شرایط انجام تست تجهیزات مورد استفاده در حمل و بلند کردن بار در حین کار
Thorough examination of lifting equipment
A simple guide for employers from Health and Safety Executive
Introduction
If you are an employer or self-employed person providing lifting equipment for use at work, or if you have control of the use of lifting equipment, you must make sure the lifting equipment is safe. The main requirements for you as a ‘duty holder’ are in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
What is thorough examination?
A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of the lifting equipment by a competent person to detect any defects that are, or might become, dangerous.
How often must lifting equipment and accessories be thoroughly examined?
You must have lifting equipment thoroughly examined:
· Before using it for the first time – unless the equipment has an EC Declaration of Conformity less than one year old and was not assembled on site. If it was assembled on site, it must be examined by a competent person to establish the assembly was correct and safe, eg a platform lift installed in a building;
· After assembly and before use at each location for equipment that requires assembly or installation before use, e.g. tower cranes;
· Regularly in service if the equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration that is likely to result in dangerous situations. If this applies to your equipment you have a choice (see Table 2). You can arrange for the thorough examination to be carried out: -at regular intervals (either at least every 6 months or 12 months depending on whether the lifting equipment is for lifting people or not); or -in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.
Accessories for lifting must be thoroughly examined either at least every 6 months or in accordance with an examination scheme.
Type of equipment |
6 months |
12 months |
Examination scheme |
Accessory for lifting |
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
Equipment used to lift people |
✓ |
|
✓ |
|
All other lifting equipment |
|
✓ |
✓ |
|
Table 2 In-service examination periods
Always have lifting equipment thoroughly examined following ‘exceptional circumstances’, e.g. if it is damaged or fails, is out of use for long periods, or if there is a major change in how it is used which is likely to affect its integrity.
What is an examination scheme?
An examination scheme involves a thorough examination and would include a detailed schedule of checks, appropriate examination techniques and testing requirements, drawn up to suit the operating conditions of a specific item of lifting equipment. This can help ensure that the resources you spend more accurately reflect the level of risk. The examination scheme:
· should identify the parts of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined;
· can cover a number of similar items subject to the same operating conditions, eg all the lifting accessories in a factory which are sufficiently similar in age and subjected to similar amounts of use;
· may often specify periods that are different (longer or shorter) from the ‘periodic’ examination intervals (ie 6 or 12 months), but a longer period must be based on a rigorous assessment of the risks;
· can be drawn up by the user, owner, manufacturer or some other independent person, as long as they have the necessary competence;
should be reviewed regularly, during each thorough examination and after any event that may alter the risks associated with the lifting equipment. You must inform the competent person of any incidents that may affect the risks associated with the use of the equipment.