Preparing loads for moving
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to 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 and to check that it is within current certification requirements and is in a safe and usable condition. 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 preparation of the moving activities. You will be required to report any problems with the preparation activities that you cannot resolve, or which are outside your defined authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the accuracy and safety of the work that you undertake.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to the preparation of loads for moving. You will understand 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 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
- complete relevant documentation in line with organisational
procedures
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 the 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 to be used for moving loads (such as cranes, low loaders, fork-lift trucks)
- the lifting equipment accessories 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
- how to establish, with regard to the safe working load (SWL) or working load limit (WLL) the tension in sling legs in relation to the angles
- 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 areas that 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 items 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 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
procedures, for recording the moving activity, to include one of the following:
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
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