Safe use of Mobile Gantries prevent movement, otherwise brakes applied or other

steps taken to restrain the gantry.

This document is issued in accordance with the
Gantries which are dismantled for storage should be
requirements of section 6 of the Health and Safety at
packed and stored in such a way that all of the
Work Act 1974, amended March 1988. It outlines the
components and structural members are kept together
care and safe us of Mobile Gantries and is based on
safe from loss or incorrect substitution.
section 16 of the LEEA code of practice for the safe use
of lifting equipment*. It should be read in conjunction Installing and Commissioning
with the requirements for lifting appliances for general
Follow the specific instructions for erection issued by the
purposes, given overleaf, which form an integral part of
supplier as these will vary with the design. Never force
these instructions.
or hammer bolts, locking pins etc into place. Damaged
This information is of a general nature only covering the or lost bolts, nuts, washers etc must only be replaced
main points for the safe use of mobile gantries. It may be with identical items of the same grade and size. Never
necessary to supplement this information for specific place ladders or climb on unrestrained gantries.
applications.
Using Mobile Gantries Safely
ALWAYS
Do not use defective gantries, blocks or accessories.
 Store and handle mobile gantries correctly.
Inspect the gantry to ensure it is correctly erected and
 Inspect the gantry, block and accessories before that all bolts, pins etc are correctly in place.
use and before placing into storage.
 Ensure the surface on which the gantry is Position the gantry carefully aligning the runway track
placed is level, even and capable of taking the with the direction of load travel. The block hook must be
imposed loads. directly over the centre of gravity of the load. The
 Position the gantry so that the lifting appliance is standing area must be level and capable of sustaining
directly over the load. the imposed loads. Where necessary use floor plates to
 Where fitted, apply brakes, parking jacks and achieve this. Caution must be exercised to avoid hidden
wheel locks before attempting to raise the load. dangers such as buried cables, pipes etc.
 Disconnect power supplies etc before Ensure the gantry remains stable during lifting
attempting to move the gantry to a new position. operations. If fitted, jacks should be in contact with the
NEVER floor, brakes applied or wheel locks in position.

 Attempt to move a gantry whilst under load. Do not attempt to move a gantry whilst under load.
 Use a vehicle, winch etc to tow a gantry. Avoid swinging loads. The centre of gravity of the load
 Allow the load to swing unduly or in an should always be under the runway centre line.
uncontrolled manner.
Ensure power supply leads etc are disconnected before
 Rotate loads unless the centre of gravity will
moving the gantry to a new position.
remain under the centre line of the runway
beam. In-service Inspection and Maintenance
 Allow persons to pass under suspended loads.
The maintenance requirements may be combined with
 Place ladders or climb on unrestrained gantries.
those of the lifting appliance. Bearings and screw jacks
Selecting the Correct Gantry should be lubricated. The running surface of the track
should be clean and free of debris etc.
Mobile gantries are available in a range of capacities,
sizes and design options. Select the gantry to be used Regularly inspect the gantry and, in the event of the
and plan the lift taking the following into account: following defects, refer the gantry to a competent person
for thorough examination: structural defects, damage,
- Type of gantry- goal post, a frame, fold away, distortion or cracked welds; loose or missing bolts,
adjustable height, self erecting. locking pins etc; damaged wheels, jacks or ineffective
- Capacity- runway height and length braked: damaged or missing runway end stops; any
- Type of bracing- internal, external, boxed or other visible defects.
spliced.
- Type of block and trolley to be used. ©Lifting Equipment Engineers Association 1994 SI No 20.0
- The need for brakes, wheel locks or parking Further information is given in:
jacks. *The code of practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment, published
by: LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION.
Note: mobile gantries are not intended for movement
under load and are portable only to allow their LIFTING APPLIANCES FOR GENERAL PURPOSES
positioning over the load. Special gantries can be made (MANUAL AND POWER OPERATED BLOCKS)
suitable for movement under load, in which case the
supplier’s specific instructions for safe use must be
sought and followed. The following information is based on Section 1-
appendix 1.6 of the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe
Storing and Handling Mobile Gantries Use of Lifting Equipment.* It should be read in
Never return damaged gantries to storage. They should conjunction with the instructions for the safe use, given
be dry, clean and protected from corrosion. overleaf, of which it forms an integral part and with any
specific instructions issued by the supplier.
Gantries left erected for storage should be positioned so
as not to present hazard to persons, goods, vehicles etc
that may be in the area. Where fitted parking jacks
should be used to take the weight off the castors and
This information is of a general nature only covering the Safe Use of Blocks
main points for the safe use of manual and power
The basic objectives of any lifting operation are to move
operated blocks.
the load to the desired location and land it safely,
ALWAYS efficiently and without damage to the load, the
equipment used or the surrounding buildings, plants etc.
 Ensure suspension points and anchorages are In addition to any specific instructions relating to the
adequate for the full imposed load. block the following general points must be observed.
 Check the load chain/wire rope is hanging freely
and is not twisted or knotted.  Never attempt lifting operations unless you have
 Position the hook over the centre of gravity of been trained in the use of the equipment and
the load. slinging procedures.
 Check the travel path is clear.  Position the hook directly over the centre of
 Ensure the landing area in properly prepared. gravity so that the line of pull is vertical.
 Do not use the chain/wire rope to sling the load,
NEVER i.e. do not wrap it round the load, back hook or
 Exceed the marked SWL. choke hitch.
 Use the load chain/wire rope as a sling.  Do not lift on the point of the hook or overcrowd
 Shock load the block or other equipment. the hook with fittings.
 Lift on the point of the hook.  Never lift/lower more than the marked SWL. In
 Overcrowd the hook with fittings. the case of manual equipment is abnormally
 Permit the load to swing out of control. high effort is required, and with power operated
appliance they fail to lift the load, or if the load
 Leave suspended loads unattended.
slips this is an indication of too high a load or a
Types of Blocks fault- check the load and the appliance. Avoid
unnecessary inching of power operated
A wide range of manual and power operated blocks is
appliances and do not impose sudden or shock
available. This section of the leaflet is concerned with
loads.
matters which are common to the safe use of the
following listed equipment when used to lift in a vertical  Push rather than pull loads suspended from
appliances with push/pull trolleys and if un-laden
plane only.
pull on the bottom block hook. Never pull an
Pulley blocks for fibre or wire rope used with winches, appliance by the pendant control, supply cable
hand chain blocks, chain lever hoists, power operated or hose. Avoid sudden movement of travel
wire rope blocks and power operated chain blocks. The motion or undue effort in pushing the load which
use of trolleys is often associated with blocks and these can cause the load to swing.
may be built in with the trolley as an integral part of the  Avoid excessive or intentional use of motion
appliance, or independent with the block hung on. limits unless they are additional limits intended
Operative Training for that purpose. Avoid running appliances
against end stops.
Lifting appliances should only be used by trained  Do not allow anyone to pass under or ride upon
operatives** who understand their use and that of the the load. Never leave suspended loads
associated equipment used in the lift. unattended unless in an emergency then ensure
Installation and Commissioning the area is cordoned off and kept clear.
 Do not remove guards, protective covers,
The erection procedure will vary with the equipment and weather proof covers, heat shields etc without
should be carried out in accordance with the suppliers’ the authority of a competent person.
instructions paying attention to the following matters:
In-Service Inspection and Maintenance
Prior to installation inspect the equipment to ensure no
damage has occurred in store or transit. The Factories Act 1961, and the various regulations
made under the act require that lifting machines or
Ensure the support structure is adequate for the full appliances are properly maintained. This is an ongoing
loads that will be imposed, is tested and marked with the duty that falls on the user and a planned routine
SWL. maintenance programme will be necessary. In addition
When erecting trolleys ensure they are correctly set for to the statutory thorough examinations by a competent
the beam width and that the track is fitted with end stops person, regular in-service inspections should be made to
and remains level at all loads up to the maximum. find any faults and damage that might arise. If any are
found they should be referred to the competent person.
When suspending appliances by the top hook ensure
the support fits freely into the seat of the hook. The maintenance programme must meet the
requirements of the manufacturer’s instructions and any
After erection ensure that the chain/wire rope hangs special requirements due to the conditions of service.
freely and is not twisted or knotted. This may be combined with maintenance of other
With power operated blocks the supply should be equipment used in association with the appliance, e.g.
power feed system. Check the block and its associated
connected by a suitably qualified person taking account
equipment daily for obvious faults and signs of damage.
of any statutory or technical requirements (e.g. electricity
at work regulations, pressure systems and transportable Further information is given in:
gas containers regulations) *LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment.
** HSE Guidance Note GS39- Training of Crane Drivers and Slingers.
Test run to ensure the free and correct movement of the
chain/rope. Check the operation of the brake. Check
direction of control command, position and operation of
travel limits and safety devices.