Workers using lifting equipments can be life threatening if it is not used properly. Knowledge and training would mean a better chance of avoiding accidents and a safer working condition amongst workers. Below are some of the procedures and guidance to follow:
Hoist
1. Each overhead electric hoist is equipped with a limit device to
stop the hook travel at its highest and lowest point of safe travel.
2. Each hoist will automatically stop and hold any load up to 125 percent of its rated load, if its actuating force is removed.
3. The rated load of each hoist is legibly marked and visible to the operator.
4. Stops are provided at the safe limits of travel for trolley hoist.
5. The controls of hoist are plainly marked to indicate the direction or motion.
6. Each cage-controlled hoist is equipped with an effective warning device.
7. Close-fitting guards or other suitable devices are installed on
hoists to assure hoist rope's will be maintained in the sheaf groves.
8. All hoist chains or ropes are of sufficient length to handle the full range of movement of the application while still maintaining two full wraps on the drum at all times.
9. Nip points or contact points between hoist ropes and sheaves which
are permanently located within 2.1 m of the floor, ground, or working
platform, are guarded.
10. It is prohibited to use chains or rope slings that are kinked or twisted.
11. It is prohibited to use the hoist rope or chain wrapped around the load as a substitute for a sling.
12. The operator is instructed to avoid carrying loads over people.
Cranes and Lifting Gear
1. Crane work requires good pre-planning, well-maintained equipment, skilled operators and riggers
2. Mobile effort must be placed on pre-planning for the movement and
operation of cranes and lifting appliances. All lifting equipment must
be properly maintained. Qualified and experienced operators, riggers and
banks men (signalmen) must be provided.
General Requirements
1. Each crane and lifting equipment shall have a valid test certificate and load capacity rating issued by the authority.
2. Crane operators must be competent. Each crane operator shall hold a valid license and an approved Crane Certificate for the lift capacity of the crane he operates.
3. Slingers (riggers) and banks men (signalmen) must be competent for the jobs they are assigned to perform.
4. All lifting gear, such as slings, chains, shackles and lifting beams
must have a valid test certificate, and be marked with the safe working
load.
5. Each crane shall be inspected by an authorized agent when first brought to the site and three months thereafter.
6. Operators shall perform a check of their assigned crane each day before the start of the operations.
7. All crane outdoor operations shall be stopped during thunder (electrical) storms.
Procedures for Crane Operators
1. An escort vehicle shall be provided for the movement of large cranes.
2. Before making a lift, the weight of the item to be lifted must be
known. The weight of the block and all associated lifting gear must be
calculated as a part of the load to be lifted.
3. The crane must be capable of making the lift without exceeding the
load limit of the crane, for the radius of the lift to be made.
4. Tag lines shall be used as required.
5. Ground condition must be checked. Outrigger jacks pads shall be
used. Ground compacting test may be required for heavy lifts.
6. As required and where practicable, the area of crane operations will
be roped off to prevent persons from entering into the operating radius
of the crane.
7. Crane boom and jib shall not be left in a boom-up position overnight without prior approval.
8. All tandem lifts must be approved by the company. A method statement
must be submitted that included a sketch of the tandem lift and rigging
study.
9. A trained lifting supervisor will be the competent personnel for all
lifting operations. He should wear a colored vest for easy
identification purposes.
Lifting gear
1. All lifting gears must have a test certification. The test certification must be available for inspection upon request.
2. All lifting gear shall be tagged with it's safe working load (SWL)
3. All lifting gear shall be numbered and color coded periodically to enable quick inspection.
4. All lifting gear shall be inspected by an approved inspector on a yearly schedule. A record shall be kept.
5. Steel lashing wire, bands and ropes shall not be used for lifting purposes.
6. Steel lashing wire, bands and ropes shall not be used for lifting purposes.
7. Padding will be used when lifting sharp edged materials.
