Questions and Answers
Who is subject to the Electricity at Work Regulations?
Employees have a duty to co-operate with their employer regarding safety regulations.
True
What is the principal aim of the 'New Approach' in the European Union?
To remove barriers to trade by requiring products to meet common minimum health and safety objectives.
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive applies to equipment with an electrical _____.
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What was the main legislation concerned with the use of lifting equipment prior to December 5, 1998?
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Why is it important for examiners of lifting equipment to be familiar with national regulations?
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Power operated equipment often allows for quicker ____ than manually operated equipment.
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What is BS EN 818 – 7 associated with?
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Type DAT hoist chains have a surface hardness less than core hardness.
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What must load chains be strong and resistant to?
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The chain must always hang in a ______ line.
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How often should chains in very heavy service undergo periodic inspection?
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What condition should the chain be in to engage with the load wheel correctly?
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What should be used for lubrication of load chains in adverse working conditions?
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Elongation of a load chain is permitted and indicates normal wear.
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Match the chain type with its usage:
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A common misunderstanding is that stretch in a load chain is the same as ______.
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What should be checked during a thorough examination of the chain?
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What should be done if minor faults in the chain are not corrected by cleaning and lubrication?
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Chains can be back hooked or choked.
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What should load chains be inspected for during user inspections?
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Study Notes
Moral, Legal, and Financial Reasons for Health and Safety Legislation
- Employers hold a moral obligation to provide safe working conditions, outlined as a common law duty of care.
- Unsafe conditions can hinder productivity, decrease morale, and ultimately result in loss of sales and profit.
- Companies face societal and customer expectations regarding health and safety culture; failing to meet these can lead to negative public relations.
- Financial repercussions of safety violations can include fines, legal costs, damages, and increased insurance premiums.
Legislative Framework
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (UK) is a comprehensive law applicable across all sectors without specific articles or substances mentioned.
- The Act establishes duties for manufacturers, suppliers, employers, and employees related to health and safety.
- The HSWA serves as an enabling act for more specific regulations and is considered a legal requirement in the UK while being seen as best practice internationally.
Main Purposes of the HSWA
- Aims to secure health, safety, and welfare of people at work.
- Protects individuals from work-related hazards.
- Regulates the management of dangerous substances and materials.
- Controls emissions of harmful substances from workplaces.
Duties under the HSWA
- Employers must ensure—so far as is reasonably practicable—the health, safety, and welfare of all employees, providing safe systems and environments.
- Designers and manufacturers must ensure products are safe and provide necessary information for safe use, testing, and risk updates.
- Employees must not harm themselves or others and must cooperate with employers in maintaining safety.
Management of Health and Safety Regulations
- Regulations necessitate planning, organization, control, and monitoring of safety measures, with documentation made accessible to employees.
- Training obligations on employers and responsibilities for employees to follow safety instructions are emphasized.
Risk Assessment
- Risk assessment involves identifying potential harm within the workplace, facilitating better safety measures.
- Evaluation focuses on human harm, legal consequences, and economic impacts related to workplace accidents.
Key Definitions
- Hazard: Something that has potential to cause harm.
- Risk: Likelihood of harm occurring based on hazard severity.
Steps to Conduct a Risk Assessment
- Identify hazards.
- Determine individuals who may be harmed and how.
- Evaluate risks and decide on control measures.
- Record findings and implement changes.
- Review and update the assessment as needed.
Control Measures
- Follow the ERIC-PD hierarchy: Eliminate, Reduce, Isolate, Control, PPE, Discipline.
- Continuous monitoring and compliance to adapt to changes in workplace conditions or new hazards.
Safe System of Work
- A checklist-based approach to affirm safe work practices includes identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures.
European Machinery Directive
- Provides common safety requirements for machinery across the European community.
- Focuses on risk assessments and compliance with European standards.
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
- Implements the European Machinery Directive in the UK, ensuring safety standards for manufacturers and suppliers.
- Requires documentation, testing, and adherence to essential safety requirements for products.
PUWER and LOLER Regulations
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER): Mandates that work equipment meets safety standards and is regularly maintained and inspected.
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER): Specifically addresses lifting equipment in addition to PUWER requirements, applicable across all industries.
Key Requirements of PUWER
- Employers must ensure work equipment is safe, suitable, and properly maintained.
- Regular inspections and record-keeping are mandatory, along with providing adequate training and information for users.
- Compliance can be verified through CE marking and EC declarations of conformity.### CE Marking and EC Declaration of Conformity
- Locate the CE marking on lifting equipment as a certification of compliance with EU safety standards.
- Obtain the EC Declaration of Conformity from the supplier as proof that the equipment meets regulatory requirements.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
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Regulation 4: Strength and Stability
Employers must ensure that load limits for strength and stability are not exceeded. -
Regulation 5: Lifting Equipment for Lifting Persons
Additional safeguards are required for using equipment to lift people. -
Regulation 6: Positioning and Installation
Outlines considerations for the siting of fixed and mobile lifting equipment. -
Regulation 7: Marking of Lifting Equipment
Equipment must be marked with its Safe Working Load (SWL) and related characteristics. -
Regulation 8: Organisation of Lifting Operations
Each lifting operation must be planned, supervised, and executed safely. -
Regulation 9: Thorough Examination and Inspection
- Equipment must be thoroughly examined before first use, with exceptions for newer equipment or if a Declaration of Conformity (DOC) is held.
- Maximum examination periods: Lifting equipment every 12 months, lifting accessories every 6 months, and people-carrying equipment every 6 months.
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Regulation 10: Reports and Defects
- Employers must be notified of defects that could endanger personnel.
- Reports must be in writing and sent to relevant authorities if there is an imminent risk.
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Regulation 11: Keeping of Information
- Employers must keep the EC Declaration of Conformity as long as the equipment is in use.
- Reports of examinations must be available for inspection, with specific retention periods for different equipment types.
Written Schemes of Examination
- Allows for an examination scheme tailored to specific equipment, focusing on critical safety areas and potentially reducing costs.
- Must include details about the equipment, responsible personnel, basis for the scheme, and frequency and methods of examination.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Requires risk assessments for manual handling tasks to reduce injury risks.
- Employers must introduce lifting appliances if manual handling presents a high risk.
Working at Height Guidance
- Aims to minimize falls and injuries when working at elevated locations.
- Emphasizes assessing risks and using equipment to prevent falls.
- Points to avoid: Overloading ladders, using inadequate equipment, and allowing untrained personnel to work at height.
Electricity at Work Regulations
- Applies to all workplaces and mandates duties for both employers and employees to minimize electrical risks.
- Covers all electrical equipment involved in the processing or management of electrical energy.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
- Aims to harmonize technical regulations in the EU to prevent interference between electrical equipment.
- Requires compliance with both the Machinery Directive and the EMC Directive as per the CE marking, ensuring equipment functions properly without causing disturbances.### Revoked, Repealed and Amended Legislation
- The Factories Act 1961 was the primary legislation for lifting equipment prior to 5 December 1998.
- New regulations include the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
- These regulations revoke, revoke or amend, and replace the requirements set forth in several prior regulations, including:
- Factories Act 1961
- Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961
- Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960
- Docks Regulations 1988
- Mines and Quarries Act 1954
- Offshore Installations (Operational Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations 1976
- Lifting Plant and Equipment (Records of Test and Examination etc.) Regulations 1992
LEEA COPSULE – Methods of Operation
- LEEA COPSULE does not cover the operation of powered equipment but emphasizes the importance of power system compliance with relevant regulations.
- Power-operated equipment offers faster operation, reduces operator fatigue, and allows remote handling of heavier loads.
- Manual operation is suitable for:
- Light loads
- Infrequent use
- Precision placement needs
- Power operation is recommended for:
- Frequent lifting of heavy loads
- Situations requiring rapid operation
Summary
- Familiarization with applicable national regulations for lifting equipment is crucial for safety and legal compliance in the UK.
- Non-compliance can result in prosecution due to breaches of law for equipment examiners.
Fine Tolerance – Short Link Chain
- Governed by BS EN 818-7, which specifies safety standards for short link chains used in lifting.
- Available grades include Type T, DAT, and DT, with diameters ranging from 4mm to 22mm.
- Compliance with EN 818-1 is necessary for chains manufactured using electrically welded round steel.
- ISO 3077 covers fine tolerance hoist chains of Grade T.
Chain Finishes
- Grade mark indicates the quality of fine tolerance chains.
- Type DAT chains feature higher surface hardness than core hardness, enhancing wear resistance for power-driven hoists.
- Type DT chains provide even greater surface hardness and case depth, optimizing wear resistance.
Characteristics of Fine Tolerance Chain
- Precisely manufactured dimensions ensure smooth engagement without jamming in load wheels.
- A tensile force applied during manufacture enhances work hardening of the chain.
- Contains less ductility than medium tolerance chains yet exhibits superior wear characteristics.
Load Chain Properties
- Must possess strength, corrosion resistance, and wear protection, often achieved through material selection and additional hardening processes.
Chain Types and Applications
- Type T: Suitable for manually operated or slow-speed power hoists in non-abrasive environments.
- Type DAT: Ideal for high-speed power hoists needing enhanced wear resistance.
- Type DT: Designed for use in abrasive conditions.
- Note: Case hardened chains are inappropriate for portable manually operated hoists.
Alignment and Maintenance
- Proper alignment with load wheels is critical; suitable chain guides must be utilized.
- Must remain under tension to properly engage with load wheels.
- Regularly inspect for corrosion or debris accumulation.
Lubrication and Chain Handling
- Adequate lubrication is vital, utilizing high-pressure-resistant lubricants.
- Colloidal graphite is preferred in extreme conditions; must remain acid-free.
- Use chain collector boxes or bags with drainage features to prevent excess slack.
Safety Precautions
- Load chains should hang straight; twists should be avoided.
- Load hooks must have swivels to maintain chain alignment.
- Back hooking or choking of load chains is prohibited.
Inspection Frequency
- Inspections classified as "frequent" or "periodic" are essential.
- Frequent inspections:
- Light service: Monthly
- Moderate service: Bi-weekly
- Heavy service: Weekly
- Very heavy service: Daily
- Periodic inspections ensure thorough assessment and documentation of conditions.
Examination Procedures
- Thorough examination by a competent person includes inspection of entire chain length.
- Hoists should be tested under both no-load and loaded conditions for functionality.
- Visual checks for nicks, cuts, and wear must be conducted meticulously.
Chain Elongation vs. Stretch
- Misunderstanding exists between elongation (due to wear) and stretch (indicative of permanent deformation).
- Stretch results in rejection; elongation of more than 2% across a minimum of five links is acceptable for rejection.
Rejection Criteria for Load Chains
- Chains must be rejected if they display:
- Cracks
- Nicks, gouges, or visible distortion
- Severe corrosion
- Difficult-to-remove deposits
- Length increase beyond acceptable limits.
Chain Replacement Guidelines
- Follow manufacturer's specifications for replacement chain to ensure compatibility.
- Replace pocketed wheels simultaneously with chain replacement due to wear dynamics.
- Certificates must document essential details about the manufacturer, testing, and ownership of the chain.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Electricity at Work Regulations and related safety legislation. This quiz covers topics such as the responsibilities of employees, the EU's 'New Approach', and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Perfect for those involved in lifting equipment and electrical safety assessments.
