Just to share information on Safe Lifting operations published in WSH Bulltetin.
Lifting Operations can be Dangerous
Lifting activities are an essential part of operations at many worksites. However, lifting operations can be potentially dangerous and are considered high-risk activities. The unsafe and improper use of lifting equipment had resulted in fatalities, serious injuries, and dangerous occurrences. Crane-related incidents such as crane collapse can have severe outcomes, including damage to surrounding properties, and serious injuries to workers and the public.
Ensuring Safe Lifting Operations
To ensure safe operations, thorough risk assessment and careful planning are required prior to commencement of work. A proper lifting plan should be developed for all lifting operations, which should include (i) a proper risk assessment process, (ii) a permit-to-work system, (iii) the selection of safe and proper equipment, (iv) an appreciation of the actual ground conditions and (v) the deployment of qualified and competent personnel.
The followings are some of the safety precautions which should be exercised at all times for lifting operations:
- Site lifting machines such as cranes on firm, stable and level ground to ensure stability during lifting operations.
- Do not overload the lifting appliance, lifting gear and lifting machines
- Ascertain the weight of the load before lifting.
- Develop specific risk assessment and method statement for tandem lifting operations, slope, or travelling with suspended loads.
- Check that the lifting hook’s safety latch is functioning.
- Inspect all lifting gears such as shackle, sling and hook for defects before use.
- Prominently display all relevant test certificates of the lifting equipment and permit to lift.
Some points relevant to us to note in our operations are:
- Establish proper lifting plan, identify risk and implement PTW system à Crane Access Chklist, Risk Assessment and Lifting Permit.
- Appointment of lifting supervisor, operators, rigger and signalman à ‘project appointment letter’ form, brief their role and attached their valid certificates.
- Briefing on Lifting RA to the site team à Toolbox meeting record.
- Update the Crane Logbook à by Operator and chkd by Spv à submit to Store quarterly.
- Check the lifting equipment prior to use, remove those damaged / defect equipment à use color code, test certs, register of lifting equipment on site (see attached form).
Also, some videos on lifting safety are available below (click on the link)
Hope the videos are appropriate.
Similarly you may also share some EHS good practices on yr sites.
Further Information
- WSH (General Provisions) Regulations 2006, please click here.
- WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007, please click here.
- Factories (Operations of Cranes) Regulations, please click here.
- SS536: 2008 Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Mobile Cranes
- CP 62: 1995 Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes
- CP 63: 1996 Code of Practice for the Lifting of Persons in Work Platforms Suspended from Cranes
