Lifting Equipment Plant Audits

To assist users of lifting equipment to implement and maintain a safe lifting program in the work place and to be legally compliant, proper risk reviews or audits on lifting equipment should be conducted.

The scope of such a review will depend on the size, type and equipment used on a mine, factory, plant or installation.

The review must be conducted against either the requirements of the OHSA or MHSA Lifting Equipment Regulations, depending on which Act is applicable. For users of lifting equipment across the RSA border, cognizance has to be taken of their local legal requirements as well.

According to Piet Otto from Phakamisa Safety Consultants, the issues to be covered, but not restricted to, on such a visit are the following:

• Peruse and scrutinize all documentation;

• Peruse purchasing procedures, vendor and product specifications;

• Examine all written appointments and responsibilities;

• View all storage facilities to determine legal compliance;

• View all (or selected) lifting applications to ascertain legal compliance or identify any dangerous or illegal lifting practices;

• View all lifting practices and equipment used in the various operations for legal compliance and product conformance;

• Investigate the condition of all lifting equipment used on site for safe operation, quality, marking, certification etc.;

• Investigate existing training requirements and short comings.

All visits should start with an opening meeting with all concerned.

At the end of the visit a closing meeting is held to summarize the visit as well as to express findings, recommendations and opinions. It is essential to prepare for such a visit.

Lifting Equipment Plant Audits

To assist users of lifting equipment to implement and maintain a safe lifting program in the work place and to be legally compliant, proper risk reviews or audits on lifting equipment should be conducted. ITL Plant Hire Form a Close Business Relationship With Saxeni Equipment

LEGISLATION

20 Lifting Africa - Jan / Feb 2017

The following documentation will be scrutinized, where applicable.

If these documents are not available or up to date, Phakamisa will assist to compile and implement the necessary, to be legally compliant.

Documentation to be scrutinized will include, but are not limited to:

• Inventories or asset registers of lifting tackle and hoists in use;

• Supplier's test or conformance certificates for all products used;

• Up to date and proper Inspection registers and check lists;

• Existing Codes of Practice or written Operating Procedures;

• Stores control documents and registers;

• Allwrittenappointmentsforoperators, inspectors and lifting equipment users, based on appropriate proof of training;

• Purchasing procedures, vendors and brands;

• Lifting plans/rigging studies where applicable;

• FunctionsofallappointedResponsible Persons

• LME/LMI verification for service providers who do load testing;

• Contractor files for crane and lifting operations;

• Instructions for the safe use of lifting equipment;

• Training records, contents of training programs etc.

All relevant operational areas need to be visited where lifting equipment is used as well as stores and planning departments.

A written report

At the end of the visit, a comprehensive written report is submitted, with comments and recommendations. This report should then be used by the client to compile an Action Plan allocating various actions to be taken, by different persons and target dates should be set to complete the project. As part of the project Phakamisa can supply proper inspection, and stores control registers, and assist clients to compile or update their existing written procedures and other documents Consulting fees will depend on the scope of work which will include a written report, with recommendations, at the end. All work is conducted by the writer, who is a lifting equipment expert, consultant and trainer with over 47 years of experience in this industry