Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173:body:0:p73
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 189876–192690

16.1              Lifting equipment
All lifting equipment used on board ship should be of good design, sound construction and material, adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, free from defect, properly installed or assembled and properly maintained.
The person in command must keep an up-to-date register of material handling equipment which includes a ship's lifting gear in accordance with Marine Order 32. This register should be kept in an accessible place on the ship.
Lifting equipment must be tested, examined and certified by a competent person. The record of tests and inspections should be included in or attached to the register.
Lifting equipment must not be used unless it is clearly marked with its safe working load, including the safe working load at various operating positions.
A pre-operational inspection should be carried out for ship based cranes to check:
       crane brakes, limiting devices and emergency controls are fully operational
       for obstructions impairing safe operation e.g. oil, debris or structures like cable trench, rollers and rail tracks
       the safety of crane access ladders or stairs including surfaces and lighting, and
       emergency escape provisions are provided and suitable.
For rail-mounted cranes, inspections should include ensuring:
       track wheels at deck level are fitted with foot guards
       collision prevention devices are fitted where more than one crane is located on the same track, and
       locking devices on overside extensions are engaged.
Control measures for handling suspended loads include:
       implementing exclusion zones to ensure workers are clear of the active arc of travel while loads are being lifted or lowered, and
       prohibiting working or walking under suspended loads.
Persons operating equipment should have a clear view of the operations. If this is not possible, a signaller should be placed at a safe point clearly visible to the equipment operator and from the area of work. When using radios a dedicated frequency should be selected for the duration of the crane operations to prevent interference with other radio equipment being used in the vicinity of the crane. Work should stop immediately if there is a loss of communication.
Hoisting or lowering, whether by crane or by chain blocks, should be performed only after all persons involved have been informed of the intended action.
Where lifting or eye bolts are used, the thread on the bolt and in the part to be lifted should be clean and in good condition, and the threaded part fully screwed home and locked before any lifting is applied.
Any friction fit, tightness or adhesion of the part of any load being lifted should be broken by wedges or tapping, and not by increasing the load on the lifting appliance, as