn apprach acrss Member States, with regard the standard f cmpetence f key crane inspectin persnnel (and their assessrs), wuld address cnsistency. 6. The launch f the Services Directive aims t encurage the mvement f services acrss the EU (including crane inspectin persnnel). A cmmn apprach acrss Member States, with regard the standard f cmpetence f key crane inspectin persnnel (and their assessrs), wuld facilitate cnfidence in the mvement f services in this field. Mnth Year 9