What documentation should I receive when purchasing lifting equipment?
Legislation uses the term "lifting equipment" to describe work equipment used for lifting or lowering loads and includes attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting. However this is not the case with regards to the supply legislation and associated harmonised standards.
Specific documentation would depend on the type of lifting equipment supplied.
Most equipment supplied by Peter Cassidy's would come with a certificate to prove it is up to LOLER standards.
Can you load test and certify a manufactured lifting beam?
There are 2 ways in which a beam can be certified. They are:
- The beam is or has been in service and it is required for a further period of service.
- The beam is new and it is intended to be put in to use, whether it be for the owners own use or part of a sale.
In both cases a load test alone is inadequate for certifying the lifting beam. It cannot be legally used without a thorough examination done by a competent person.
In the second case the beam can only be certified by the manufacturer, the person who is in control of the technical file. The recommendation for this would be to test the beam as per the manufacturers instructions and be issued with a 'report of test'. This should state it is a report of test only, in order to put the equipment in to service a Declaration of Conformity will be required.
What markings should you expect to see on lifting equipment when purchasing?
In accordance with most legislation you should expect to see the following information at a minimum:
- Full name and address of the manufacturer, and where applicable, the authorised representative.
- The appropriate conformity assessment marking, where applicable.
- An identification number, if one has been specified.
- The series or type of equipment it is.
- The year the equipment was made.
- The maximum working load limit.
Machinery that is potentially to be used in an explosive atmosphere are to be marked accordingly.
In addition, lifting accessories should be marked with information which identifies the material grade where it is needed for safe use.Please note that these are minimum marking requirements and any additional markings must be also marked on where needed.
Can I use new non-conformity marked equipment in the UK?
PUWER regulation 10 requires duty holders to check that all equipment coming in to their undertaking meets any and all essential health and safety requirements. This means they must meet the requirements of EHSRs, the Supply of Machinery Regulations 2008.
The best way to do this would be to accept the conformity mark on the product and The Declaration of Conformity that accompanies it. Otherwise, the user will need to take responsibility and check compliance for themselves and accept responsibility for the product in terms of compliance and the risks in doing so.