OSH5063EP(PRS3607) Workplace and Work Equipment Hazard Session 10 Lifting Operation 1
Lifting equipment Lifting equipment covers any equipment used in the process of lifting loads or people and includes lifts, cranes, hoists and lifting accessories that join the load to the crane. 2
Lifting equipment Definitions from the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (LALGR) mentions: lifting appliance means a crab, winch, teagle, pulley block or gin wheel used for raising or lowering, and a crane, sheerlegs, excavator, pile driver, pile extractor, dragline, aerial cableway transporter or overhead runway, and also any part of any such appliance. 3
Lifting equipment crane means any appliance equipped with mechanical means of raising and lowering a load and for transporting the load while suspended; and also all chains, ropes, swivels, or other tackle (down to and including the hook) used in the operation of a crane; but does not include: a. a hoist block running on a fixed rail or wire; b. a stacker or conveyor whereby a load is moved by means of a belt or platform; or c. an earth or mineral moving or excavating appliance not fitted with a grab; 4
Lifting equipment lifting gear means a chain sling, rope sling, ring or similar gear, and a link, hook, plate clamp, shackle, swivel or eyebolt. 5
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Lifting equipment competent person, in relation to any duty required to be performed by him under the aforesaid regulations, means a person who is: a. appointed by the owner required by these regulations to ensure that the duty is carried out by a competent person; and b. by reason of training and practical experience, competent to perform the duty; 8
Lifting equipment competent examiner, in relation to the carrying out of any test and examination required by the aforesaid regulations, means a person who is: a. appointed by the owner required by these regulations to ensure that the test and examination is carried out; b. a registered professional engineer registered under the Engineers Registration Ordinance (Cap.409) within a relevant discipline specified by the Commissioner for Labour; and c. by reason of his qualifications, training and experience, competent to carry out the test and examination; 9
Lifting equipment safe working load (hereinafter referred to as SWL), in relation to a lifting appliance or to lifting gear, means either : a. the appropriate safe working load for operating the lifting appliance or lifting gear as specified in the current certificate of test and thorough examination delivered in the approved form by a competent examiner in respect of that lifting appliance or lifting gear for the purposes of the LALGR; or b. where no such certificate is required, the relevant safe working load shown in the table referred to in regulation 18(1)(b) of the LALGR. 10
Lifting equipment Inspections, thorough examinations and tests are particularly important for ensuring the safety and reliability of lifting appliances and lifting gear. Statutorily, there are three types of duties as follows: inspection by a competent person; thorough examination by a competent examiner; and test and thorough examination by a competent examiner. 11
Lifting equipment The safety and reliability of a lifting appliance or lifting gear cannot be ensured unless it has received regular inspections. Regular inspections are particularly important because they provide a useful means of detecting potential hazards which could contribute to accidents. 12
Lifting equipment Regular inspections can also forewarn the owner of necessary preventive maintenance or repair, the lack of which can lead to serious deterioration of the lifting appliance and expensive replacement or repair charges. 13
Lifting equipment An inspection means a visual and physical checking usually supplemented by a functional check to examine the states of individual items of a lifting appliance or lifting gear. The purpose of an inspection is to find out whether there is any item having abnormal wear and tear, malfunction, oil leakage, overheating, corrosion, unusual noise, dislocation, visual cracks, misalignment, overloading, abnormal slackening or elongation, and excessive vibration, etc. 14
Lifting equipment The key elements of regular inspection are: frequency and coverage of inspection; competence of persons engaged in inspection; and report by competent person. 15
Safe use of mobile crane Maintain at least 600mm clearance between cranes and obstructions to prevent anyone from becoming trapped. Switch off the engine of the crane when it is left unattended. Provide barriers to separate cranes from overhead power lines. The barriers shall be at a horizontal distance of at least 6m plus jib length from the power lines. Mark the danger area with permanent stakes or flags and high visibility tape. 16
Safe use of mobile crane 17
Safe use of mobile crane When there are several cranes on site they shall be sited clear of each other. Site the crane away from excavations, slopes, underground services or soft ground with outriggers fully extended. Use grillages to distribute the load where appropriate. 18
Safe use of mobile crane Except for the purpose of training in which case each trainee shall be under the direct supervision of a qualified person. Ensure that only trained and competent operators over 18 years of age who hold a valid and recognized certificate operate the cranes. 19
Safe use of mobile crane A crane shall not be used if the report on weekly inspection and the report of result of thorough examination and the certificate of test and thorough examination are not available. A notice to prohibit its use shall be prominently displayed in the operator s cabin. 20
Safe use of mobile crane Ensure that the crane operator has : a. inspected the whole machine including ropes, tyres and tracks, lifting gear, including chains; b. checked that the automatic safe load indicator and load/radius indicators are working; and c. put the crane through all its movements to check brake and clutch operation. 21
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Safe use of mobile crane Ensure that the loads are only lifted vertically and not pulled, dragged or swung, sideways or in line with the jib of the crane. Ensure that the weight of any load to be lifted are accurately determined and never guessed. 23
Safe use of mobile crane Ensure that the platform provided in a crane for the use of the operator or for the signaller is: a. of sufficient area, b. either plated or closely planked; and c. provided with a safe means of access. 24
Safe use of mobile crane Provide and affix a guard rail of adequate strength and of a height of not less than 900mm to the platform and any raised standing place of a crane. Provide and place toe boards of not less than 200mm in height above the level of the platform of a crane and any raised standing place and in a position that will prevent the fall of persons, materials, and tools, from the platform. 25
Safe use of mobile crane Affix a suitable diagram or notice to cranes indicating the position and amount of weights to be used to secure their stability. Do not use cranes under adverse weather conditions likely to endanger their stability. Provide banksman if the view of the crane operator is restricted. 26
Safe use of mobile crane Clearly and legibly mark on cranes: a. the safe working load at various radii of jibs, trolleys or crabs, and b. the maximum radius at which the derrick jib may be operated. 27
Safe use of mobile crane Fit an accurate indicator to a crane, clearly visible to the operator, which shows the radius of jibs, trolleys or crabs and the safe working load applicable to that radius. Ensure that the crane is equipped with an automatic safe load indicator and that the outriggers for supporting the crane are fully extended and secure on sleepers resting on firm ground before any lifting work. 28
Safe use of mobile crane Establish a safe system of work in case the operating spaces of two cranes overlap with each other: Warning system in form of light or sound is considered as a minimum to signify the operator the approach of overlapping area. Appointment of Over-lapping Area Lifting Supervisor (OALS) is require to ensure the co-ordination & control of the lifting operation in overlapping area. 29
Safe use of mobile crane OALS is considered to be optional when an automatic control device will be activated to prevent the overlapping situation occur. Adequate buffer zone on both sides should be allowed to slow down the slowing of the crane so as to prevent a sudden stop which might induce an inertia to the moving load. All detection / warning / control device should be checked to ensure its functional before any work commence. 30
Fork-lift truck A fork-lift trucks (forklifts) means any self-propelled vehicle equipped with a mast along which travels a power-operated device for elevating and carrying loads. Forklifts are widely used for lifting, transporting and handling goods and materials, especially in the industrial sector. 31
Fork-lift truck Every year, there are quite a number of fork-lift accidents leading to serious bodily injuries, deaths or property damage. 32
Fork-lift truck Common causes leading to these accidents include: a. Lack of proper training; b. No segregation of pedestrians from fork-lift operations; c. Lack of edge protection to prevent falls of fork-lifts; d. Operating in ramps having gradients exceeding recommended safe angles; e. Lack of proper maintenance of tyres; and f. Inappropriate modification of fork-lifts for other purpose. 33
Fork-lift truck Risk assessment should be conducted to identify potential all potential hazards associated with the forklift operations. Particular attention should be paid to the working environment, the ground condition and the limitations of the types of forklifts to be used. 34
Safe use of fork-lift Only trained and competent authorised operators shall operate the trucks. Ensure that the pallet construction is suitable for the intended use. Inspect the pallets on each occasion before use. Do not use or modify a forklift truck for other purposes, such as a crane, i.e. fitted with a boom, hook, etc. 35
Safe use of fork-lift Do not permit the use of a forklift truck as a working platform. Do not carry passengers. Lift with mast vertical or slightly tilted back. Ensure that no attendant labourer stand under an elevated load. 36
Safe use of fork-lift Ensure that forks are correctly spaced to afford maximum support. Always check that weight to be lifted is within the safe capacity of the machine. Ensure that the load travels at the lowest possible level with the mast raked back. 37
Safe use of fork-lift Travel in reverse if the load obscures forward vision. Use an attendant if necessary. Check that tyres are at correct pressure. Avoid sudden stops by careful driving. 38
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