NOTES FROM (Page 11 -HID Inspection Guide Offshore)

Why is a rigging loft needed?

The design and operation of a rigging loft is to ensure portable lifting equipment and lifting accessories
are:

 stored to reduce the risk of accidental damage and slow down deterioration
 subject to effective controls to prevent unauthorised use of the equipment
 to ensure pre use checks are undertaken prior to use
 removed from service when their condition has deteriorated such that they are no longer in good
repair
 when they are removed from service they are quarantined prior to returning onshore for repair
or disposal

What should a rigging loft be like?

 Rigging loft should be placed in a suitable location which provides adequate degree of weather
protection and allows good access and egress
 Rigging loft should be secured to prevent unauthorised access
 Rigging loft should be well illuminated and provide sufficient space to allow for uncluttered
storage of the equipment
 Rigging loft should have a quarantine bin for the storage of equipment removed from service and
awaiting return onshore
 Rigging loft should have a work bench for the inspection of equipment returned to the rigging
loft after use
 Rigging loft should be under the control of a rigging loft controller who checks equipment before
issue, records each item that has been issued, records who it has been issued to and where it will
be used, records when it is returned and inspects the returned equipment
 A tee card system and a register is ‘best practise’ for this recording process
 Rigging loft should have a one way system for the return of the equipment when the loft
controller is not in attendance, this is to prevent anyone from taking and using the equipment
before it has been checked in and examined controller every week to check that lifting equipment
issued from the loft is at the correct location and that it is in a good condition showing no damage
or deterioration.

What should a rigging loft controller be responsible for?

 Checks equipment before issue

 Records each item that has been issued
 Records who it has been issued to and where it will be used
 Records when it is returned and inspects the returned equipment

For an LEC, there are additional tasks which are taken from the PDO doucments.
Page 12 (HID)

When do you need to do thorough examination?

LOLER Reg 9 requires lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined:

 Before being taken into use for the first time
 At intervals throughout its life
 After exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the equipment has
occurred.

*Before being taken into use for the first time does not apply for lifting equipment that is accompanied by EC
declaration of conformity and was made no more than 12 months before the first use date.

What should be done when an exceptional circumstance have happened that can potentially affect
the integrity of the lifting equipment?

In such cases, the loft controller should inform (competent person) about such a situation for them to
assess if a thorough examination is required and if yes to what extent? For e.g. if an equipment has been
subjected to a load more than its rated capacity.

Why is color coding important?

So that everyone can know that a lifting equipment has been thorough examined and likely to be safe to
use.

Is Proof load testing mandatory?

As per LOLER, proof load testing is not mandatory for NEW EQUIPMENT.

A test load (mass or force) applied to an item of lifting equipment/accessory to prove its integrity. Proof
load tests can be carried out to various standards, but results must be recorded on a Test certificate.

Note: Extent of thorough examination is upto the discretion and judgement of the competent person.

Lifting accessories will generally not require an inspection as they receive a thorough examination
and are subjected to pre use checks. These pre use checks will be undertaken by the user however in
practise the rigging loft controller will also undertake an inspection when the equipment is returned to
the rigging loft. Lifting machinery such as winches, chain hoists and lever hoists will require inspections.
The rigging loft controller will undertake inspections and function tests of chain hoists and lever
hoists when they are returned to the rigging loft.

Notes from PDO 2275

Lifting Engineer: Someone from PDO who is experienced and can offer technical advise.
Lifting Inspector/Surveyor: Third party person (competent person) who can do thorough examination.

Lifting Equipment Controller – Person officially appointed by operations manager and who controls
lifting equipment at a particular location

Lifting Equipment Asset Custodian - Ensure all items of lifting equipment are maintained and certified
in accordance with this specification.
Ensuring that the lifting equipment is cleaned prior to the inspection, test weights are available and after
satisfactory results of the inspection the lifting equipment is marked/color coded.

What all needs to be present for a lifting accessory (new)?

Before being put in service, the accessory needs to be certified by a lifting inspector (third party)

During this inspection, the 1test certificates and certificate of conformity issued by the
manufacturer/authorized representative shall be reviewed and verified.

2
EC and 3COC of the equipment should be retained for the lift of the equipment.

In case, the test certificate is not present, the new equipment will be rejected.

1
Test Certificate of Proof Load is the certificate of a proof load test, which would normally be carried out
at the completion of manufacture and be supplied with the equipment. A new Test Certificate of proof
load will require to be issued if the equipment is subject to repair or modification of any load bearing
structure, or if the independent lifting engineer deems it is necessary to ensure continuing integrity.

2
A document in which the manufacturer certifies that the products supplied comply with the
requirements of the purchase order, without mentioning of any test results.

3
The Declaration of Conformity is a special document which the manufacturer signs to say that the
product meets all of the requirements of the applicable directives. It's a legal document which someone
has to sign to say that the product meets the requirements of the directive(s) which apply to it.

Marking of Lifting Accessories

All lifting accessories shall have as a minimum a unique ID number and their safe working load (SWL).
Marking type and methodology shall be as per manufacture recommendation.

Repairs
Any loose lifting equipment such as chain block, lever hoist, etc. shall be repaired only as per
manufacturer recommendation followed by proof load test before being reinstated into service.
Note: No repairs are allowed for slings, shackles, rings & links or eyebolt

What are rejection criteria for Lifting accessories?

Colour Coding

 - The colour code scheme applicable to lifting accessories only. It indicates to the user that a
thorough examination has been carried out and certified.
 - Before inspection, the equipment shall be properly cleaned and free from previous colour
code.
 - Upon satisfactory results of the thorough examination, the Colour Code shall be marked on
every piece of lifting accessories.
 - If inspection results are unsatisfactory the equipment shall be coloured red and quarantined.
 - If equipment is repairable, it shall to be coloured black and locked away to prevent
unintended use.
 - If the equipment cannot be repaired it shall be disposed.
 - A new colour shall be introduced every six months. The two months overlap is to ensure lifting
accessories is available for use at all times. There are four colours in the sequence and the cycle
is repeated every 2 years (see figure 14.1).
 - Company practice is to have all available lifting accessories/appliances examined and colour
coded twice per year in February/March and August/September.
 - Any certified lifting accessories that do not have a visible colour band shall be re colour by
competent person.
 - If the colour is out of date, equipment shall not be used. It shall be returned to the rigging
store and quarantined. Such equipment shall not be re-issued or used until after satisfactory
thorough examination by a lifting equipment Inspector.
 - Preparation prior to inspection (collecting certificates/cleaning etc.) and marking of the color
codes after satisfactory results of the inspection shall be the responsibility of the asset
custodian or his nominee and shall be witnessed by the lifting equipment Inspector.
 - The validity of lifting accessories inspection is 6 months or end date of the colour code
whichever comes first.

Figure 14.1 – Lifting Gear Color Code Biannual cycle

All main work sites shall have a visible Colour Code Identity Board with the current colour codes
displayed.
The board shall display both valid colors during “change out period” and the single valid color at other
times.
Notes:
1. Webbing slings shall not be colour coded with enamel or spray paint directly. Colour code tags or
plastic cable ties shall be used.
2. Other lifting accessories shall be colour coded at appropriately place