Lifting appliances

• Pages: 63-89

5. Lifting appliances

5.1. General provisions

Maximum safe working load

5.1.1. Adequate steps should be taken to ascertain the maximum

safe working load or loads of every lifting appliance.

5.1.2. The maximum safe working load should be marked:

upon every winch and pulley block used in the hoisting or

lowering of any load;

upon every derrick pole or mast; and

upon every crane.

5.1.3. In the case of a crane fitted with a derricking jib, the safe

working load at various radii of the jib should be marked upon it,

or otherwise clearly indicated.

5.1.4. The maximum safe working load or loads should be

incised or stamped in a legible and durable manner, or marked at

a conspicuous place in some other legible and durable manner.

Installation

5.1.5. Fixed lifting appliances should be installed:

by competent persons;

so that they cannot be displaced by the load, vibration or

other influences;

so that the operator is not exposed to danger from loads, ropes

or drums; and

so that the operator can either see over the zone of operations

or communicate with all loading and unloading points by tele-

phone, signals or other adequate means.

5.1.6. Adequate clearance should be provided between moving

parts and loads of lifting appliances and:

lixed objects such as walls and posts; and

electrical conductors.

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Safety and health in building and civil engineering

5.1.7. Every lifting appliance should be adequately supported.

5.1.8. When lifting appliances are exposed to wind loadings,

they should be given sufficient additional strength, stability and

rigidity to withstand such loadings safely.

5.1.9. No structural alterations or repairs should be made on

any part of a lifting appliance that affects the safety of the appliance

without the permission of the competent person.

Operator's cab or cabin

5.1.10. The operator of every lifting appliance in outdoor

service should be provided with a cab or cabin which should:

be made of fire-resisting material;

have a suitable seat and a foot rest including protection

from vibration;

afford the operator an adequate view of the area of operation;

afford the necessary access to working parts in the cab;

afford the operator adequate protection against the weather;

be adequately ventilated;

be adequately heated in cold weather;

(Ii) be free from the risk of the operator coming into contact with

the heating appliance when operating the controls;

(1) be provided with a suitable fire extinguisher.

Controls

5.1.11. Controls of lifting appliances should be:

so situated that the operator at his stand or seat has ample

room for operation and an unrestricted view, and remains

clear of the load and ropes, and that no load passes over him;

provided, where necessary, with a suitable locking device to

prevent accidental movement or displacement.

5.1.12. Control handles should, as far as possible, move in

the direction of the resultant load movement, or clockwise for

lifting and anti-clockwise for lowering.

5.1.13. The stroke of hand levers should not exceed 60 cm (2 ft).

5.1.14. The stroke of pedals should not exceed 15 cm (6 in).

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