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Regulatory Framework
Unless specifically stated within this document, it has not been compiled with a view to
ensuring compliance with any specific legislation or regulatory requirements, whether in the
UK or elsewhere.
In the event of a conflict between any applicable legislation or regulatory requirements and
any information contained in this document, the legislation or regulatory requirements shall
prevail.
Status
Mandatory means that no derogation is allowed by the policy or procedure. Comply or
explain means that no derogation from the policy or procedure is allowed unless such
derogation is explained in accordance with the process and timing (ex ante or ex post)
provided by said policy or procedure. Good practice means that the policy or procedure is
not mandatory, it is a recommendation, it provides for a sound practice.
Mandatory status is indicated by the suffix M
Comply or Explain status is indicated by the suffix -C
Good Practice status is indicated by the suffix G
Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Standards.................................................................................................... 4
2 Scope ................................................................................................................ 4
3 Procedure ......................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Definitions ................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Local Management Systems and Local Management Control ..................... 5
3.3 Training and Competence ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.4 Planning of Lifting Operations ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.5 Loads ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.6 Pendant Controls ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.7 Signalling ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.8 Audit and Review ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Appendix D - Example Slinger and Signaller Safety Checklist Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1 Introduction
This Procedure provides guidance on the management of risks associated with lifting
operations. It is intended to be used as guidance to produce local procedures and
promote consistent standards.
1.1 Standards
Where this Health & Safety Procedure refers to Standards, other international or
internationally recognised national Standards may be acceptable, however, the users
of this document should satisfy themselves that any proposed alternative Standards
are appropriate.
2 Scope
This Health and Safety Procedure applies to all locations where BEI has operational
control. This includes:
All subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and associates with over 50% shareholding;
Those assets where BEI always appoint the station manager, or executive
managing director;
Those assets where BEI contract out the operations and maintenance
function of the entity to a third party (e.g. wind farms);
through which we can exert significant influence over operations at the entity.
Lifting equipment covers work equipment used for lifting or lowering loads and
includes its attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. It includes any
lifting accessories that attach the load to the machine in addition to the equipment
which carries out the actual lifting function. This includes equipment on 'hire' from a
third party and equipment which is used by contractors and subcontractors. The
scope is therefore very wide and includes a range of equipment from an eyebolt to a
tower crane. Guidance on checklists that can be used before and during lifting
operations is included in the appendices.
This Procedure applies in all situations where lifting equipment is used and lifting
operations are carried out.
3 Procedure
3.1 Definitions
Appointed Person: A person responsible for organising and controlling lifting
operations, including;
a) selecting the crane and lifting equipment,
b) ensuring that adequate inspection, maintenance and testing of the
equipment has been carried out,
c) producing detailed written lifting plans,
d) identifying defects and weaknesses and their importance in relation to the
safety of the equipment to be assessed.
e) providing instruction and supervision during the lifting operation.
The effectiveness of local procedures is monitored and reviewed and the local
procedures revised as necessary.
This type of lifting will typically be carried out routinely by trained Crane
Operators, Slingers/Riggers and/or Forklift Truck drivers.
For Routine Lifts an initial plan may only be required once but may need to be
reviewed occasionally to make sure that nothing has changed and the plan remains
valid. For Non Routine Lifts there will be a need to plan the task each time it is
carried out.
Care should be taken to prevent inadequate planning of spur of the moment lifts
(sometimes known as lifts for favours). This can typically occur, for example, when
mobile cranes are bought onto site and opportunities are taken to carry out
unplanned lifting operations. In these circumstances a point of work lifting
assessment can be used in the first instance. This will identify if a more detailed
Lifting Plan is required. An example is included in Appendix D.
c) Contract Lifts A contract lift is a lifting operation that is contracted out in
total. The contractor will supply the lifting equipment, the accessories for
lifting and competent staff. The lifting plan and risk assessment should be
completed prior to the commencement of the lifting operation and be
evaluated and approved by an Appointed Person.
3.5 Loads
3.5.1 Safe Working Load (SWL) and Working Load Limit (WLL)
WLL can generally be thought of as being the maximum load an item can lift under
ideal conditions. SWL can usually be thought of the maximum load the item can
sustain under the conditions in which it is being used, following an assessment by a
competent person. In many cases WLL and SWL will be the same.
Lifting equipment and accessories, including every rope, chain, etc. should be clearly
marked with its SWL (or WLL if it is the same) and carry an identifying mark. Where
this is not possible then a coding system, such as a tag or colour code, should be
used to allow the user to determine the SWL. A lifting accessory may also be
marked with its own weight which is a consideration when assessing the total load to
be lifted. Where the SWL depends on the configuration of a lifting accessory, such
as a two leg chain, then the SWL for each configuration should be clearly marked on
the equipment. An example could be the use of a tag or by a chart available at the
point of use.
In no circumstances whatsoever, must the load on the lifting equipment exceed the
SWL capacity, except when under test by a Competent Person.
When lifting near the SWL capacity, the load should be raised a short distance only
and the operation stopped to check stability and safety before continuing. Wind-
loading will affect how near to the SWL a crane can operate. Care must also be
taken when planning to lift loads out of water as the load may suddenly increase
beyond the SWL since the support previously given by the water buoyancy no longer
exists.
When two cranes or other lifting appliances have to be used for one load, each must
work within its safe working load, and must remain stable throughout the lift. Multiple
lifts of this type must be supervised by an Appointed Person.
Where lifting machinery has a SWL which varies with its operating radius or is
dependent upon how it is configured, it should be either clearly marked or adequate
information provided to indicate to the user the corresponding SWL. Any marking
should be clearly visible or the information readily available to the operator or user.
Any carrier used for lifting persons (e.g. a suspended personnel basket or car of a
passenger lift) should clearly display the maximum number of persons to be carried.
The load should be lifted only a nominal distance at first. This allows the operator to
check the estimations of balance, stability, and general security of the load while it is
in a relatively safe position. If any discrepancies are found the load should be
lowered and the slinging revised and where necessary the lifting plan revisited. The
sequence of trial lift and adjustment should be repeated until the operator is satisfied
that the load is balanced, stable and secure.
Many accidents associated with lifting operations are caused by faulty slinging (for
example, overloading, use of the wrong type of sling, unbalanced or insecure loads).
This can result in the load falling or tipping out of control. Precautions must be taken
to prevent the load striking, or becoming snagged on, any obstacle or causing other
items to fall from height.
Loose materials (fasteners, tools, etc.) should be banded and on pallets when being
lifted or they should be lifted in a properly constructed box or other container. If loose
materials are being lifted, side pieces should be fitted to prevent anything falling.
Containers must be prevented from moving and should not be overfilled.
Where practicable, loads should not be suspended or carried over areas occupied by
persons. However, where this is not practicable, a safe system of work should be
developed to minimise any risks to those below the load. Where possible, the layout
of the workplace should be organised so that no person will have to work under a
suspended load. The safe system of work should include, for example, the
prevention of access to the danger area below a suspended or moving load, by
barriers, and ensuring the load is adequately secured and that the operator is in
control of the movement at all times.
Turning loads from one plane to another is particularly hazardous. Where loads are
to be turned from one plane to another, the use of a single sling or lifting point should
be avoided where possible.
when a load does break free, the sudden shock can result in damage to the boom or
crane machinery, failure of the sling, failure of the wire, whiplash, and other dangers.
It is imperative that prior to lifting, checks are made to ensure the load is not attached
to, or trapped against any fixed item.
3.7 Signalling
If the operator cannot see the load or the crane operating area during the whole
lifting operation, they must have one or more trained signallers or some other
signalling system (e.g. radio) to enable them to manoeuvre the load safely. It is
recommended that where a signaller is necessary, the signaller is in verbal contact
with the operator by two-way radio whenever the lifting equipment is moving, as well
as when moving or manouvering an unloaded crane.
It is also essential that a signalman is in place, acting as the eyes and ears of the
operator whenever there is a situation where, for example, a crane is being moved
and the operator does not have clear visibility all around the crane.
Signallers must be in a safe position, have a clear view of the path of the load have
effective communication with the operator. Signals must be clear and distinct.
Mechanical or electrical signals should be kept in good order and safeguarded
against accidental operation.
In any case, a crane or load is considered moving until it reaches it full stop position
and the load and the lifting equipment is placed in its initial, final or resting position.
4 Superseded Documents
This document supersedes Health and Safety Procedure H&S PROC/032
Organisation of Lifting Operations Version 1 March 2013.
5 References
None.
Lifting Operations
Determine the type of lifting operation taking place.
Yes Yes
Ensure that adequately trained persons are available to plan, carry out and
supervise the lift.
Ensure that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been carried out, which
considers all aspects of the lift including environmental factors such as the
proximity of obstructions, underground services, overhead cables and structures.
Ensure that lift plans and method statements for the lifting operation are
developed as appropriate.
Ensure that appropriate protection measures are put in place.
Ensure that all temporary works supporting lifting equipment, such as
foundations, have been certified by a Competent Person.
Ensure that a current thorough examination and/or test record has been issued
and is available for each item of lifting equipment and accessory.
Ensure that the SWL of the lifting equipment and accessories is adequate for the
weight of the load.
Ensure that all lifting accessories are clearly marked with their safe working load.
Ensure that correct and up-to-date copies of the Sling Chart and Safe Working
Load tables are available, when using multi-leg slings. This could also be a tag on
the sling bearing the SWL in different configurations.
Ensure that the method of communication is agreed and understood by everyone
involved in the lift.
Ensure that the weights of loads to be lifted are known in advance, and that load
weights are clearly marked.
Ensure that the ground conditions are sufficiently stable to take the weight of the
lifting equipment and any load.
Ensure that a trained and competent slinger is available.
Ensure that a trained and competent signaller is available if required.
Ensure that all personnel involved in the lifting operation have been briefed and
understand the risks, methods or work and the equipment to be used including
emergency arrangements.
Ensure that the appropriate permissions have been gained if it is necessary to
position any crane on the public highway (or other public place) to carry out lifting
operations.
Ensure that unfit slings are removed from the site, and a responsible person
informed.
Ensure that the crane hook is positioned above the loads centre of gravity.
Ensure that the load is free before lifting and that all legs have a direct load.
Ensure that snatch loading does NOT take place.
Ensure that NO ONE rides on a load which has been slung and is being lifted.
Use tag lines to stabilise long or large loads.
Ensure that the load is landed onto battens to prevent any damage to slings, and
to assist their easy removal.
Ensure that NO ONE is under a load which is suspended, being lifted or being
moved.
Check that daily and weekly inspections are being carried out.
Ensure the crane is operating from planned and approved positions only in
accordance with lift plans and method statements.
Ensure that the signaller is available for each lift.
If outriggers are being used, ensure that they are fully extended, locked and
adequately supported.
Check that tyres are at the correct pressure and in good, clean condition and that
tracks are properly maintained.
Check that the crane is kept at a safe, predetermined distance from any open
excavations or live overhead electricity cables.
Check, when travelling, that the load is secured and carried as near to the ground
as possible and that tag lines are used.
Check that the rated capacity and radius indicators are in working order.
Check that loads are not being slewed over any persons and that persons are not
standing or walking under the load.
Check, when travelling on sloping ground, that the driver changes the radius to
accommodate the movement of the load.
Slings and other chains are not shortened by tying knots in them or by wrapping
them round the crane hook.
Fibre or rope slings are not damaged.
Chains are not joined by means of bolts or wire.
Wire ropes are not sharply bent or flattened at any point.
Wire ropes are never in contact with hot metal or acids that will damage them.
Wire ropes are never used singly when hooked by a spliced eye. (The cable is
liable to untwist, allowing the splices to open and slip)
The proper pin is used in all shackles and the correct type of shackle is being
used.
All end links, rings or shackles ride freely on any hook on which they are used.
The wind strength is safe for lifting operations to start.
Reject:
Any slings of insufficient length which create a wide angle between legs.
Extra long slings which seriously reduce the headroom.
Any wire ropes that have become damaged or rusty.
Any fibre or rope slings that are damaged or frayed.
When loading
Ensure crane hooks are lowered to near working level before lifting slings on or
off.
Ensure that safety catches, where fitted, are in good working order as they can
become damaged during repeated use.
Ensure the slings are protected from sharp-edged loads by packing soft wood or
other suitable material between the load and the sling. (Bricks are not suitable
packaging material.)
Ensure the load is evenly distributed to avoid excessive stress on one side of the
sling.
DO NOT let any load rest on a wire rope; it may crush the strands and render the
rope unsafe.
Before lifting
During lifting
Ensure hooks and slings not in use are carried on the carrying hook, since they
may cause the sling carrying the load to ride on the nose of the hook.
Never ride on a crane load, or allow any other person to do so.
Whenever possible, keep the load clear of people.
Ensure chains, slings, hooks or loads are never dragged along the ground.
When unloading
Make sure there is a firm foundation for the load, and make provision for the
removal of all slings.
Stack material securely and provide a safe access for subsequent removal.
Job description:
Part 1
WOC Number(s):
Pre-lifting Checklist Answer the following questions by ticking the relevant box Yes No
Does the item to be lifted have designated lifting points?
Check Load
Are they free from visible defects?
Check Lifting Gear Is it fit for use, free from cracks, nicks, gouges and free from patent
defects?
Are you confident that all the risks have been considered and you
Assess Lift and your team are happy to proceed with the lift? If you are in
any doubt, Stop and contact your supervisor.
If you have answered No to Part 2 then produce sketch and calculations.
If you ticked No to any of the boxes in Part 2 you must list the actions taken to rectify the situation.
All information to be included in Part 3 of this form.
Part 3
Make a sketch of lifting arrangements if designated lifting points not available.
(Use separate sheet if required and attach to this risk assessment)
Record calculations use in weight estimation (use separate sheet if required and attach to this risk assessment).
Record all actions taken in respect of all questions answered with a NO.
(use separate sheet if required and attach to this risk assessment)
The undersigned persons have been involved in or instructed and understand the safety precautions contained in this
assessment
Title Print Name Signature
Lift Supervisor
Rigger
Banksman/Signaller
Crane Operator
Other team members
Lift Plan
Work Order No: ...............................................
Work @ Height Risk Assessment completed Yes / No
Point of Work
Lift Assessment Completed: Yes / No Delete where applicable*
Assessors Name: Date:
Job title:
Lift description:
Load Description:
Weight: Overview of Lift: Adequacy of Ground support:
Sketch of Load with approximate dimensions and estimated location of centre of gravity:
Lifting Method:
Type of lifting Appliance SWL of lifting equipment: Condition of lifting equipment (visual
to be used: inspection):
...
Condition of Tele-Handler & MEWP (visual SWL of MEWP at reach: Expiry date of Crane Test Certificate:
inspection):
..
.. .
Job Specific Hazards: PPE Required:
The undersigned persons have been involved in or instructed and understand the safety precautions contained in this assessment
Title Print Name Signature
Lift Supervisor
Rigger
Banksperson/Signaller
Crane Operator
Other team members