FAQ >> Testing and Examination of Cranes and Certain Lifting Appliances

Testing and Examination of Cranes and Certain Lifting Appliances

1. Cranes must be tested by a competent person before they are taken into use for the first time. They must also be tested by a competent person after they have been altered or repaired in such a manner that the strength or stability of the crane may have been changed. After the test, the crane must be thoroughly examined by the competent person who must complete a report in the form of a certificate of test. A specimen of the certificate showing the particulars which should be included is shown as form CLA.1. in Appendix I. Tests carried out in the UK on cranes would satisfy the requirements of this Regulation.

2. The method and type of test cannot be specified in the Regulations as this depends upon many factors and the competent person will decide upon the manner and extent of the test.

3. The aim of a test is to demonstrate that the crane conforms to its specification and can be safely operated at its rated capacity. The test usually involves the application of an overload, i.e. a load greater than the rated safe working load of the crane under the range of the normal duties of the crane. Tests can also include the use of non-destructive test facilities, i.e. scientific methods of determining the internal quality and condition of welds, straps, struts, metal fatigue etc.

4. Cranes must be thoroughly examined at least once in every period of 12 months by a competent person. After the examination has been completed a report of the examination has to be made and this report must be completed in the form CLA.2. as shown in Appendix I. If a crane is employed on particularly arduous duties, the Minister for Social Security may, by order, require that the crane should be thoroughly examined more than once in every period of 12 months. This would be specified in subordinate legislation.

5. The term "competent person" is not defined in Regulation 1. Competency is a matter of judgement not of definition, however, the following guidelines will assist employers or plant owners in determining the type of person who would carry out the duties of testing and examining for the purpose of these Regulations.

6. The person should:-

a) have the requisite knowledge and experiences, both theoretical and practical, of the type of crane or lifting appliance to be tested and examined; to certify with confidence that it is capable of being used safely and it is free from patent defect and suitable in every way for the duty in which the crane or lifting appliance is to be used. Additionally, the extent of his competency will depend upon the organisation behind him and the technical facilities available to him. This is quite relevant where a person is an engineer surveyor employed by an engineering insurance company specialising in this type of work. As a general rule, persons carrying out duties under Regulation 5 should have at least the following experience and training -

  • A sound technical and professional training with recognised national qualifications, and have approximately two years practical experience in a suitable appointment
  • A satisfactory knowledge of the inspections or tests or examinations that they are carrying out
  • The ability to draw up certificates and reports required on the work that they are carrying out
  • A thorough knowledge of the applicable specifications, statutory Regulations and Codes of Practice
  • The necessary experience to interpret and evaluate the results of their work

b) generally, not be an employee of the person who owns or uses the crane or lifting appliance. There are exceptions to this however, particularly in the case of large crane hire companies who employ highly experienced engineers to do this work.

6. If, after a thorough examination, a competent person concludes that a crane cannot continue to be used safely, he must inform the owner and user of the crane immediately, and within 28 days forward a written report to the Health and Safety Inspectorate at the Social Security Department. The owner and user of the crane, when informed that a crane cannot continue to be used safely, must ensure that the crane is taken out of use.

7. The competent person may, during the course of thoroughly examining a crane, decide that it should be re-tested within a specified period of time or decide that the crane cannot be used safely after a specified period of time without certain repairs being carried out. Under these circumstances, a crane must not be used beyond the period specified by the competent person in the report, unless the crane has been re-tested or unless the necessary repairs have been carried out.

8. Once every four years, or at every fourth thorough examination, the competent person must state in his report whether, in his opinion, he considers the crane should be re-tested as required by Regulation 5, and the period within which this must be done.

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