SWP 025 Mechanical Lifts and Suspended Loads

SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
SWP-025
Issued: July 12, 2013

Reviewed: July 12, 2013
GENERAL
APPLICATION
PROTECTIVE
MECHANISMS
SELECTION
AND USE
SUPERVISOR
RESPONSIBILITY
WORKER
RESPONSIBILITY
Mechanical Lifts and Suspended Loads.

Protecting workers from injuries associated with use of Extension Ladders.
Protecting workers from injuries associated with mechanical lifts and suspended loads.
Safe work procedure
PPE
Pre-operation assessment of equipment, rigging and surroundings.
Barricades and warning signs as appropriate
As per job requirements
1. Facilitate and/or provide appropriate training as necessary to their workers on
mechanical lifts.
2. In higher-profile planned lifts, ensure that an assessment of the situation is carried out to
identify and eliminate excessively hazardous conditions and that the appropriate control
measures are in place before the lift is attempted.
3. Monitor mechanical lifting operations by workers and ensure that all workers use safe
work practices and that unsafe use of the tool is identified, and corrected.
4. Ensure that the Safe Work Procedures of Mechanical Lifts and
Suspended Loads are followed.
1. Read and follow all of the provisions of SWP-022 Mechanical Lifts and Suspended
Loads.
2. Construction site lifts - using on-site equipment
a. This practice refers to lifts at construction sites, not to lifts using small mechanical lifts
controlled by PMAL employees although many of the same instructions would apply to
both situations.
b. All rigging done to enable overhead lifts shall be done by an employee that has had
training in basic rigging (Trade-school training is sufficient for this purpose)
3. Sling Standards:
a. All slings used in rigging a load shall be manufactured and marked with the rated
strength according to ASME Standard B30.9-1996 Slings.
4. Rigging Inspection:
a. Due to the nature of our work, the majority of mechanical lifting equipment and
rigging used by our personnel will be the property of others and their use will be
controlled by the Prime Contractor who is responsible to ensure that proper
certifications, maintenance and inspection processes are carried out. However, if any
PMAL employee has cause for concern about the condition or safety of the equipment or
rigging used in a planned lift, he/she shall bring it to the attention of the Site Supervisor
who is then responsible to investigate to determine that the questionable equipment or
rigging is safe for use before PMAL employees may work with it.
b. Slings used by PMAL employees to suspend loads shall be inspected by a
competent employee (one that has received rigging training) and shall be in serviceable
condition. Rejection criteria as specified in sections 305 309 shall be applied.
c. Ensure that the appropriate safety latches are on all hooks used.
Planning the lift:
a. Ensure that the lift can be carried out safely. Ensure that the load will not pass over
other people, or notify the people about the lift. Erect warning signs or post personnel to
ensure that people do not enter or remain in the area under the suspended load.
b. Verify that there is a place to put the load down safely.
c. Attach tag lines where these are necessary and ensure that there is no possibility that
people using the tag lines will be injured due to falls, pinch points or being struck or
crushed by the load.
d. Designate one person to direct the operator of the lifting device and have that
person don high visibility clothing where appropriate. The lifting device operator
shall take instruction from only the designated person.
e. Identify/assess any potential problems or areas of interference such as stacked
material, overhead power lines or trees etc. and develop appropriate controls for these
hazardous situations.
f. Consider atmospheric and wind conditions and take the appropriate action.
g. Arrange signaling processes and ensure that the lifting device operator and the
designated person are both familiar with the processes.
6. Basic Rigging;
a. Evaluate the load:
i. Determine or estimate the weight of the load and ensure it falls below the rated
capacity for the weakest part of the rigging system and lifting device.
ii. Estimate the center of gravity of the load and position the lifting equipment
over the center of gravity.
b. Attach the slings to the load:
i. normally at least two points of attachment are appropriate
spanning the center of gravity.
ii. Use slings of the proper length. Never shorten a sling by twisting or knotting.
This not only weakens the sling but it may destroy it for future use.
iii. On chain slings, never use bolts and nuts to secure or shorten the chain.
c. Lifting the load:
i. When all the hazard control measures that were planned are in place, the lift
can proceed.
ii. The designated signaler shall verify that all personnel are in the clear and
shall take control of the lifting area. Only when it is safe will the designated
signaler signal the lifting device operator to continue.
iii. When it is believed that the load is adequately secured, ensure all personnel
are well clear and lift the load slightly and stop it to evaluate the rigging.
iv. If the load is suspended adequately and safely, proceed with the lift.
d. Suspended loads
i. No IPH employee may ever ride a suspended load.
Doing so is grounds for immediate dismissal. Although it is not anticipated that
any exception to this rule will ever be made, it is always possible that an
exceptional situation might arise where this is necessary. In such a situation,
contact one of the owners for permission to make the exception.
ii. Never allow a load to remain suspended when the lifting device is unattended.
5.

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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE

Issued: July 12, 2013

Mechanical Lifts and Suspended Loads.

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