Nebosh IGC2 Part 3

Element 3

Manual and Mechanical Handling – Hazards and Control

©   CHSS Ltd 2006 wpc/SJ/ae/IGC2 Element 3 Manual and Mechanical Handling

Page 1 of 38 Sales Ref: sc/639/v3



Contents Page No Introduction

5

Manual Handling Injuries

5

Anatomy of the Back

6

Control Strategy

7

Assessment of Manual Manual Handling Handling Risk

8

Level of Detail

11

Who Should Assess

11

Consulting Employees

12

Recording Assessments

12

Factors to Risk Assess

13

Risk Reduction

14

Information for Workers

16

Training

16

Duties of Employees

17

Review

18

Mechanical Handling Introduction Conveyors Types of Conveyors Cranes

19 19 20 20 23

Types of Crane

23

Mobile Cranes

24

Tower Cranes

25

Gantry Cranes

26

Overhead Gantry Cranes

27

Precautions

28

Hoists

31 Types of Hoist

Lifting Accessories

31 33

Types of Lifting Accessory

33

Lifting Equipment

34

Lifting Operations

35

References


36




Introduction Manual handling injuries cause individual suffering and are costly to organisations in terms of disruption and lost output. output. More than a quarter of the reported workplace workplace accidents each year year are associated with manual handling. The vast majority of such handling accidents result in over 3-day injuries, most commonly a sprain or strain, often of the back. Many musculo-skeletal musculo-skeletal problems, such as muscle strains strains are the result of the cumulative effects of manual handling. Manual handling is the: ‘Transporting or supporting of loads by hand or bodily force’. This includes lifting, lowering, pulling, pushing and carrying of: 

inanimate objects, e.g. bags, parcels, boxes; and



live objects, e.g. people, animals.

Manual Handling Injuries Manual handling injuries can be classified as follows: 





External injuries: cuts, bruises, abrasions and crush injuries to fingers, hands, forearms, ankles and feet. Internal injuries: muscle and ligament strains and tears, hernias, knee, ankle and shoulder injuries. Cumulative back injuries: slipped disc (prolapsed inter vertebral disc).

Additional injuries injuries relate to the contents contents of the load carried, carried, e.g. corrosive corrosive chemicals, and are discussed in other Elements.



Figure 1: Manual Handling Injuries ( reported to UK Enforcing Authority, 1998)

Finger 15% Back 47% Lower Limb 5% Upper Limb 11% Hand 6%

Other 16%

Figure 1 shows that back injuries cause the most significant loss of working time so particular attention should be paid to preventing back injuries. injuries.

Anatomy of the Back Back The human spine is a flexible column comprising 24 bones called called vertebrae. vertebrae. These bones are divided into three areas: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.

Figure 2: Anatomy of the Spine

This structure of bones provides support and structure to the human body. Between each pair of vertebrae is a tough fleshy pad of tissue called an intervertebral disc. The discs have a fibrous outer layer and a fluid centre. The discs act act as shock absorbers, absorbers, keeping the vertebrae apart and allowing the spine to be flexible. f lexible. If the discs are continually compressed with the weight of loads, especially whilst bending or twisting, a prolapse prolapse can occur. The fluid centre centre ‘bulges’ through the fibrous outer and becomes misshapen or damaged. This distortion will cause the disc to press against the nerves, which gives rise to back pain.



Figure 3: Intervertebral Discs

A prolapse can occur here

Disc

Vertebra Activities likely to put people at risk include: 

work involving handling excessive loads;



prolonged lifting or supporting supporting of loads in fixed positions;





repetitive handling whilst bending, stooping or reaching, particularly for lengthy periods of time; and twisting the trunk or neck during the task.

Control Strategy There is now international acceptance of both the scale of the manual handling problem and methods of prevention. Manual handling training alone has not been successful in reducing the risk. Guidance - a clear hierarchy of measures is established: 







avoid hazardous manual handling where there is a risk of occupational injury, so far as is reasonably practicable, i.e. by eliminating the need to lift loads by automation or mechanisation, e.g. placing products on pallets which can then be lifted with fork-lift trucks; assess the assess the risk of any hazardous manual handling tasks that cannot be avoided, so far as is reasonably practicable; practicable; reduce the risk of injury, injury, so far f ar as is reasonably practicable, by implementing control measures by designing the task to meet the needs of the worker, e.g. eliminating the need to twist or stoop or reach, breaking the load into smaller, weights, etc.; and review the review the assessment. assessment.



Assessment of Manual Manual Handling Handling Risk Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid hazardous manual handling operations at work, a detailed risk assessment should be undertaken. An ergonomic approach approach is taken. taken. Consider a range range of relevant relevant factors including including the following: 

Load;



Individual capability;



Task; and



Environment.

(LITE) An individual’s individual’s state of health, fitness and and strength can significantly significantly affect a person’s person’s ability to safely carry out certain manual handling tasks. Physical capacity also varies with age, typically increasing until the early 20’s and gradually declining from the mid 40’s. Pre-employment Pre-employm ent medical screening will highlight any existing ill-health. A detailed assessment assessment of every manual manual handling handling operation could be lengthy, time consuming, and in many cases a wasted effort, e.g. lifting a glass of cold water involves no risk. Therefore a ‘risk assessment assessment guideline filter’ can be used to screen out lifting operations with insignificant risk. The guideline figures take into account: 

the weight to be lifted between foot to head level;



whether the individual is male or female;



whether the arms have to be extended to hold the load;



how many lifting operations there are per hour;



whether the individual individual is seated;



how far the load is to be carried;



whether twisting is involved; and



whether the load is to be pushed or pulled.



Figure 4: Guideline Figures Which Trigger Manual Handling Assessment

The guideline filters are not weight limits. limits. They may be exceeded where where a more detailed assessment shows it is safe to do so. However, normally the guideline figures should not be exceeded by more than a factor of 2. The guidelines are based on no more than 30 operations an hour with carrying distance of 10 metres. Each box in the diagram contains a guideline weight limit for lifting and lowering in that zone. The diagram enables enables the assessor to take into account the vertical vertical and horizontal position of the hands as they move the load, the height and the reach of the individual undertaking the task.

Twisting and Stooping The combination of lifting and twisting, or lifting and stooping, are particularly stressful on the back. Therefore, where a manual manual handling task involves involves twisting and stooping, the guideline figures for lifting and lowering should be reduced as shown in Table 1.



If person handling the load twists / stoops through Twisting

Guideline figures given in Figure 4 should be reduced by

o

10%

o

15%

o

20%

o

25%

o

35%

o

50%

45 60 90

Stooping

45 60 90

Table 1: Correction Factors for Stooping and Tw isting

Pushing and Pulling Guideline figures for pushing and pulling, whether the load is slid, rolled or supported on wheels are as follows:

Pushing / pulling motion

Equivalent weight

Force

Starting or stopping a load

20 kg

About 200 Newtons*

Keeping the load in motion

10 kg

About 100 Newtons

The above figures assume pulling or pushing over a distance of no more than 20m

* Newton is a unit of force

Table 2: Guidelines for Pushing / Pulling The pushing and pulling forces can be measured using a spring balance weighing scale. This can be attached to the load (usually with a hook) and pulled.



Figure 5: Spring Balance

Level of Detail It will be necessary to consider what tasks are undertaken to identify those which are high risk, exceeding the guidelines filters and t herefore need to be assessed first. It is neither practicable nor necessary to conduct an individual assessment of every single movement or operation. Many tasks will be similar and frequently repeated. In these cases a generic risk assessment is likely to be acceptable. In the case of delivery operations for example, the guidance recommends listing the various types of tasks, loads and working environment concerned, and then to propose a review of a selection of them. The assessment should identify the problems likely to arise during the kind of operations that can be foreseen and the measures necessary to deal with them. On a day-to-day basis supervisors supervisors may have to make further specific judgements judgements when dealing with manual handling tasks. For example, in a warehouse dealing with sacks of sand, a decision may have to be made about how t o lift broken sacks to prevent spillage and injury.

Who Should Assess? The assessment should ideally be carried out by someone within the organisation who has a thorough practical understanding of the manual handling taking place. In complex or high risk cases, a team approach, possibly including a safety professional, an industrial engineer, a supervisor and an occupational health nurse is recommended.



Areas of knowledge knowledge required are: are: 

legal requirements; requirements;



the nature of the handling operation;



a basic understanding understandi ng of human capabilities; capabilitie s;



identification of high risk activities; and



practical steps to reduce risk.

Consulting Employees Employees Employees, health and safety representatives, and safety committees should be encouraged to play a positive part in the assessment process. Consulting the employees and using their own experience of the type of work performed will often provide a valuable source of concerns, comments and suggestions. suggestions.

Recording Assessments The significant findings of the assessment should be recorded (unless the manual handling operations are straightforward, low risk, short duration or could easily be repeated and explained at any time). The record should should be kept for as long as it remains relevant.

The following template will help assessors to f ocus on these areas.



Factors to Risk Assess Questions to consider

Level of risk Yes

Low

Med

Possible remedial action: action: High

Load Load - is it: 

Heavy?



Bulky / unwieldy?



Difficult to grasp?



Unstable / unpredictable?



Intrinsically harmful (e.g. sharp / hot?)

Individual Capability Capability - does the job:  

 

Require unusual capability? Hazard those with a health problem? Hazard those who are pregnant? Require special information / training?

Task – Task – does it involve: 

Holding loads away from trunk?

Twisting?



Stooping?



Reaching upwards?



Large vertical movement?



Long carrying distances?



Strenuous pushing or pulling?



Unpredictable movement of loads?



Repetitive handling?



Insufficient rest or recovery?



A work rate imposed by a process?



Environment Environment - are there: 

Constraints on posture?



Poor floors?



Variations in levels?



Hot / cold / humid conditions?



Strong air movements?



Poor lighting conditions?

Other factors: 



Is movement or posture hindered by clothing? or Personal protective equipment?

Table 3: Simple Manual Handling Risk Assessment Assessment ©   CHSS Ltd 2006 wpc/SJ/ae/IGC2 Element 3 Manual and Mechanical Handling


Risk Reduction If it is not possible to eliminate manual handling tasks which involve a risk of injury, the risk assessment should result in recommendations recommendations to reduce the risk of injury.

Figure 6: Vacuum Lift

Mechanical Assistance Assistance Wherever possible manual handling should be replaced or reduced by the use of mechanical handling aids.

Load To reduce the risk of the t he load: 









reduce the weight (this will increase the frequency of handling, but will reduce the stress placed on the body by each lift); provide handles, etc. where the size, surface texture, or nature of a load makes it difficult to grasp; ensure loads in packages cannot move unexpectedly whilst being handled; avoid sharp corners, jagged edges, rough surfaces, hot or extremely cold surfaces; and provide information on the load, e.g. centre of gravity and weight. Individual

The following should be considered: 

selection of employees for the task;



self pacing; and



PPE, e.g. gloves to protect against hot, cold or sharp surfaces.

Task Where mechanical assistance cannot be provided there may be scope for changes to the layout of the task t o reduce the risk of injury, e.g. by improving improving the flow of of materials or products. products. An ergonomic approach to reduce the risk of the task includes: 

avoid lifting heavy loads while seated;





safe system of work;



job rotation; team handling;



lift the load from waist height;



store lighter or less frequently used items above or below waist height;



change the layout to avoid bending, twisting, twisting , reaching and travel distances;



ensure workbenches workbenches are of uniform height;



avoid static postures; and



provide voluntary rest breaks to change the activity.



Figure 7: Task Layout Change to Avoid Over Bending

Before

After

Environment To reduce the risk from environmental factors: 



provide adequate space and headroom; maintain good housekeeping standards to keep routes clear of spillages or obstacles, etc.;



provide adequate lighting;



provide and use level routes or use gentle slopes, etc.;



do not handle externally in poor, high wind, conditions; and





ensure a comfortable working environment, e.g. heating, ventilation, lighting, etc., to reduce the risks of muscle sprains and strains.

Information for Employees Where tasks involve a risk of injury, employees should be provided with general information about the risks, precautions, safe systems of work and precise information on the: 

weight of each load; and



heaviest side of any load whose centre of gravity is not positioned centrally.

Training Training alone is not effective to control risk. However, training programmes should include the following: 

how to recognise potentially hazardous loads;



how to deal with unfamiliar loads;



the proper use of handling aids;



the proper use of personal protective equipment, e.g. gloves, safety footwear, etc.;



features of the working environment environment that contribute to safe manual handling; handling;



the importance of good housekeeping, housekeeping, e.g. keeping paths clear;



the factors affecting individual individual capacity; and



good handling techniques, e.g. kinetic handling.

Kinetic Handling Kinetic handling is a good technique t echnique for lifting and moving loads. Although good manual handling handling technique is is no substitute for other other risk-reduction steps it forms a valuable addition to other risk reduction methods. To be successful, good handling technique requires training and practice. The content of training in good handling handling technique should should be tailored to particular tasks or situations.

Kinetic Handling Technique ©   CHSS Ltd 2006 wpc/SJ/ae/IGC2 Element 3 Manual and Mechanical Handling


1.

assess the load; load;

2.

ensure that the travel route is clear and well lit;

3.

get as close to the load as load as possible;

4.

get a secure grip (wear grip (wear gloves if necessary);

5.

position feet apart, one foot flat to the floor at the side of the load, the other foot behind, with heel raised;

6.

keep the back straight - maintain the natural spinal curve by lifting the head; head;

7.

bend the knees - lift using lift using the thigh muscles;

8.

keep the load close to the body – heaviest side to the trunk, avoid jerking, jerking, make a smooth movement;

9.

move the feet - avoid twisting at twisting at the waist; and

10.

put down, then adjust – adjust – slide to desired position.

Duties of Employees Employees should: 

follow safe systems of work provided; provided;



use mechanical aids provided properly; and



follow manual handling training provided.



Review Manual handling assessments should be made in the following circumstances: 

an accident or chronic ill-health, e.g. back strain, occurs;



where there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid;





where there has been a significant significa nt change in the manual handling task to which it relates; and periodically.

Any changes required required by the review review should be be implemented.



Mechanical Handling Introduction Lifting equipment is used extensively in organisations, from supermarkets to quarries. Fatalities and damage to buildings, etc. occur when lifting equipment fails due to incorrect erection, damage, lack of maintenance and poor planning. Lifting equipment includes: 1.

conveyors;

2.

cranes; and

3.

hoists.



Conveyors Types of Conveyor Conveyors are found in many workplaces from supermarket checkouts, airports and postal rooms to car assembly plants, quarries and construction sites. There are three basic types of conveyor extensively used in organisations: belt, screw and roller. Figure 8: Types of Conveyors

Belt conveyor

Belt Conveyor

Roller Conveyor

Roller Conveyor


Screw Conveyor

Screw Conveyor


Hazards and Precautions Conveyors are used to transport a wide range of materials and therefore hazards are associated with the machinery itself, non-machinery hazards and positional hazards.

Hazards

Precautions

Mechanical hazards Trapping in drive mechanisms.

Fixed guards at motor driven rollers and tail pulley, avoiding loose clothing. Figure 9: Tail Pulley Guard

Traps, nips or drawing in between moving and fixed parts.

‘Pop out’ rollers, trip devices, ‘nip’ guards particularly particularly of the chains, drive chains and transfer points. Figure 10: Pop Out Roller

Figure 11: Transfer Point Guard

Figure 12: Nip Guards Between Rollers

Max. clearance 5mm (both sides)



Hazards

Precautions

Sharp edges – friction burns, cuts, abrasions

Edge belt protection, restricted access, elimination of sharp edges Positional hazards

Items jamming in conveyors.

Adequate design design to allow for flow of of material, guarding to prevent jams.

Crushing and impact from falling objects.

Edge guards, barriers around the conveyor to prevent access.

Personnel riding or crossing conveyors.

Bridges over the conveyor, complete enclosure if possible.

Impact against overhead systems.

Bump caps, restricted access, warning signs / tape, cushioning or padding. Non-mechanical hazards

Noise from conveyor mechanisms.

Enclosing the conveyor mechanisms, hearing protection.

Manual handling of materials onto conveyors.

Mechanical Mechanical aids, ensuring conveyor is at waist height.

Electrical hazards from power supply.

Earth bonding, earth leakage breakers, inspection and maintenance of the electrical system.

General precautions applying to all the above are: Maintenance: strict maintenance procedures should be in place to isolate and lock off conveyors when any sort of maintenance is carried out. Emergency stop devices: should be fitted at either end and at intervals along the length of long conveyors.

Table 4: Conveyor Hazards and Precautions



Cranes Types of Crane Cranes are used widely to move heavy equipment and materials within and outside workplaces and construction construction sites. There are four main types of crane in regular regular use: 1.

mobile cranes;

2.

tower cranes;

3.

gantry cranes; and

4.

overhead cranes.

Hazards Cranes may fail for a number of reasons, e.g. collapse, collapse, overturn, breakage of lifting wire: 

unsuitable support or inadequate inadequate base for crane;



lack of maintenance; maintenance ; and



overloading.

Hazards associated with the operation of cranes include: 

contact, e.g. overhead electricity cables, other buildings, etc.;



incorrect positioning positioning of crane, e.g. on soft ground, too far away from load;



improper methods of use of crane, e.g. use in high winds;



incorrect signals by the signaller (banksman);



personnel working at or near the track of an overhead travelling crane;



limitations of height or reach on site;



ground bearing capacities, position of basements, underground underground services, weather conditions, etc.;



use and storage of fuel storage facilities; and



contact with persons below the lifting area.

In addition, the design of different types of crane may create specific hazards. ©   CHSS Ltd 2006 wpc/SJ/ae/IGC2 Element 3 Manual and Mechanical Handling


1.

Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes are fitted with wheels for road use or crawler tracks, e.g. large construction sites. sites. They are very very mobile and and suitable suitable for small lifts. lifts. They are useful useful around construction sites and for occasional use. Mobile road (or rubber wheeled) cranes are the most common type of crane used. Figure 13: Example Mobile Cranes

Telescopic Jib

Lattice Jib

These cranes normally normally have outriggers fitted. They extend from the chassis chassis of the crane and are used to support the weight of both the crane and the load. The outriggers outrigger s can increase the capacity of the crane, but they also increase its size. The outriggers should be on firm foundations f oundations such as solid timber packing, steel plates or specially cast concrete pads.

Hazards The main causes of failure associated with this type of crane are: 







overturning, overturning, e.g. working on uneven and sloping ground, working without the outriggers deployed, soft ground leading to outriggers sinking; overloading, overloading, e.g. driving with a suspended load, going down a slope with the load raised and exceeding the load radius; striking objects and people, people, e.g. hitting overhead including including power lines, impact with buildings and other structures; and fall of load.



Figure 14: Overturned Mobile Cranes

Figure 15: Mobile Crane Load Radii

Level ground: correct ground: correct load radius

2.

Uphill position: decrease position: decrease in the load radius

Downhill position: increase in the load radius

Tower Cranes

Tower cranes consist of a tall, slender lattice mast with a jib unit at the top. They are used for long duration work, e.g. construction sites, where large areas of access are required to be covered. covered. They are normally normally fixed to one location but can be mounted on rails.

Figure 16: Example Tower Crane

Hazards Hazards associated with the use of tower cranes include: 

overturning, overturning, e.g. due to incorrect construction, swinging or unstable loads, operating outside the safe working radius;





overloading, overloading, e.g. collapse or bending of jib due to overloading or wear; high wind conditions;



striking objects and people, people, e.g. impaired operator vision of the load; and



fall of persons and load. load.

3.

Gantry Cranes

Gantry cranes consist of a framework of two vertical supports connected with a horizontal beam or lattice lattice along which a trolley moves. moves. To allow a gantry crane to move backwards and forwards the bases of the uprights have wheels fitted which run on railway tracks. The crane can cover the full length length of the gantry rails and the width between. They provide great flexibility flexibility within the area. Some are fitted with with rubber wheels which can steer and drive the gantry. These are used extensively for handling freight containers. Figure 17: Example Gantry Cranes

Hazards Hazards associated with gantry cranes include: 

overturning; overturning;



overloading; overloading;





striking objects and people, people, e.g. contact with crane wheels overhead, movement of loads in the vicinity of other workers; and fall of persons and load.



Figure 18: Overturned Gantry Crane

4.

Overhead Gantry Cranes

Overhead cranes are used within buildings. Horizontal rails are attached to the structural struct ural steel framework of the building or on columns outside at a high level. They are common in engineering works and plants where repeated lifting is required and access for conventional cranes is difficult (e.g. in power stations, to lift out turbines for maintenance). maintenance). Over head gantry cranes cranes take power from fixed electrical electrical busbars along the horizontal support rails.

Figure 19: Example Overhead Gantry Crane



Hazards Hazards associated with these types of crane include: 



overloading; overloading; striking objects and people, people, e.g. restricted vision of load and travel, movement of loads in the vicinity of other workers



electric shock to shock to maintenance staff from f rom exposed electrified rails (busbars);



unauthorised use by use by untrained personnel;



lack of maintenance; and



fall of load / persons

Precautions Precautions for all four types of crane include:

Suitability of the Crane Consideration Consideration will need to be given to the following factors when deciding which crane is most suitable for the planned lift: 

weight of the load and the safe working load (SWL) of the crane;



the distance the load is away from the crane;



any wind loading that may occur;



size, shape and stability of the load;



distance to be moved;









stability or strength of the surface upon which it is going to be erected; condition of a crane, e.g. wear; condition of ground, e.g. on a slope, obstacles in path, etc.; and whether it is a one-off or repeated lift.



Procedure for Safe Lifting Prior to carrying out a lift it is necessary to assess the risks including materials, equipment, environment and people, and develop and implement a safe lifting plan: 







use competent operators and ensure adequate training to; plan the lift, drive, signal (banksman) and sling; ensure good communication, communicat ion, visibility, and the use of standard hand signals or radii; inform personnel about lift and keep area clear of other persons; all personnel working with or near lifting equipment should wear safety helmets;



ensure the correct lifting accessories is used with the safe working load;



ensure the lifting accessories accessories are free from defect;



ensure the weather conditions do not pose a risk, e.g. high winds, ice;



secure the load, inspect slings for damage;



ensure path is free of obstacles;



ensure the load is lifted vertically;









perform each part of the operation (lifting / slewing / moving and lowering) at a rate that maintains proper control; during the lift ensure the load is: secure, balanced and controlled. Attach tag lines where necessary; avoid overhead power lines; and ensure a safe position for landing, release the tension and then release the lifting tackle.

Other Considerations for Safe Lifting: 









pre-use inspections; all lifting equipment should undergo thorough examination and test at regular intervals; servicing, maintenance, testing, thorough examinations, examinations, etc. should be arranged as required before the crane is used on site; ensure that overhead travelling cranes do not approach within 6m of persons working at or near the wheel track; seek permission to conduct lifts over adjacent adjacent properties;









use purpose-made, purpose-made, tested stands to inspect the base of heavy loads; if any lift, hoist, crane or excavator collapses or overturns on site or any load bearing part fails, it should be thoroughly investigated and, if local legislation requires, reported to the Enforcing Authorities as a dangerous occurrenc occurrence; e; and cranes should be marked with their safe working load (SWL).



Hoists Types of Hoist Hoists vary from simple chain hoists used to lift equipment, to vertical construction hoists, with cages capable of carrying people and equipment, to hoists designed to lift people, e.g. in hospital. Figure 20: Example Hoists

Chain Hoist

Goods Hoist

Hazards General hazards include: 

failure of the lifting chains / ropes;



being struck by moving parts of the hoist; and



being hit by materials falling from the platform / cage.

Hazards specific to vertical goods hoists include: 





falling down the hoist way from a landing level, e.g. a scaffold platform or from a hoist cage; falling down the hoist way with the cage due to failure of the lifting rope / chains or operator error; and being struck by landing levels or parts of the enclosure while trying to ride on a goods only hoist.



Precautions General precautions include: 

controls that can be operated from only one position, e.g. ground level;



train workers to use the hoist;





clear visibility of landings or clear signals from other workers during loading or unloading operations; secure the wheels of wheelbarrows wheelbarrows with chocks (blocks placed in front of wheels) to prevent them moving during the lift;



not overfilling wheelbarrows, wheelbarrows, etc. with materials;



not carrying loose materials such as bricks on an open platform hoist;



not allowing allowing passengers to ride on a goods hoist;



clearly indicating the safe working load and not exceeding it; and



ensuring the hoist is inspected and thoroughly examined.

Precautions specific to vertical goods hoists with cages include: 

secure the perimeter fence at ground level with gates; and



secure the enclosures with gates at other landing / scaffold platform levels.



Lifting Accessories Types of Lifting Accessory Work equipment for attaching loads to machinery for lifting are often called lifting accessories or ‘tackle’. ‘tackle’. It includes any equipment equipment used to connect a load to lifting equipment such as: 

lifting beams;



pulley blocks;



chain slings;



wire rope slings;



textile slings;

hooks;



rings;



shackles; and



eye bolts.



Hazards The main hazards associated with lifting accessories are: 





overloading / used above the safe working load; incorrect use, e.g. too wide an angle between legs of sling or use of wrong eye bolt at an angle; defects:





textile slings – damaged, cut, abraded or stretched; chains – deformed, cracked or stretched links; and broken wires or kinks;

insecure attachment of load; damage to sling, ropes, etc., e.g. caused by lack of packing to sharp corners of load;



incorrect slinging method; and



failure to examine and inspect pre-use.



Precautions The following precautions apply to lifting accessories: 









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all lifting accessories accessories should be certificated before use; all accessories for lifting should be thoroughly examined by a competent person at specified intervals and visually inspected before use or at intervals laid down in an examination scheme (during use); ‘dynamo’ type eye bolts (those with a narrow waist which are suitable only for vertical forces) should not be used with multiple leg type slings (non-vertical forces); repairs to lifting tackle should not be carried out on site. A test certificate should be obtained for any repaired item of lifting tackle; slings and other lifting accessories accessories should not be used for operations for which they were not intended, e.g. towing, and should not be altered or adapted by unsafe methods, i.e. knots, bolts through links, etc.; sufficient materials for packaging between sling and load should be provided; training should be provided in safe slinging methods, signals, etc. for operatives carrying out this work;

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the safe working load (SWL) should be clearly marked on the accessory;

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overrun devices should be fitted to tracks, rope pulleys, etc.; and

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all lifting accessories should be secured and left in a safe condition at the end of each working period.

Lifting Equipment Equipment Employers should ensure that all lifting equipment is: 

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sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed proposed use. Similarly, the anchorage, load and anything attached (e.g. timber pallets, lifting points) should be suitable; thoroughly examined by a competent person:

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after installation and before being put into service for the first time; after assembly and before being put into service at a new site or in a new location; at least every 12 months (6 months when used for lifting persons, and lifting accessories); or in accordance with an examination scheme; and each time that exceptional circumstances, which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the lifting equipment, have occurred;



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inspected by a competent person at suitable intervals between thorough examinations; marked accordingly where it is used for lifting people and is safe for such a purpose, e.g. all necessary precautions have been taken to eliminate or reduce any risk; and visibly marked, with any appropriate information to be taken into account for its safe use, e.g. safe working working loads. Accessories, Accessories, e.g. slings, clamps, clamps, etc. should be similarly marked.

Following a thorough examination or inspection of any lifting equipment, a report is submitted by the competent person to the employer to take the appropriate action.

Lifting Operations Employers should ensure that before any lifting operations are considered, the following precautions are undertaken: 

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lifting operations are planned, supervised and carried out carried out in a safe manner by people who are competent; lifting equipment is positioned or installed to prevent the risk of injury, e.g. from the equipment or the t he load falling or striking people; loads are not carried or suspended over areas occupied by persons. W here this is not practicable a safe system of work should be established to minimise the risks to persons who may need to be below the load; where it is necessary to leave loads suspended, access to the danger zone is prevented, ensuring that the load has been secured properly; if the operator of lifting equipment equipment cannot observe the full path of the load, either directly or by means of auxiliary devices, the employer should ensure that a responsible person has appropriate means of communication to guide the operator.

The person planning the lifting operation should have adequate practical and theoretical theoretic al knowledge and experience of planning lifting operations. The plan should address the risks identified by a risk assessment and identify the resources required, the procedures, and the responsibilities so that the operation is carried out safely.



References ISO

2003

ISO 12100-1: Safety of machinery, basic concepts, general principles for design, basic terminology and methodology.

ISO

2003

ISO 12100-2: Safety of machinery, basic concepts, general principles for design, t echnical principals.

HSE

1998

L23: Manual Handling (Guidance).

HSE

1998

L113: Safe Use of Work Equipment (ACoP).



Notes



Notes



Nebosh IGC2 Part 3

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