Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment LOLER 98 Lifting Equipment

Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment

LOLER 98 èLifting Equipment must be of adequate strength & stability, as must the load itself èLifting equipment used for lifting people must be designed to prevent falls, crushing, trapping or striking èEquipment must be positioned and installed to prevent load drifting, free-falling or unintentional release from causing injury èSWL and other necessary safe use information marked on the equipment

LOLER 98 èLifting operations must be properly planned, organised, supervised and carried out safely èEquipment must be thoroughly examined after installation and prior to service. Equipment for lifting people must be examined and tested every 6 months; other equipment every 12 months èAny defects must be reported to employer, with particulars as specified in Schedule 1 to the Regs. If defects are found, equipment must not be used until they are remedied èRecords must be kept

Cranes èTypes: l l l Tower Crane Mobile Crane Derrick Cranes Gantry Cranes Overhead Cranes

Cranes èSafety Devices: l l SWL/Radius Indicator Automatic Safe Load Indicator

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Crane èWeight & dimension of loads èHeight of lifts and distances/areas of movement of loads èNumber and frequency of lifts èDuration of operations èSite ground conditions èSpace available for crane access, erection, operation & dismantling

Platform Hoists èThere are 2 main types: l l Cantilever type Enclosed structure type

Lifting Equipment èJacks l l l Screw Jacks Ratchet Jacks Hydraulic èWinches

Lifting Tackle èRopes èBlock & Tackle èChains èEyebolts

Safe Use of Ropes & Wires èMust be in good condition before use I. e. not frayed or corroded èRopes & wires must be protected from sharp edges of load by use of packing èNo knots or hitches in slings or lifting ropes èNever drag ropes or wires over the ground èWhen using more than one sling, ensure they are of the same material

Safe Use of Chains èNever use chains with links locked or stretched èNever hammer distorted links into position èNever use corroded or worn chains èDo not drag a chain from under a load èDo not drop chains from height èDo not use a chain over sharp corners without padding èChain life is increased by lubrication

Safe Use of Lifting Tackle èNever use hooks if there is any distortion or cracks èRings and shackles must be checked to see they are not distorted or cracked

Storage of Ropes, Wires, Chains & Lifting Tackle èTrained and competent stores èStores must be dry, well ventilated and free from corrosion èRopes must be stored away from sunlight and heaters èStored material should have a systematic layout

Storage of Ropes, Wires, Chains & Lifting Tackle èStore should have area where simple maintenance can be carried out èStore should be secure èAn are where paperwork can be carried out should be provided

Lifting Operations èSite Conditions l l l Access/egress routes Inclines/gradients Location of adjacent buildings Location of overhead lines Ground firm enough to support crane and outriggers No voids exist e. g. manholes, drains etc.

Lifting Operations èPlanning the lift l l l l Correct crane Space for access, egress and movement Suitable ground conditions Crane is level Underground services are protected No overhead or side obstructions Overhead power lines are isolated

Lifting Operations èPlanning the lift l l l Area around lift is demarcated Load is within SWL of crane Location of lifting points ensure load is level Lifting points are strong enough to take the load There are no persons under the load AT ANY TIME

Lifting Operations èPlanning the lift l l l Crane driver is given clear instruction by banksman, either by hand signals or radio All involved understand their role and are competent to undertake it All checks on crane and operator documentation are made Safety helmets are required to be worn by all staff are in vicinity Competent supervision

Lifting Operations èInspection l l l Cranes must have an examination & test loading every 4 years A thorough examination is required every 14 months and an inspection and a test of the safe load indicator should be undertaken each week Inspections must be recorded