Slinging, signalling and the movement of suspended loads
Overview
This standard is about slinging, signalling and the movement of suspended loads to guide them to an agreed destination, landing and leaving the load in a safe condition, selecting and preparing lifting accessories, components and equipment for slinging and signalling, attaching and securing loads, interpreting information, adhering to safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices
This standard is for people working independently or in a team to prepare and sling loads and signal movement to operators of lifting equipment that lift, move and lower suspended loads and can be used by operatives, supervisors and managers
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Performance criteria 1
Interpretation of information
1.1 interpret the information relating to the lifting operation, lifting accessories, equipment and loads from the following sources:
1.1.1 drawings
1.1.2 specifications
1.1.3 schedules
1.1.4 risk assessments
1.1.5 method statements
1.1.6 lift plans
1.1.7 verbal briefings
1.1.8 manufacturers' information
1.2 check the information for the lifting operation is appropriate with regard to the available resources, lifting accessories, load data and calculations in relation to:
1.2.1 weight
1.2.2 quantity
1.2.3 length
1.3 communicate with the relevant people when problems are identified with information provided
Performance criteria 2
Organise and work with others
2.1 organise and work with others, to check and establish how the task is to be conducted
2.2 communicate using discussions, sketches, electronic data, briefings, signalling and radio communications with the following lifting team members:
2.2.1 lift planner or appointed person
2.2.2 lifting operations supervisor
2.2.3 other signallers
2.2.4 lifting equipment operators
2.2.5 ancillary workers
2.2.6 other occupations associated with the lifting operation
Performance criteria 3
Safe working practices
3.1 comply with organisational procedures and official guidance
3.2 comply with the information provided to avoid risk in relation to the following:
3.2.1 methods of work
3.2.2 safe use of health, safety and environmental control measures
3.2.3 safe use and storage of tools and equipment
3.2.4 safe use, storage and handling of lifting accessories
3.2.5 safe use of any access equipment
3.2.6 specific risks to safety, health and welfare
3.2.7 specific risks to the work area and local environment
Performance criteria 4
Selection of resources associated with the activity
4.1 select required resources for the lifting operations including:
4.1.1 lifting accessories
4.1.2 lifting aids
4.1.3 hand tools and ancillary equipment
4.1.4 signalling and communication equipment
Performance criteria 5
Minimise the risk of damage
5.1 comply with organisational procedures to minimise risk and prevent damage in relation to the following:
5.1.1 protecting the loads, work and surrounding area from damage
5.1.2 maintaining a clear and tidy work space
5.1.3 disposing of waste in accordance with organisational procedures, regulations and official guidance
Performance criteria 6
Meet the specification
6.1 comply with the lifting information to carry out the work efficiently and safely to the required specification in relation to the following;
6.1.1 demonstrate work skills to: measure, gauge, judge, calculate, fit, fix, test, balance, interpret, assess, explain, prepare, indicate, inform, instruct, sign, position, adjust, configure, move, secure, signal and relay
6.1.2 select, assess, maintain and use lifting accessories, lifting aids, signalling and communication equipment
6.1.3 prepare lifting accessories prior to slinging
6.1.4 sling and signal for the lifting and movement of suspended loads to given instructions for the following:
-balanced loads
-unbalanced loads
-loose loads
-bundled loads
-containerised loads
-where the operator does not have clear sight of the load
6.1.5 guide, move, control and place suspended loads to agreed destinations to given working instructions using signals and verbal instructions to lifting equipment operators and other signallers where relevant
6.1.6 detach lifting accessories from loads and leave in a safe state
6.1.7 reconfigure lifting accessories after detachment following placing of a load so that any component part does not foul structures or objects
6.1.8 carry out post lifting checks and storage requirements of lifting accessories
Performance criteria 7
Allocated time
7.1 complete the work in accordance with the programme of work activities and provide post-operation feedback to team members in relation to the following:
7.1.2 completion of own work that conforms to safe working practices and required timescales to meet the needs of other occupations, customers and employers
7.1.3 relay problems encountered during the lifting operation back to relevant team members
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Performance criteria 1
Interpretation of information
K1 why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented
K2 the types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:
2.1 drawings
2.2 specifications
2.3 schedules
2.4 method statements
2.5 risk assessments
2.6 lift plans
2.7 verbal briefings
2.8 manufacturers' information
K3 how to report and rectify inappropriate information, and how this is implemented in relation to:
3.1 drawings
3.2 specifications
3.3 schedules
3.4 method statements
3.5 risk assessments
3.6 lift plans
3.7 verbal briefings
3.8 manufacturers' information
K4 the organisational procedures for identifying and rectifying problems with information within given authority and why it is important that they are followed
K5 why it is important that problems with the given information, resources or methods of work must be relayed immediately to relevant people dependant on whether they are:
5.1 within own authority to rectify
5.2 require organisational reporting procedures
Performance criteria 2
Organise and work with others
K6 how to communicate using discussions, sketches, electronic data, briefings, signalling and radio communications with the following lifting team members:
6.1 lift planner or appointed person
6.2 lifting operation supervisor
6.3 other signallers
6.4 lifting equipment operators
6.5 ancillary workers
K7 how to organise the materials, components and equipment relating to types, quantity, quality, size and the sustainability of standard and specialist:
7.1 lifting accessories
7.2 signalling and communication equipment
7.3 hand tools and ancillary equipment
K8 the skills required to carry out the work in relation to own occupation and other occupations related to the work
Performance criteria 3
Safe working practices
K9 the organisational procedures that are based on official guidance and approved codes of practice and how they are applied in relation to the operatives responsibilities regarding potential accidents, health hazards and the environment in the workplace
K10 how emergencies should be responded to and who should respond in relation to:
10.1 fires
10.2 spillages
10.3 injuries
10.4 emergencies relating to occupational activities
K11 the organisational security procedures for relevant tools, equipment and personal belongings in relation to:
11.1 site
11.2 workplace
11.3 company
11.4 operative
K12 the accident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making reports
K13 why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used in relation to:
13.1 collective protection measures
13.2 personal protective equipment (PPE)
13.3 respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
13.4 local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
K14 how to comply with safe and environmentally responsible work practices to meet the requirements of current organisational procedures and official guidance when dealing with potential accidents, health hazards and the environment in relation to:
14.1 below ground level
14.2 in confined or restricted spaces
14.3 at height
14.4 tools and equipment
14.5 materials and substances
14.6 movement and storage of materials by manual handling or mechanical lifting
Performance criteria 4
Selection of resources associated with the activity
K15 the characteristics, type, quantity, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with the materials, components and equipment why they are important and how defects should be rectified in relation to:
15.1 lifting accessories
15.2 signalling and communication equipment
15.3 hand tools and ancillary equipment
K16 why the organisational procedures have been developed for the selection of resources and how they are used
K17 how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with deviation from given information, incorrect use of resources or methods of work are reported in relation to:
17.1 own authority to rectify
17.2 organisational reporting procedures
K18 how to report unsuitable resources such as:
materials, components and equipment relating to types, quantity, quality, size and the sustainability of standard and specialist:
18.1 lifting accessories
18.2 signalling and communication equipment
18.3 hand tools and ancillary equipment
Performance criteria 5
Minimise the risk of damage
K19 how to protect the load and work area from damage from the following:
19.1 accessories for lifting
19.2 general workplace activities
19.3 nearby structures
19.4 other occupations and activities
19.5 adverse weather conditions
K20 why and how the disposal of waste must be carried out in accordance with:
20.1 environmental concerns and responsibilities
20.2 organisational procedures
20.3 manufacturers information
20.4 statutory regulations
20.5 official guidance
K21 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work area
Performance criteria 6
Meet the specification
K22 how to comply with the given lifting operation information to carry out the work efficiently and safely to the required specification
K23 how methods of work, to meet the specification, are conducted in relation to:
23.1 identifying the authority, duties, authorisation requirements and responsibilities allocated to the role of the slinger/signaller
23.2 identifying the characteristics of lifting equipment and lifting accessories
23.3 identifying and interpreting valid certification for maintenance, inspection and thorough examination
23.4 lifting and transferring people
23.5 slinging loads including balanced, unbalanced, loose, live, bundled, containerised and loads that are blind to the equipment operator
23.6 communicating using hand signals, hand signalling equipment (lights, wands, fluorescent gloves, flags) and electronic communication equipment (loud hailers, radios)
23.7 confirming methods of communication
23.8 recognising blind-spots, potential crush zones and other limitations to equipment operator visibility
23.9 assessing the load characteristics including centre of gravity and lifting points to check the method of slinging
23.10 judging distances, heights and clearances
23.11 determining and checking the route of the load before and during the lift including distances, clearances and landing position
23.12 selecting, handling, assessing and using (assemble, set up and adjust) lifting accessories and aids
23.13 identifying rejection criteria for removing lifting accessories from service
23.14 recognising and determining when specific skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly
23.15 attaching lifting accessories and slinging loads securely
23.16 ensuring balance and stability of loads
23.17 attaching and using load guidance equipment (tag lines)
23.18 guiding, controlling and placing suspended loads by recognised methods of communication and agreed operational procedures
23.19 landing, positioning and detaching loads safely and securely
K24 how to deal with problems arising from information, resources or methods of work that are either within own authority to rectify, or require organisational reporting procedures to be followed
K25 how operative-level basic care, maintenance and storage of lifting-accessories, tools, ancillary equipment, aids, signalling and communication equipment is carried out in relation to responsibilities, authorisation and limitations
K26 how to maintain personal safety for self and others in relation to:
26.1 keeping clear of moving equipment and loads
26.2 underneath slung loads
26.3 crush zones
26.4 edges
26.5 working at height
26.6 poor lighting
26.7 extreme environmental conditions including heat and cold
26.8 poor ground conditions
26.9 places of limited movement
26.10 confined and restricted spaces
Performance criteria 7
Allocated time
K27 what the programme, customer requirements, progress chart, timetable or estimated time is for the work to be carried out and why timescales should be kept whilst maintaining safe working practices
K28 organisational procedures for dealing with unauthorised requests that fall outside of the lift plan or given authorised instructions, assisting with other non-related activities which will affect the work programme