1.A7.7 PLANNING THE PROCEDURE
Having completed the research, the procedure can be considered. There are nine points to be taken into account when setting the procedure to be adopted, as follows:
cooperation and communication with others;
selection and, if necessary, installation or erection of the lifting equipment;
selection of the lifting accessories;
checking the lifting equipment is fit to use;
assembly of the slinging arrangement;
making a trial lift;
lifting and, if necessary, travelling the load;
making a trial landing; and
clearing up.
1.A7.7.1 Cooperation and Communication With Others
In all but the most basic of lifting operations, it will usually be necessary to communicate and enlist the cooperation of others. It will normally be necessary to liaise with personnel responsible for, or working in, the area in which the lifting operation is to be made to ensure that the lifting operation will not conflict with other activities, can be carried out safely without risk to others and, where necessary, the area can be evacuated. The extent to which such discussions and arrangements are necessary will depend on the particular site, the operation and its complexity. The following matters should be considered:
The authority to erect any structure or lifting machine necessary for the lift. It is important that, where building members are to be used to support the lifting machine, e.g. a roof beam, the suitability is confirmed and authorised by a structural engineer, or similarly qualified person, able to make the necessary calculations. Similarly, a check of hard standing areas, e.g. floors, may be necessary. There may also be the need to liaise with and obtain the authority of other trades, e.g. electrical engineer regarding the connection of power supply, civil engineers to check suitability of ground conditions, etc.
The authority and instructions to carry out the lift. The authority of those responsible for the area in which the lift is to be made should be obtained before the lift is made. Steps must be taken to ensure the lifting operation does not conflict with other activities in the area or under the path of the load. The operatives carrying out the lifting operation must be briefed and given the necessary instructions so that they fully understand the procedure to be adopted, their duties and responsibilities. One person should be appointed to take overall responsibility for the operation, and this will include liaison with others who may be affected by the operation, the creation of method statements and risk assessments.
The method of communication and signals. Where more than one operative is involved in the lifting operation, the method of communication and signals to be used must be agreed and understood by all those engaged in the operation. Only one person should be authorised to signal or instruct the crane driver, except in the case of the emergency stop signal.
1.A7.7.2 Selection and Installation of the Lifting Equipment
The correct selection and safe installation of suitable lifting equipment is vital to the safety of the lifting operation. In particular the following matters should be taken into account in the assessment:
Adequate capacity. The lifting equipment should be of adequate capacity for the load to be lifted and any other loads that may be imposed on it during the lifting operation. Where applicable, the capacity of the equipment should make allowance for any de-rating deemed necessary, either by the selection of purposely de-rated equipment (i.e. rated with a higher factor of safety and marked with an appropriately lower SWL) or by the selection of equipment of a higher SWL.
Operation and operating speeds. The operating speed of power operated equipment should not be so fast as to make it difficult to control the movement and positioning of the load. The effort required to be applied by the operative of manual equipment should not be excessive and account should be taken of fatigue where the effort has to be applied for long periods.
Headroom and height of lift. The lifting equipment must have sufficient headroom to allow the attachment of the lifting accessory and provide the required height to lift and manoeuvre the load without reaching any safety limits or stops.
Positioning. The hook of the lifting machine must be able to be positioned over the centre of gravity of the load.
Travel. The lifting equipment must permit any sideways movement (travel) of the load as necessary.
Safe to operate. If equipment has been installed specially for the job, it must be thoroughly examined by a competent person to ensure that it is properly installed and safe to operate. Where appropriate the thorough examination will include a test. Where existing equipment is to be used, it should be covered by a current report of a thorough examination issued by a competent person.
1.A7.7.3 Selection of Lifting Accessories
The nature of the load, the overall task to be performed and the environment will be the main factors influencing the selection of the lifting accessories. The final selection will however to some degree be a matter of personal choice and availability. In particular the following matters should be considered:
Supporting the load. If the load is not strong enough to support itself, additional support will have to be provided. In some cases the method of attaching the lifting accessory and slinging the load, e.g. by using a wide webbing sling in basket hitch, may provide sufficient support.
Containing the load. If the load is made up of more than one part, or if there are loose pieces, where there may be a risk of them separating whenever possible they should be dismantled or removed. Where this is not practicable, they must be contained by the slinging arrangement and/or the use of additional accessories to ensure they cannot fall.
Capacity of lifting accessory. The SWL of the lifting accessory must take account of the weight of the load, any de-rating deemed necessary and the mode of use.
Damage to the load. The lifting accessory and its mode of use must not cause damage to the load, e.g. by crushing, by scoring polished surfaces.
Damage to the lifting accessories. The lifting accessory must not be damaged by the load, e.g. by cutting, by bending, nor should they be damaged by the environment, e.g. by heat, by chemical contact.
Control of the load. The slinging arrangement should enable the load to be controlled in the air, where necessary load manipulation devices should be used.
1.A7.7.4 Checking the Lifting Accessory is Fit to Use
Before assembly, the operative should check that the lifting accessories are fit for use. In particular a check should be made for:
Clear identification and SWL marking.
Freedom from damage, deformation and obvious signs of wear.
Compatibility with other items of lifting gear, accessories and lifting equipment.
1.A7.7.5 Assembly of the Slinging Arrangement
In order to ensure that the load will be balanced when lifted, the hook of the lifting machine should be placed vertically above the centre of gravity of the load. The lifting accessory should then be attached to the load and lifting machine, ensuring that all pieces are free to align correctly. The hook of the lifting machine should then be raised so as to take up the slack and a check made to ensure that the gear is correctly positioned and that the hook of the lifting machine remains vertically over the centre of gravity of the load. Operatives must be aware of the safety procedures to be adopted when taking up the slack, e.g. keeping fingers, toes etc clear to avoid crushing or entrapment.
1.A7.7.6 Making a Trial Lift
Before making the lift, it is essential that a check be made to ensure that the arrangement is satisfactory. This is done by making a trial lift just clear of the ground. It is necessary to ensure that the load is free to be lifted and that it will remain secure, stable and balanced when in the air. If the load does not rise evenly and level, it should be lowered and the lifting accessory repositioned. Further trial lifts will be necessary until a stable and balanced condition is achieved.
1.A7.7.7 Lifting and Travelling the Load
Before commencing the lift, ensure that the landing area has been prepared and that any necessary packing, supports, cradles, etc. or tools are to hand. When lifting and travelling the load, care must be taken to ensure that it remains as safe, e.g. balanced and stable, in the air as it was on the ground. The load should be lifted in a controlled manner to prevent shock loading on the lifting equipment. The speed of movements should be controlled so as not to cause the load to swing. Similarly, when halting the movement, care is necessary to prevent load swing. Swinging loads can become unstable and impose higher, shock, loads on the lifting equipment. Care must be taken to avoid obstacles and people. A warning should be given to exposed persons to clear the area. Wherever possible, loads should be grounded in the event of the operation having to be halted unexpectedly. If, for any reason, it is necessary to halt the operation and leave the load suspended, steps should be taken to cordon off the danger area and prohibit access. In any event, suspended loads should not be left unattended.
1.A7.7.8 Making a Trial Landing
On arrival at the landing site a check should be made as to the position of the load, packers and supports to ensure that the load may be safely lowered into position without trapping the lifting accessory. The load should be lowered gently until landed, but the lifting accessory should not be allowed to go slack. A check should be made to ensure that the load is safe and will remain stable when the lifting accessory is removed and, if not, it must be lifted clear and the supports and packers repositioned until the load can be safely landed. Once the load has been satisfactorily landed, the lifting machine should be lowered sufficiently to slacken off the lifting accessory. Where the weight of the lifting accessory allows, carefully remove it by hand as attempting to drag it clear by pulling with the lifting machine can cause it to become caught and overturn the load and/or cause abrasion damage to the lifting accessory.
1.A7.7.9 Clearing Up
On removal of the lifting accessory, it should be checked and, if necessary, cleaned before returning it to safe storage. Any items found to be contaminated or damaged should not be placed in storage but should be quarantined for subsequent inspection and maintenance by a competent person.