21329 PROCEDURE – SAFE USE OF LIFTING

EQUIPMENT

Version: 4 Last Updated: 21/01/09 Review Date: 21/01/12

ECHR Potential Equality Impact Assessment: Low

1. About This Procedure

1.1. This procedure explains to managers and staff responsible for lifting
equipment the legal requirements for its safe use.

2. Risk Assessments/Health and Safety Considerations

2.1. Under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 and the Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, the Force has a duty
to ensure that all lifting equipment is maintained, inspected and
tested to ensure it is safe for use.

3. Procedure

3.1. Definitions

3.1.1. Lifting equipment can be all manner of different pieces of

equipment from the lifting device itself to associated
equipment such as the following:

a) Passenger lifts

b) Rope and pulley systems

c) Cranes

d) Engine hoists

e) Vehicle tail lifts

f) Front end loader on a tractor

g) Vehicle hoists

h) Cradles

3.2. However, equipment which just raises something a short distance

to clear the ground so it can be moved, such as a pallet truck or
tractor three point linkage is not regarded as lifting equipment.
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3.3. It must be ensured that all lifting equipment is suitable for the
purposes for which it is to be used. Using a forklift to lift people is
not a suitable purpose unless you use specially designed
attachments.

3.4. Effects Of High Wind On Lifting Equipment

3.4.1. Where lifting equipment such as cranes or hoists, or its load

could be affected by high winds, equipment must be fitted
with devices to detect the wind strength and warn the
operator that it is getting close to exceeding the safe
operating conditions for the equipment. Where lifting
equipment is effected by the wind, the maximum wind speed
it can operate in should be established and weather forecasts
checked before using the equipment.

3.5. Mobile Lifting Equipment

3.5.1. Only staff and contractors who hold certificates of

competence for the equipment being used are permitted to
operate mobile lifting equipment.

3.5.2. It must be ensured that mobile lifting equipment fitted with

pneumatic tyres should not be used to lift loads unless the
tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.

3.6. Prevention Of Overload Or Over-turning

3.6.1. Lifting equipment should be fitted with limiters which have

visual and audible warnings to indicate the likelihood of the
equipment over-turning. It should also be fitted with
overloading limiters. Where timber pallets are to support or
carry a load as part of a lift they must be of adequate
strength. Any eye bolts, strops, connectors or cables should
also be of adequate strength for the load being lifted and
have their weight stamped on them. In certain circumstances
such as welded joints onto a load to allow lifting to take
place, you will need to arrange a strength test before
carrying out the lift.

3.7. Equipment Used To Lift People

3.7.1. It must be ensured that lifting equipment used to lift people

cannot crush or cause people to be struck or fall from the
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EQUIPMENT

equipment. If a person is likely to be trapped in the

equipment, e.g. a lift, that they can be freed and are not
exposed to danger.

3.7.2. People must never be lifted on equipment which has

not been designed to lift people, unless it is fitted with
specially designed equipment, such as fork lift trucks,
telescopic handlers and cranes.

3.7.3. Any door or gate which is required to gain access to a lift car
should open in such a way as to prevent persons falling from
the lift car. Any such doors should be fitted with a device to
prevent users being crushed by the doors. The doors must be
interlocked so that they remain closed if the car stops
between floors. The doors should be of solid construction.

3.7.4. Where people are required to work from an open carrier such
as a mobile elevated working platform, the platform must be
suitable guarded around its edge with handrails to 2m with
intermediate rails and toe boards. Operators must wear a full
body harness with fall arrestor which must be attached to the
platform.

3.7.5. Lift cars must have devices to prevent free fall which should
be independent of the means of suspension for the car.
Suitable gates or doors must be provided to prevent access
to the lift shaft which must have interlocks to prevent them
being opened when there is no lift car at the landing. Lift
motor rooms should be kept locked at all times and access
only given to trained and authorised people. There must be a
procedure in place to deal with people trapped in a lift car.
This should include means of summoning help or raising an
alarm from the lift car and staff trained to hand wind the lift
to the next floor to enable trapped people to get out. Notices
should be placed on each level informing people not to use
the lift in the event of fire.

3.7.6. Those who are required to operate mobile work platforms

must be trained and competent to do so and must be
wearing a full body harness. This must be secured to the
cage with a fall arrest device.

3.8. Marking Of Lifting Equipment

3.8.1. All lifting equipment must be clearly marked with its safe
working load/maximum number of people it can safely lift.
This includes any associated equipment such as slings,
shackles or eye bolts. This must also include vehicle jacks,
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EQUIPMENT

even though not technically classed as lifting equipment

under the regulations.

3.9. Working Under Suspended Loads

3.9.1. Where reasonably practical, loads should not be lifted or

suspended over people. If this cannot be avoided, secondary
safety systems should be used in case of failure of the lifting
equipment.

3.10. Inspection And Maintenance Of Lifting Equipment

3.10.1. All lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by

a competent insurance assessor person before being put into
use for the first time and then ever 12 months or 6 months
for equipment used to lift people. Records of such
examinations should be kept for a period of six years.

3.10.2. All lifting equipment must be maintained by a

competent person in line with manufactures’ instructions and
records kept for 6 years.

4. Roles And Responsibilities

4.1. It is the responsibility of the Business and Property Services to

ensure all passenger lifts is maintained and inspected in line with
manufactures’ recommendations and the requirements of the Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. It is the
responsibility of Business and Finance Managers to inform the
Business and Property Services of any defects relating to lifting
equipment which have been identified. It is the responsibility of the
Transport Department to ensure any vehicle lifting equipment
including hoists are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance
with the above regulations. Those staff examining vehicles at
premises not belonging to Hampshire such as vehicle examiners.
Are responsible for ensure such equipment has been inspected and
tested and safe for use.

5. Administration

5.1. Copies of maintenance records and lift inspection certificates must

be kept by the Business and Property Services and by Business and
Finance Managers, with copies also being provided to the Force
insurance adviser.
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6. Monitoring/Evaluation

6.1. This procedure will be monitored by the force health and safety
adviser to ensure compliance with current health and safety
legislation.

7. Review

7.1. This procedure will be reviewed every three years, or when

legislation or Force requirements change.

8. Related Procedures, Policies And Information Sources

8.1. 21311 Procedure - Risk Assessments

8.2. 21300 Policy - Health and Safety

8.3. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

8.4. The Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

8.5. AD203 – Equality Impact Assessment

Origin: Occupational Health & Safety