Version: 4.2 Last Updated: 19/11/14 Review Date: 19/11/17 ECHR Potential Equality Impact Assessment: Low 1. About This Procedure 1.1. This procedure explains to managers and staff responsible for lifting equipment the legal requirements for its safe use. 2. Risk Assessments / Health and Safety Considerations 2.1. Under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, the Force has a duty to ensure that all lifting equipment is maintained, inspected and tested to ensure it is safe for use. 3. Procedure 3.1. Definitions : Lifting equipment can be all manner of different pieces of equipment from the lifting device itself to associated equipment such as the following: 3.1.1. Passenger lifts 3.1.2. Rope and pulley systems 3.1.3. Cranes 3.1.4. Engine hoists 3.1.5. Vehicle tail lifts 3.1.6. Front end loader on a tractor 3.1.7. Vehicle hoists 3.1.8. Cradles 3.2. However, equipment which just raises something a short distance to clear the ground so it can be moved, such as a pallet truck or tractor three point linkage is not regarded as lifting equipment. 3.3. It must be ensured that all lifting equipment is suitable for the purposes for which it is to be used. Using a forklift to lift people is not a suitable purpose unless you use specially designed attachments. 3.4. Effects Of High Wind On Lifting Equipment 3.4.1. Where lifting equipment such as cranes or hoists, or its load could be affected by high winds, equipment must be fitted
with devices to detect the wind strength and warn the operator that it is getting close to exceeding the safe operating conditions for the equipment. Where lifting equipment is effected by the wind, the maximum wind speed it can operate in should be established and weather forecasts checked before using the equipment. 3.5. Mobile Lifting Equipment 3.5.1. Only staff and contractors who hold certificates of competence for the equipment being used are permitted to operate mobile lifting equipment. 3.5.2. It must be ensured that mobile lifting equipment fitted with pneumatic tyres should not be used to lift loads unless the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure 3.6. Prevention Of Overload Or Over-turning 3.6.1. Lifting equipment should be fitted with limiters which have visual and audible warnings to indicate the likelihood of the equipment over-turning. It should also be fitted with overloading limiters. Where timber pallets are to support or carry a load as part of a lift they must be of adequate strength. Any eye bolts, strops, connectors or cables should also be of adequate strength for the load being lifted and have their weight stamped on them. In certain circumstances such as welded joints onto a load to allow lifting to take place, you will need to arrange a strength test before carrying out the lift. 3.7. Equipment Used To Lift People 3.7.1. It must be ensured that lifting equipment used to lift people cannot crush or cause people to be struck or fall from the equipment. If a person is likely to be trapped in the equipment, e.g. a lift, that they can be freed and are not exposed to danger. 3.7.2. People must never be lifted on equipment which has not been designed to lift people, unless it is fitted with specially designed equipment, such as fork lift trucks, telescopic handlers and cranes. 3.7.3. Any door or gate which is required to gain access to a lift car should open in such a way as to prevent persons falling from the lift car. Any such doors should be fitted with a device to
prevent users being crushed by the doors. The doors must be interlocked so that they remain closed if the car stops between floors. The doors should be of solid construction. 3.7.4. Where people are required to work from an open carrier such as a mobile elevated working platform, the platform must be suitable guarded around its edge with handrails to 2m with intermediate rails and toe boards. Operators must wear a full body harness with fall arrestor which must be attached to the platform. 3.7.5. Lift cars must have devices to prevent free fall which should be independent of the means of suspension for the car. Suitable gates or doors must be provided to prevent access to the lift shaft which must have interlocks to prevent them being opened when there is no lift car at the landing. Lift motor rooms should be kept locked at all times and access only given to trained and authorised people. There must be a procedure in place to deal with people trapped in a lift car. This should include means of summoning help or raising an alarm from the lift car and staff trained to hand wind the lift to the next floor to enable trapped people to get out. Notices should be placed on each level informing people not to use the lift in the event of fire. 3.7.6. Those who are required to operate mobile work platforms must be trained and competent to do so and must be wearing a full body harness. This must be secured to the cage with a fall arrest device. 3.8. Marking Of Lifting Equipment 3.8.1. All lifting equipment must be clearly marked with its safe working load/maximum number of people it can safely lift. This includes any associated equipment such as slings, shackles or eye bolts. This must also include vehicle jacks, even though not technically classed as lifting equipment under the regulations. 3.9. Working Under Suspended Loads 3.9.1. Where reasonably practical, loads should not be lifted or suspended over people. If this cannot be avoided, secondary safety systems should be used in case of failure of the lifting equipment. 3.10. Inspection And Maintenance Of Lifting Equipment
3.10.1. All lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent insurance assessor person before being put into use for the first time and then ever 12 months or 6 months for equipment used to lift people. Records of such examinations should be kept for a period of six years. Any recommendations or repairs identified must be actioned inline with any recommended time scales as soon as possible. 3.10.2. All lifting equipment must be maintained by a competent person in line with manufactures instructions and records kept for 6 years. 4. Roles and Responsibilities 4.1. It is the responsibility of the Estates Strategy and Delivery Director, through the joint service with Hampshire County Council, to ensure all lifts and lifting equipment including passenger lifts are maintained and inspected in line with manufacturers recommendations and the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. 4.2. It is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council to inform the Estates Strategy and Delivery Director of any defects relating to lifting equipment which have been identified. 4.3. It is the Estate Strategy and Delivery Director s responsibility to ensure any defects are rectified. Both the Estate Strategy and Delivery Director and Hampshire County Council s Estate Team are responsible for ensuring that the Forces Corporate Health and Safety Adviser is provided with details on both the inspections and defects found, along with the plan for rectification with timescales. 4.4. It is the responsibility of the Head of Transport to ensure any vehicle lifting equipment including hoists are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the above regulations. Those staff examining vehicles at premises not belonging to Hampshire such as vehicle examiners. Are responsible for ensure such equipment has been inspected and tested and safe for use. 5. Administration 5.1. Copies of maintenance records and lift inspection certificates must be kept by Hampshire County Council s Estates team, with copies also being provided to the Force Insurance Adviser, Estate Strategy and Delivery Director and Force Corporate Health and Safety Adviser.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation 6.1. This procedure will be monitored by the force Corporate Health and Safety Adviser to ensure compliance with current health and safety legislation. 7. Review 7.1. This procedure will be reviewed every three years, or when legislation or Force requirements change. 8. Other Related Procedures, Policies and Information Source 8.1. Related Policies 8.1.1. 21300 Policy Health and Safety 8.2. Related Procedures 8.2.1. N/a 8.3. Information Sources 8.3.1. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 8.3.2. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 8.3.3. AD203 Equality Impact Assessment Origin: Health & Safety