BOSS ZONE 1 GRP MOBILE WORKING TOWER INSPECTION PROCEDURE. Youngman Group Ltd Issue B Date 23/03/09 Page 1 of 8 Pages

Transcription

1 BOSS ZONE 1 GRP MOBILE WORKING TOWER INSPECTION PROCEDURE Youngman Group Ltd Issue B Date 23/03/09 Page 1 of 8 Pages

2 INTRODUCTION This inspection procedure applies to BoSS Zone 1 GRP Mobile Working Towers only. The WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS require all equipment for work at height is inspected at intervals in accordance with the regulations. In addition to any other equipment inspections that may be carried out, Youngman recommend that all BOSS Zone 1 components are inspected using these procedures: a) prior to every use, b) when components are returned from use or hire, c) following any event that may have affected the safe use of the components. Inspection must be carried out by a competent person and records of inspections maintained in accordance with the regulations. Wear suitable personnel safety equipment when working. This includes suitable overalls, safety footwear and gloves. Before starting the inspection ensure the components are not contaminated with any materials or chemicals that are dangerous. Cement, plaster dust etc. can cause skin conditions and respiratory problems. Contaminated components should be cleaned taking all appropriate precautions depending on the type of contamination. Definition of Defects The following definitions for defects must be applied to the Inspection Procedures. To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, it is recommended that these terms should be used as descriptors in all reports or documentation. Cut: Incisions of any dimension in the material of the component resulting from accidental or deliberate action by the user. Cracks: Fractures of any dimension in the material of the components resulting from over-loading or accidental damage or abuse. In the GRP sections, cracks penetrate through the top surface and partially or fully through the thickness of the material (see below Examples 1 and 3). Joints in the surface layer which occur in production of the GRP sections are not cracks (see Example 4). Cracks may also occur in the black plastic fittings resulting from accidental damage or abuse (see Example 2). EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 CRACKED HORIZONTAL CRACKED T JOINT CRACKED PLATFORM SURFACE JOINT Holes: Punctures of any dimension, partially or fully through the thickness of the material, resulting from accidental damage or deliberate action by the user. Breaks between layers (Plywood): Delamination of one or more of the plywood layers over an area of the platform surface greater than one patch measuring 625sq mm (e.g.25mm x 25mm) in an area of 300mm x300mm. Breaks between layers may result from age, incorrect storage or use in extreme conditions, overloading, accidental damage or abuse. Contamination: Soiling of the component material. Contamination is considered unacceptable if the contaminant renders the component dangerous to use or handle, or creates a chemical or biological risk, or if it could have a damaging effect on the material of the component. The condition, quantity and nature of the contaminant, are critical factors. Examples would be: Oil, which could cause a slip hazard in use (on a platform or rung of a tower) or a handling hazard (slipping through hands) or a dermatological risk. Dried plaster on the surface of a Platform could render the surface smooth and slippery. Chemicals may attack the GRP, nylon, aluminium, steel or plywood components of the towers leading to weakening of the structure. Broken Surface: Damage to the surface of the plywood results from age, incorrect storage, use in extreme conditions, overloading, accidental damage or abuse. The surface is considered broken if the damage is: Equal too or greater than the depth of one ply layer or over an area greater than one patch measuring 625sq mm (e.g. a patch 25mm x 25mm) in an area of 300mm x 300mm. Where the surface is raised more than 2mm, creating a trip hazard. Where the surface is sufficiently, rough or splintered, to create a risk of graze or cut injuries. Excessive Corrosion: Evidence of red rust and pitting on steel components or a white powder and pitting on aluminium components. Loose, Missing or Damaged Rivets: Loose rivets will move under moderate hand pressure when inspected according to the procedures. Damaged rivets have the head or the underside missing or they are worn, broken or corroded.

3 PLATFORMS PLYWOOD DECK PLATFORM FRAME HINGES TRAPDOOR CATCH HOOK HOOK & WINDLOCK The plywood decking should be complete, the surface unbroken and free from cracks, cuts, holes or breaks between layers. The face of the plywood must be sufficiently clean and free of contamination to provide a non-slip surface with the brown non-slip coating intact. Check hinges and trapdoor catch are in place and there is no excessive wear, damage, excessive corrosion or contamination. Check freedom of movement when opening and closing trapdoor. With the platform horizontal, open trapdoor fully and release it must fall and shut completely. All fixing rivet heads must be in place, undamaged and free of excessive corrosion. The rivets must be secure and stop the plywood from moving. Check the security of the rivets securing hinges and the trapdoor catch. Check the GRP framework has no damage, cuts, holes, cracks or contamination. Check all cross members are in place. Grasp the cross members and the side member of the platform and using a heavy force check they are secure. Check the 4 black nylon hooks are not damaged and are free from cuts and cracks. Check the internal curve of hook is free from contamination. Check the fixing nuts and bolts are present and secure. Grasp each hook and using a heavy force, check it is securely fastened to the side member. Fit the platform to a tower end frame to check the hook fits correctly and the internal curve is not damaged. Check the rubber windlock at the back of the hook is present and secure and holds the platform tightly on the frame. Platforms must be marked with a label showing the maximum permissible platform load Check label is present, secure and legible and is not defaced or covered with any paint, plaster etc. CRACKED CROSS MEMBER BROKEN CROSS MEMBER & PLYWOOD BROKEN HOOK BROKEN PLYWOOD

4 FRAMES SPIGOTS AND T JOINTS GUSSETS & T JOINTS LADDER FOOTRIM & INTERLOCK CLIP FRAME LABEL Check the GRP tubes are free from damage, cuts, holes, cracks or contamination. Grasp the tubes and using heavy force check they are secure and there is no movement at the connections with the black nylon fittings. Check all the black nylon T Joints, spigots, foot rims and diagonal gussets are free from for any damage, cracks or cuts. Grasp the spigots and foot rims and using heavy force, check they are secure on the frame. Check the nuts and bolts securing the diagonal gussets are in place and secure and free of excessive corrosion.. On Ladder frames, check the built in ladder rungs and stiles (sides of ladder) for straightness. The rungs and stiles must be free from cracks, cuts, holes and contamination. Check all the rungs are present. Check the security of each rung by applying a heavy rotational force to detect any looseness. Check the steel interlock clip is present and retained secularly but free to move in and out on the foot rim. The Spring Interlock Clips are fixed around the black nylon foot rims at the bottom of the frames. The pin, which is riveted to the spring, must be secure and not show signs of excessive wear or corrosion. The spring must not be damaged, distorted or show signs of excessive corrosion. The frame label also shows the safety information for the tower. The label must be present, securely attached and legible and is not defaced or covered with any paint, plaster etc. CRACKED T JOINT CRACKED VERTICAL CRACKED HORIZONTAL MISSING INTERLOCK CLIP CORRRODED BOLT DAMAGED LABEL

5 BRACES BRACE HOOK BRACE TUBE BRACE LABEL CHECKING BRACE RETENTION The tube of the brace should have no cracks, cuts, holes and contamination. Check the hooks for distortion, cracks and damage. Grasp the hook and using heavy force check that is securely fixed into the end of the brace tube. Check the hook mechanism is working correctly. Check the spring and steel hinge pin are present, undamaged and free from excessive corrosion. Check the latch operates freely. Latch the brace hooks on to a frame tube. Using a moderate to heavy force attempt to pull the brace off the frame tube and ensure the hook cannot become detached. Attempt to rotate the brace to ensure it cannot become detached. Check the brace warning labels are in position, securely attached and legible and is not defaced or covered with any paint, plaster etc. 3. CRACKED TUBE BROKEN HOOK & HOOK LATCH CRACKED TUBE

6 STABILISERS STABILISER CLAMP TELESCOPIC INTERLOCK CLIP STABILISER FOOT The tubes of the stabilisers should have no cracks, cuts, holes and contamination. Check the black nylon parts for distortion, cracks, damage and contamination. Grasp the parts and using heavy force check they are securely fixed to the tubes. Check the clamp mechanism is working correctly. Check the pivot bolt and nut are present and free from for excessive corrosion. Check the locking wheel is present and not damaged. Check it rotates freely along the full length of the steel clamp bolt and that the thread is not worn, contaminated or corroded. Check the thread of the steel clamp bolt rotates on its hinge pin and is not damaged or worn and is free from contamination or corrosion. Check the steel hinge pins are present, undamaged, secure in the clamp and there is no excessive corrosion. Check the cap of the clamp rotates feely on its hinge pin and that it is not damaged, cut, cracked or contaminated. Secure a frame tube in the clamp and check that it locks and tightens correctly without undue effort. The thread of the locking wheel and clamp bolt benefit from the application of a penetrating lubricant as part of your routine maintenance. Check the foot is present. Grasp the foot and using heavy force check it is securely fixed to the tube. Check for excessive wear, cracks or other damage, including missing, loose or corroded fixing rivets. On telescopic versions check the telescopic lower part with the foot is present. Check the telescopic tube for freedom of movement within the main tube of the stabiliser. The telescopic tube must be sufficiently clean and free from paint, plaster and other contaminants, which would prevent correct operation. Check the holes for the telescopic adjustment for excessive wear or damage. Check the spring retainer clip is in position and operates to lock the telescopic lower leg within the main tube, at every adjustment position. The clip should present and not be distorted or show signs of excessive corrosion. DETACHED FOOT BROKEN CAP & LOCKING WHEEL. CORRODED BOLTS AND PINS MISSING SPRING CLIP ON TELESCOPIC

7 ADJUSTABLE LEGS RETAINING SPRINGS COLLAR AND FLANGE The stem of the leg must be straight with a maximum deflection of 5mm over the length of the component. There should be no cracks, dents, cuts, holes excessive corrosion or other damage in the stem at any point. The stem and nut must be sufficiently clean and free from paint, plaster and other contaminants that would prevent correct operation of the nut or assembly of the stem into the tower frame. The thread must be complete and not show signs of excessive wear. Check the nut is present, and undamaged. Check that it rotates freely along the entire threaded part of the leg. The nut must not show signs of excessive wear evident by excessive movement between the nut and stem. Check the flange at the base of the leg is present, and undamaged. Use heavy hand force to ensure it is secure on the leg and does not rotate or move. Check the retaining spring rings are present in the groove at the top of the leg and they are undamaged and free from corrosion Check a castor fits securely in the base of the leg. Check the leg fits into a frame and is retained securely by the retaining springs. The thread of the adjustable leg and the nut will benefit from the application of a penetrating lubricant as part of your routine maintenance. DO NOT use any form of grease or heavy oil. CASTORS Check brake lever is free to operate. With brake unlocked (up), check the wheel is free to rotate. With brake locked (down), check wheel is locked. Use moderate force to ensure wheel cannot rotate in the braked position. With brake off ensure castor is free to swivel. Check wheel for signs of cracking, serious chipping or other damage. Check tyres for tears, cuts and loss of adhesion to hub or similar damage. Check steel chassis of castor for distortion. Use heavy force to check for signs of excessive wear in the wheel and swivel bearings. Examine the wheel for excessive wear or flat spots. Check the spigot of the castor for excessive wear or corrosion. Fit the castor into an adjustable leg and ensure the ball retainer in the spigot retains the castor in position. The castor bearing and wheel bearing will benefit from the application of a penetrating lubricant as part of your routine maintenance. IMPORTANT! Take great care when applying lubricant. Do not apply excessive quantities or allow lubricant to cover other areas where it may cause a hazard when handling the component or when using the assembled tower. Wipe off any excess carefully. Make sure that no lubricant is allowed to contact either the surface of the wheel or the brake surfaces. DO NOT use any form of grease or heavy oil. GOOD CASTOR DAMAGED CASTOR

8 BASE PLATES Check plate for excessive buckling. Using heavy hand pressure, check plate is secure on the stem. Check stem is straight and round. Fit the base plate into an adjustable leg and ensure it is retained in position. Check the base plate is not excessively corroded. TOE BOARD GOOD BASE PLATE DAMAGED BASE PLATE TOE BOARDS The toe boards should be free of splits or cracks that would impair its strength. The plywood should be complete, the surface unbroken and free from cracks, cuts, holes or breaks between layers. The plywood must be sufficiently clean and free of contamination. The toe boards should not be warped such that they could not be installed onto the tower correctly. Check the slots and tabs in the boards are free from contamination and that they can be located securely together. Check the red plastic clips on the end toe boards are not broken, cracked or otherwise damaged. Check they are securely fixed to the toe boards and that the fixing screws are present and secure. END TOEBOARD WITH INTERLOCKING SLOTS AND PLASTIC CLIP