SAFE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT LEEA

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT

ACoPs give a practical advice on how to comply with the law.
LEEA- THE LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION:
Offering a wide range of products and services in the field of lifting equipment.
Members offer a complete service of periodic examination, testing, repair, re-certification, training
courses, inspection, and general services.
Guide to the safe use and inspection of all types of lifting equipment
All LE are safe and meets the Essential Safety Requirements (design, build an supply)
It summarises in 3 parts:
PART 1:
•The legistation covering the supply and use the LE (Lifting Equipment)
•Lifting procedure covering general LO (Lifting Operations)
•The selection and use of lifting machines and supporting structures
•The selection and use of lifting gear
PART 2:
•26 specialised sections with a particular type of lifting equiment
• Key points for the safe use and in-service inspection of each LE
PART 3
•Information about CoPfSUoLE
•Glossary of terminology
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT

CoP for SAFE USE of LE
SECTION 1- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
0. Foreword
1. Scope
2. Definitions
3. Legal Requirements
4. Principles for the selection of lifting equipment
5. Information which should be exchanged between the user and the designer or supplier
6. Marking storage and handling
7. In-service inspection
8. Safe use of lifting equipment
9. Training
APPENDIX
A Recommended crane signals
B. Load estimation-weight and centre of gravity
C. Load security-balance and stability
D. Structures
E. Principles for the selection and use of multipurpose slings
F. Planning the lifting operation
G. Guidance on written schemes of examination

0. Foreword
This code has been published in order to provide guidance for all those persons and
organisations having responsability for safety in the selection and use of LE.
The code covers many items of equipment available (not every application in detail)
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (H&SW) – designers, manufacturers, importers and
suppliers of equipment are responsible that LE are designed and constructed to be safe and
without any risk to health –(information and maintenance). Employers are responsible for
maintenance, information, instruction, training and supervision.
Manufacturer of LE must to comply with the Supply of Machinery Regulations SI 2008/1597.
Employers have duties under PUWER & LOLER & H&SW
1. Scope
Comprise the General Requirements common to most items of LE. (UK Regulations)

2. DEFINITIONS
CE MARKING
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
MANUFACTURER’S CERTIFICATE, RECORD OF TEST
OR STATEMENT OF CONFORMITY OPERATIVE
HARMONISED EUROPEAN STANDARD (TRANSPOSED)
EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE
PUWER
LOLER
COMPETENT PERSON
OPERATIVE
RESPONSIBLE PERSON
FOS (FACTOR OF SAFETY)
MINIMUM BREAKING (OR FAILURE) LOAD
SWL (SAFE WORKING LOAD)
WLL (WORKING LOAD LIMIT)
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
TEST CERTIFICATE
THOROUGH EXAMINATION
VERIFICATION
PROOF OR TEST LOAD
REPORT OF A THOROUGH EXAMINATION
LIFTING ACCESSORY
LIFTING APPLIANCE
LIFTING EQUIPMENT
LIFTING GEAR
MULTIPURPOSE EQUIPMENT
SINGLE PURPOSE EQUIPMENT

CoP for SAFE USE of LE-- SECTION 1- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2. DEFINITIONS
CE MARKING- is a stylised mark affixed to an item by the manufacturer= LE complies with
all relevant European Directives
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY- is a declaration made by the manufacturer, or other
responsible person, that the LE complies with the relevant ED (European Directives) . It is
the legal document enabling an item to be placed on the market and taken into service
MANUFACTURER’S CERTIFICATE, RECORD OF TEST OR STATEMENT OF CONFORMITY-
confirming the verification of the equipment. (No CE)
HARMONISED EUROPEAN STANDARD (TRANSPOSED)-is a standard mandated and
approved by the European Commission for the purposes of compliance with ED (BSI body
–UK- BS EN) CEN (body-European Committee for Standardization)-EN
EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE-is a Directive to the members states of the European Community.
Such Directives are used to remove technical barriers to trade and introduce common
safety requirements
PUWER- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
LOLER –Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

2. DEFINITIONS
COMPETENT PERSON- a person with the necessary knowledge, experience, training, skill
and ability = (to perform the specific duty to which the requirement refers)
their own duties and responsibilities for the purpose.
Person with practical and theoretical knowledge and experience.
Corporate responsibility.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON-is a person who has sufficient knowledge and training to recognise
obvious defects, and is responsible for the in-service inspection of equipment.
OPERATIVE- is a trained person actually using the equipment

2. DEFINITIONS
LIFTING ACCESSORY-is an item of equipment used to attach the load
to the lifting appliance.
LIFTING APPLIANCE-is any machine which is able to raise, lower or
suspend a load (not guide load-lifts/conveyors- excluded)
LIFTING EQUIPMENT- is all lifting accessories, lifting gear and lifting
appliances
LIFTING GEAR –is any item to connect a load to a lifting machine or
appliance (not movement) =lifting tackle
MULTIPURPOSE EQUIPMENT-is any equipment designed to a standard
specification to lift a variety of loads up to the marked SWL.
SINGLE PURPOSE EQUIPMENT- is any equipment designed for and
dedicated to lifting a specific load in a specified manner or working in
a particular environment.

2. DEFINITIONS
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION-is a visual inspection carried out by the
Responsible Person to check for obvious sign of damage or wear which
might affect the equipment’s fitness for use.
TEST CERTIFICATE-certifying that LE is fitness for safe use- Must be
retained –record (EC or not- new or older)
THOROUGH EXAMINATION- is a visual examination carried out by a
Competent Person-LE is safe to use- maybe measurement and testing.
VERIFICATION- the procedures to ensure that LE is to required standard
or specifications, meets legal requirements and is safe to operate. Proof
load test, sample break test, non-destructive test, calculation,
measurement and thorough examination
PROOF OR TEST LOAD-is a load (mass or force) applied by the
Competent Person for the purpose of a test. Reports.
REPORT OF A THOROUGH EXAMINATION-is a report issued by the
Competent Person giving the results of the thorough examination (Safe
use, defects, details of the test)

2. DEFINITIONS
FOS (FACTOR OF SAFETY)- is the ration between minimum breaking load and safe working load
(as well the working coefficient or coefficient of utilization)
MINIMUM BREAKING (OR FAILURE) LOAD-is the specified load (mass or force) below which the
item of equipment does not fail either by fracture or distorting to such an extent that the load is
released.
SWL (SAFE WORKING LOAD)- is the maximum load (mass) as assessed by a Competent Person
which an item of LE may raise, lower or suspender under the particular service conditions. It is
marked on the equipment and records (= the working load limit or maximum safe working load)
WLL (WORKING LOAD LIMIT) – is the maximum load (mass) that an item of LE is designed to
raise, lower or suspend. (=maximum safe working load)

3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL
SUPPLY LEGISLATION
USE LEGISLATION
SUMMARY OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
1.Making equipment that is safe
2.Providing information for use
3.Providing equipment that is safe and suitable
4.Adequate planning, supervision and safe manner
5.Training and use
6.Maintenance
7.Inspection and thorough examination
8.Records of conformity, test, examination, etc.
INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN AN EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN A REPORT OF A THOROUGH EXAMINATION
REPEALED, REVOKED AND AMENDED LEGISLATION
PRECRIBED FORMS AND PARTICULARS PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF LOLER

GENERAL
Prior to the European Legislation, requirement of LE were given in the Factories Act 1961.
Health and Safety at Work Act- 1974 the prime legislation covering the safety of equipment for use at
work.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1992 introduced the concept of risk assessment.
SUPPLY LEGISLATION
The supply of new LE is covered by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
These implement the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
These regulations cover power and manually operated lifting machines, and lifting accessories (slings,
shackles, lifting beams, clamps and equipment used to attach the load to the lifting machine)
USE LEGISLATION
PUWER – implement the European Use of Work Equipment Directive (UWED-89/655/ECC) and
AUWED (95/63/EC) (Ammended)
AUWED are implemented with LOLER
PUWER & LOLER are suplemented by ACoPs

Reflects the spirit of the legislation where everyone has a legal responsibility for safety.
Must be considered the following 8 requirements:
1- Equipment must be SAFE & SUITABLE for the intended purpose
2- Manufacturers and suppliers must provide INFORMATION on the safe use of their equipment
3- Those obtaining equipment for others to use at work must ensure that is SAFE&SUITABLE
4- The lifting operation must be ADEQUATELY PLANNED, SUPERVISED and carried out in a SAFE MANNER
5- The personnel who use the equipment must be SUITABLE TRAINED
6- The equipment must be MAINTAINED in a SAFE CONDITION
7- The equipment must be INSPECTED and THOROUGHLY EXAMINADED to check whether it is SAFE TO USE
8- RECORDS of CONFORMITY, TEST and EXAMINATION must be KEPT.

1.MAKING EQUIPMENT THAT IS SAFE
Defined Responsible- acc. supply of machinery---legal meaning.
The LE must be satisfy the Essential H&S Requirements given in the Machinery Directive
CE+ EC Declaration of Conformity + Technical File- to be checked by HSE in the UK.
The responsible person is confirming that the equipment complies with Machinery
Directive and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2006, that implement European
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC).
2.PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR USE
Manufacturers and suppliers must provide the information on the care and safe use of
the equipment, including the installation, commissioning and decommissioning
3.PROVIDING EQUIPMENT THAT IS SAFE AND SUITALBE
Employers, or other persons obtaining or providing equipment MUST ensure is safe and
suitable for the intended purpose. ( New or Older comply with all relevant European
Directives and general requirements of H&S at Work , and PUWER (11-24))

4.ADEQUATE PLANNING, SUPERVISON AND SAFE MANNER
Routine or complex operation required a plan (written)
Fundamental part of any plan:
Providing the right equipment
Using appropriately trained people
Following correct practices
The operation is in safe manner-weight, shape and strength of the load +
the air (load stable when is landed)+weather conditions+ the floor is
strong enough to support the load + lifting operation on other people or
activities. Complex operations- supervisor.
5.TRAINING AND USE
Employer are obliged to ensure that equipment is properly used and that operatives
are suitably trained in the use of that equipment.
Employees are obliged to use only equipment for which they have received training
and to use in the manner in which they have been trained. See training.
6.MAINTENANCE
Should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
If the equipment is dismantled and reassembled, or a repair is made,
should be re-verified before use (Functional test and visual examination).

7.INSPECTION AND THOROUGH EXAMINATION
Regulation 9 LOLER- Every employer shall ensure that before 1º time put into service it
is thoroughly examined (EC-12 months before use and LE has not been used before)
Where the LE depends on the installations conditions, it is thoroughly examined to
ensure that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
Operatives should look for any obvious sighs of damage, deterioration or malfunctions
and report to the Responsible Person. LOLER-LE is inspected at suitable intervals
between thorough examinations to ensure safe to use.
Maintenance programmes –examination- whilst in use.
Acc. LOLER LE is thoroughly examined by a Competent Person:
• 6 months for LE for lifting persons and lifting accessories - (LA)
• 12 months for other LE
• After unexpected shock loading, or following exceptional circumstances.
STATE on the report the date of next examination
Competent person- is legally obliged to send a copy of the report to HSE if examination
involves an existing risk of serious personal injury.

8.RECORDS OF CONFORMITY, TEST, EXAMINATION, ETC
A.Birth certificate-EC Declaration of Conformity- comply with European Directives, and
PUWER (R.10)
B. Safety depends upon the installed conditions: + Certificate of test and examination,
manufacturer’s certificate or statement of conformity depending on the standard being
worked to.
EC for a batch- acc. LOLER they require a report of through examination each.
Older equipment predating current legislation, will be certificate of test of conformity
acc. The standard worked to.
LOLER (Schedule 1)- contains list of information to be recorded following a thorough
examination
All records of test, examinations, maintenance should be retained and cross referenced
for inspection by the Competent Person or HSE.
Every employer- acc. LOLER- shall ensure that no LE leaves his undertaking or person
undertaking accompanied by physical evidence that the last thorough examination
required has been carried out.

INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN AN EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations require:
1- Name and full address manufacturer´s
2- Name and address of the person authorised to compile technical file
3- Description and identification of the machinery : Function, model, type,
serial number and commercial name
4- A statement that the equipment complies with the relevant Directives
5- A list of the transposed harmonised standards used
6- A list of the other technical standards and specifications used
7- Place and date of the declaration
8- To sign the declaration -the responsible person.

INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN A REPORT OF A THOROUGH EXAMINATION: LOLER (Schedule 1)
1- Name and address of the employer.
2- The address of the premises where the examination is made.
3- Identify equipment including its date of manufacture.
4- Date of the last thorough examination.
5- SWL of the LE or SWL for the last configuration in which it was thoroughly examined.
6- In relation with 1º thorough examination of LE after installation or assembly at a new site or in a new location:
thorough examination and it is installed correctly-be safe to operate.
7- In relation to a thorough examination of LE other that before paragraph:
• Within an interval of 6 months under regulation 9 (3)(a)(i)
• Within an interval of 12 month under regulation 9 (3)(a)(ii)
• In acc with an examination scheme under regulation 9 (3)(a)(iii) or
• After the occurrence of exceptional circumstances under regulations 9 (3)(a)(iv)
8-In relation to every thorough examination of LE:
• Identification of any part fount to have a defect which is or could become a danger to persons, and a description of the defect.
• Particulars of any repair, renewal or alteration required to remedy a defect found to be a danger to persons.
• In the case of a defect which is not yet but could become a danger to persons:
• The time which it could become such a danger
• Particulars of any repair, renewal or alteration required to remedy it
• The latest date by which the next thorough examination must be carried out
• Where the thorough examination included testing, particulars of any test
• The date of the thorough examination
9- Name, address and qualifications of the person making the report- self-employed/employer.
10- Name, address of a person signing or authenticating the report on behalf of its author.
11- The date of the report

REPEALED, REVOKED AND AMENDED LEGISLATION
PUWER AND LOLER repeal, revoke or amend and replace the requirement for LE in:
The Factories Act 1961
The Construction (LO)Regulations 1961
The Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulation 1960
The Docks Regulations 1988
The Mines and Quarries Act 1954
The Offshore Installations Regulations 1976
The Lifting Plant and Equipment Regulations 1992
PRECRIBED FORMS AND PARTICULARS PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF LOLER
Existing equipment with old records prior to the LOLER, remain valid until normal expiry date.
See the old requirement, they are listed for identification purposes:
The Docks Regulation 1934-F86/F87/F97/F1944/F1945/F1046
The Factories Act 1961- F54/F88
The Construction (LO)Regulations 1961-F75/F80/F87/F91/F96/F97
Th Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960-F87/F97/F2040

4. PRINCIPLES FOR THE SELECTION OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT
4.1 VERIFICATION
LE should be of adequate strength, sound material, of good construction and suitable
for the duty which it has to perform. It should be verified in accordance with the
requirements of the standard being worked to. EC Declaration of Conformity. Essential
safety requirements of the Machinery Directive.
4.2 FACTOR OF SAFETY
LE shall have an adequate FS incorporated in its design
The purposes f.e. allowance for wear/impact/dynamic loading and accidental
overloading. Avoid circumstances which can overload (inadvertent)
4.3 STANDARDS
Many items are covered by British and international standards
4.4 INTENDED USE
Some LE can be used in a variety of ways (manufacturer/supplier should inform)
Competent person authorises the uses
4.5 COMPATIBILITY
Equipment (shackles, hook, rings..) in size for a given capacity according to the grade
of material used. Each items of equipment seats correctly and aligns with its
neighbour.

5. INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE USER AND THE DESIGNER OR SUPPLIER
Information relating to the safety of equipment.
The requirements of a load to be lifted and the proposed manner in which the equipment is
to be used- to explain to the Competent Person:
Total maximum weight of the load to be lifted
Dimensions of the load (headroom, height of lift, transport when suspended,
manipulation of suspended load, centre of gravity) and methods of lifft
(attachment)should be stated
Details of any adverse environmental conditions- temperature, humidity, chemical
attack, corrosive atmospheres.
Details of frequency of use and average loadings
Information on correct maintenance, storage and limitations on its use

6. MARKING STORAGE AND HANDLING
MARKING:
Equipment should be marked with:
 SWL
 an identification mark to facilitate PERIODIC INSPECTION
 other marks required by legislation.
Marking by suitable plate or metal tab permanently attached or by stamping directly into the equipment.
Mark obliterated or illegible- equipment should be withdrawn from service, re-marking, re-verification.
Metric units of tonnes (t) or kilograms (kg)
Certain items- grade or quality mark acc EN 818 Series of chain.
STORAGE AND HANDLING:
Vary according to the nature of equipment
Should be dry, free from injurious pollution and not extreme temperatures.
Reduce to a minimum the risk of damage or deterioration- Suitable storage.
Storage should be designated, locked- entry authorised persons.
Bins, racks etc, should be provided or allowed to lie on the floor.
Requirements for storing individual items are given in the appropriate sections of the code.
BS grade markings acc EN-818 series
4 Grade 40 normalised condition.
04 Grade 40 hardened and tempered.
M Grade M hardened and tempered.
S Grade S hardened and tempered.
T Grade T hardened and tempered.
4 Grade 4 hardened and tempered
TH Grade T fine tolerance chain for use in hand chain blocks
VH Grade V fine tolerance chain for use in hand chain blocks

7. IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
Operational and environmental conditions- may affect safe working characteristic.
Legislation requires that LE is properly maintained and safe to operate at all times.
LOLER requires it to be inspected at suitable intervals between the thorough examinations.
Regular: IN-SERVICE INSPECTIONS – acc by the utilization, environment and other factors- history of LE.
Should be carried out by the Responsible Person.
-For organisations: with a large varied amount of equipment : Planned control systems-series of locked bonded
stores, colour coding system, etc. – can be provided by LEEA Members.
- Procedures to ensure that manufacturers´ recommendations with regard to regular maintenance are carried out.
Thorough examination or test be carried out Competent Person
-Repairs to load bearing of the LE are carried out using certified spare parts, and equipment be thoroughly
examined by a Competent Person, and written in the records.
-Repairs with uncertified spare parts, LE should be verified proof load test, and thoroughly examined by a
Competent Person.
Completion of the thorough examination or test and thorough examination by the Competent Person, a REPORT
should be issued. Kept with the records for the equipment.

8. SAFE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT
The load is safe (lifted, in the air, on the ground)
General procedure of lifting operation:
- Determinate the weight (mass) of the load and the position of its centre o gravity CG
- Decide the method of lifting and slinging the load (overload)
- The load is balanced- CG
- Load is not damaged by the LE and LE is not damaged by the load.
- Inspected the LE (no defects before use)
- Ropes or tag lines to control the load in the air. (length)
- Consideration obstacles to avoided (power lines, pipe work, etc)
- Landing site should be prepared before commencing the operation (landing pads, timbers)
- Load is free to be lifted (no bolts, etc)
- Loose parts of the load are adequately secured
- Clear method of communication between driver, slinging, etc.
- The area of operations are clear (no-one under load)
- The load is balanced, stable and secure.
- The load so as to trap the slings as this may result in serious damage to them.
- Be careful when to set the load down (toes, fingers trapped)
- Lifting operation is completed, the equipment should be storage.
- The sling are to be left on the lifting appliance- should be hooked to prevent risk
Other considerations:
-Management –operatives and supervisors are adequately trained and have instructions provided by the
manufacturer or supplier (acc Health and Safety at Work etc Act.) provide before or later date.
-More than one operative- communication clear- see hand signals- Appendix
-Only one operative should give signals. Other guide the load, if it is required. Complex operation- not conflicting
signals
-Method of communication should be considered- no risk of confused (verbal, radio).
-No item LA, LE subjected to a load in excess of its SWL, see BS7121-1 guidance for multi-point lifting.
-LE should not be altered or modified in any way without approval of Competent Person,
Re-verified, examined and certified before further use.

9. TRAINING
OPERATIVE TRAINING
All operatives are required by legislation to be trained in the use of the LE.
- To be informed of the specific use of LE(access manual or information)
- The correct method of use of the item(s)
- Recognition of the marking on the equipment.
- Daily check procedure
- Pre-use checks to be made (load, angle, basic equipment)
- Correct methods of attaching the load, slings and others
- Pre-lift checks to be carried out
- Instructed in the lifting and lowering procedures
- Signals to be used
- Conversant with the possible faults
- Completion of lifting operation (methods for transportation and storage)
- Safe systems of work, seek advice when is doubt.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON/SUPERVISOR
Cover similar point. A record kept that the Responsible person reached a
satisfactory standard.

SAFE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT LEEA

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