FAQ >> Cranes, lifting appliances and fork lift trucks

Cranes, lifting appliances and fork lift trucks

The Regulations apply to cranes and lifting appliances used in the manner described in Regulation 2. The terms "cranes" and "lifting appliances" are defined legally in Regulation 1 which deals with the interpretation of various expressions used in the Regulations.

"Crane" means:- "An appliance incorporating a structural member above ground level, or having a jib, and by means of which a load may be raised, lowered or suspended either by:-

  • a hook permanently attached to the structural member of the jib; or
  • a hook or any other securing device which is suspended from the structural member or jib by means of a rope or chain which forms an integral part of the appliance in such a manner as to permit movement of the hook or other securing device in any direction; and by means of which the load may be moved from one position to another by movement of the appliance as a whole, or by movement of the structural member or jib".

In order to constitute a crane so that the Regulations will apply, the machine must have a jib or other structural member above ground level (for example the horizontal part of an overhead travelling crane), beneath which loads can be controllably raised or lowered and also moved horizontally by movement of the jib or structural member.

In addition, the load must also be suspended from a hook or other similar securing device which is connected to a rope or chain which forms an integral part of the machine. The machine must be able to impart controlled three dimensional movement to the load whilst the load is secured to the suspended hook or other device.

The following machines are cranes within the meaning described above

  • Mobile jib cranes
  • Overhead travelling cranes
  • Lorry mounted cranes
  • Derrick cranes
  • Tower cranes
  • Container cranes
  • Portal jib cranes

A machine used to raise persons to elevated positions for the purposes of working on road lighting equipment etc., where the persons are standing in a working platform constructed on the end of an articulated hydraulic jib, would not be regarded as a crane within the meaning of this Regulation.

Small capacity hand operated hydraulic machines used for example to remove engines from vehicles, are considered as cranes, however, they are exempted from certain requirements of the Regulations, see page 34.

"Lifting appliance" means:- "An excavator, fork-lift truck, mechanical grab, mechanical shovel, piling machine of any description, pulley or pulley block, a winch which is designed to be used by itself, and any other prescribed appliance."

Fork lift trucks are widely used in industry and are the cause of many accidents. Although many of these accidents are caused by misuse, defects on fork-lift trucks can significantly influence their safe operation.

Machines known as chain blocks would normally be classified as lifting appliances under this definition.

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