Checking rigging and lifting equipment
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out a thorough examination and inspection of rigging and lifting equipment and accessories, in accordance with approved codes of practice and guidance, related to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). You will be required to identify the equipment or accessories to be examined from the company register and to establish the last date on which the equipment was examined, if not an initial examination and to locate any relevant test certificates. You will be expected to examine the specified rigging and lifting equipment and accessories and to identify any defects due to wear and tear or accidental damage. You will be required to take the correct action in respect of reporting such defects and for withdrawing the item from service.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures, in addition to those contained in the regulations and you will be expected to work to instructions, alone or in conjunction with others, taking, full responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of your work.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to applying inspection and examination procedures to rigging and lifting equipment and accessories. You will have a working knowledge of the relevant parts of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. You will also have an understanding of defects, damage, and wear and tear that can occur to equipment and accessories, together with knowledge of company procedures and legislation with regard to recording and reporting the necessary information.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the inspection 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
follow the correct specification for the equipment being checked
use the correct equipment to carry out the check
identify and confirm the inspection checks to be made and acceptance criteria to be used
- carry out all required checks as specified
- identify any defects or variations from the specification
- record the results of the inspection in the appropriate format
- 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:
- health and safety legislation, regulations relating to safe working practices and procedures for lifting equipment (LOLER)
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when carrying out thorough examinations or inspections on lifting equipment and accessories
- how to obtain data and specifications of the equipment and accessories
- measuring equipment that is to be used for examination of the equipment and accessories
- the timescale for examinations and other circumstances when inspections must be carried out
- responsibilities of the person carrying out the examination with regard to reporting defects to employer
- the definition of a `competent' person, in relation to LOLER
- type of damage/defects likely in textile slings, wire ropes, chains used in lifting operations
- type of damage/defects likely to occur in lifting accessories (such as blocks, shackles)
- the importance of a colour coding system with relation to examinations of lifting equipment and accessories
- the importance of the traceability of items of lifting equipment
- evidence of examination when lifting gear is transferred
- the effect of the environment on lifting equipment
- completion of the equipment register, maintenance records and record of colour coding
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have a problem that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Ensure all of the following prior to carrying out the inspection/examination:
- items to be examined/inspected have been identified from the company register
- any test certificates relating to the items have been located
- examinations have been planned to cause minimal disruption
- any measuring/testing equipment has been checked and is within current calibration dates
- correct documentation has been obtained for recording the findings
- a colour coding system for rigging equipment and accessories is implemented
- all necessary people have been informed
Carry out a thorough examination of running gear on one of the following, to include condition and sufficiency of wire or fibre rope and the method of securing:
- derrick
- overhead crane
- tower crane
- accommodation ladder
- lifeboat davits
- jib crane
- other specific equipment
Carry out a thorough examination of textile slings, wire ropes and chains, and identify four of the following common faults:
- cuts in textile
- deformation of chain or stretched links
- textile abraded
- broken wire in wire ropes
- textile stretched
- kinks in wire
- excessive corrosion to chain
- flattening of wire on drum
- cracks in chain
Carry out a thorough examination of three of the following types of lifting equipment/accessories:
- blocks and pulleys
- chain blocks
- bottle screws
- swivels
- eyebolts
- rings
- lifting hooks
Complete all of the following documentation in relation to lifting equipment and accessories:
- report to the employer after thorough examination, including any defects found
- details of colour coding
- details of maintenance and repairs
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