Setting up and preparing loads for moving
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to set up/prepare loads for moving, in a marine environment, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to access the appropriate documentation in order to assess the weight of the loads to be moved and to determine the most suitable method of moving the load and the type of equipment required. You will be expected to select the appropriate equipment, to check that it is within current certification requirements and that it is in a safe and usable condition and within the permitted safe working load (SWL) or working load limit (WLL). You will be expected to prepare for moving a variety of loads, such as sheet materials, bundles of materials, assemblies, liquid containers, corrosive and fragile materials. This will involve planning a safe route for moving the load and ensuring that the final designated destination of the load is in a fit state to receive it.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with your organisation's policies and procedures for the setting up/preparation of loads for moving. You will be required to report any problems with the setting up/preparation activities that you cannot resolve, or which are outside your defined authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, either alone or in conjunction with others, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the accuracy and safety of the work that you undertake.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to the setting up/preparation of loads for moving. You will have an understanding of the preparation process, and its application and will know about the preparation requirements, equipment and materials to be used, in sufficient depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required standards.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the setting up/preparation operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- establish the weight of the load to be moved
- determine the method and select suitable equipment to move the load
- check that the equipment to be used is capable of moving the load safely
- determine a suitable route for moving the load minimising risk to people and property
- ensure that the load is secured and protected before moving operations start
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when preparing loads for moving and the need for ensuring load security (such as general workshop and site safety, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), protecting other workers during the lifting operations; accident procedure; statutory regulations, risk assessment procedures and COSHH regulations)
- the hazards associated with preparing loads for moving and how they can be minimised
- an understanding of the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for preparing loads for moving and Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) also BS7121
- the specific requirements for the marking of moving equipment and the specific method used in the organisation in which you are working
- the range of equipment that is to be used for moving loads (such as cranes, low loaders, fork-lift trucks)
- the lifting equipment accessories that are to be used (such as slings, chains, wire ropes, eye bolts)
- how to establish the weight of the load (such as using documentation, calculation from drawings and by estimation)
- how to establish the position of lifting points in relation to the slinging arrangements
- factors which affect the selection of the moving equipment and lifting accessories (such as weight, type of load operating environment)
- how to check that the lifting equipment is capable of lifting the load to be moved
- checks that should be made on the lifting equipment prior to use and what you should look for that could render them unsafe to use
- how to carry out visual in-service inspections of the equipment and what to do should any defective equipment be identified
- how to plan and prepare a route for moving loads and the areas that you will need to take into account
- the specific requirements for the organisation of moving equipment
- signalling techniques used to communicate with crane drivers (to include hand signals, radio and verbal commands)
- how moving equipment should be stored and handled
- the problems that can occur with slinging, lifting and moving loads and how these can be avoided
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Ensure that the equipment to be used is suitable for the loads being lifted, and is in a safe and usable condition, by checking all of the following:
- the equipment is certified and is compliant, within current test dates
- all slings are free from obvious defects
- the moving equipment selected is suitable and has a sufficient SWL/WLL for the application
- the identification number and SWL/WLL, are clearly marked on the equipment selected
- the equipment selected is suitable for the environment of operation
Obtain the weight and centre of gravity of the load to be moved, by using two of the following:
- load documentation
- estimation
- third party
- moving load documentation/moving procedure sheet
- lifting plan
Establish the position of lifting points for three of the following:
- single legged sling
- four legged sling
- lifting beams
- double legged sling
- multi-legged sling
- spreaders
whilst taking into account all of the following:
7. SWL/WLL
8. angles
9. tension
10. sling length
Plan the moving of various types of loads, to include three of the following:
- sheet materials
- sub-assemblies
- fragile components
- sections/bundles of materials
- liquid containers
- corrosive/chemical
- assemblies
- awkward shapes
- machinery
Plan the moving route and location for the final destination of the load, to include three of the following:
- differing elevations
- transferring a load
- move as unit/part assembly
- along same elevation
- turning a load
Identify and set up suitable securing devices, to ensure that the load is moved safely, using three of the following:
- shackles
- holding devices
- protection materials
- bottle screws/stays
- guide ropes
- stiffeners
- chains/wires
- seatings/fasteners
Complete the relevant documentation for recording the moving activity, to include one of the following:
- lifting procedure sheet (competent person ID)
- drawings for the moving operation
- inspection records/defect reports
- risks assessments
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment