SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

LIFTING EQUIPMENT
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
All slings and lifting gear are to conform to the relevant Australian Standards or other prescribed Standard.
2.
Commercial grade equipment which is not marked with the WLL MUST NOT BE USED for load-bearing purposes.
3.
ALL LOADS OVER 1 TONNE and uneven loads MUST BE SLUNG by or under the direct instruction of a qualified dogman or rigger ONLY.

Task sequence
1. Standards

Identified hazards in task

Failure of components
Incompatibility of parts

2. Selection

Overloading of components
Damage to load or lifting
equipment
Loss of control of load

3. Inspection

Failure of equipment

4. Use

Failure of equipment
Detachment from load
Detachment from crane
hook
Damage to equipment

Cuts, etc, to hands

SWP329 Version 1.2

Key processes to be followed

Approved lifting equipment will be carry identifying marks which indicate
the Working Load Limit (WWL) or the grade of the material (ie.Grade T).
Commercial or merchant grade equipment may appear similar to
approved fittings, but may not match with other fittings when assembled.
Ensure that lifting gear will be able to safely carry the load to be lifted.
Refer to load charts or load plate on sets to ensure that legs of multi-leg sling
sets or angular objects being lifted do not reduce WWL to unsafe level.
Protect slings and loads at sharp corners with soft packing, or use flexible
slings (e.g. synthetic slings) to lift angular or soft loads.
Hooks and fittings must be of a type which will not allow the load or part of
the lifting tackle to separate, loosen or dislodge during lifting of loads.
All lifting equipment should be inspected daily before use.
Lifting equipment should be inspected by an accredited tester annually.
Always check load charts to ensure that lifting equipment will not be
overloaded due to shape and size of load, or by slinging methods.
Ensure that lifting equipment used is compatible with other components.
Use positive closure fittings (e.g. shackles, safety-latch hooks, etc) to
prevent detachment from load when lifting.
Always ensure that legs of chain sling sets are not twisted, as tendency to
straighten out under load can cause ring to roll onto hook latch and detach.
Do not allow a load to settle with sling between load and surface.
Never attempt to pull a sling from under a load using crane or machine.
Keep equipment clean dirt, etc, can carry grit which will damage slings.
Avoid exposing lifting equipment to heat, corrosives, salt water, etc.
Do not allow plant or vehicles to run over slings, chains, ropes or fittings.
Slings and sets in use may develop rough and sharp edges and burrs.
Wire ropes may pose risk of hand injury from broken wires.

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Precautions / PPE required

Unidentified or unmarked lifting
equipment MUST NOT BE USED
for load bearing purposes.
Always use equipment with the
same WWL to maintain correct
clearances between components
and to prevent overloading of
components with a lower WWL.
Use approved safety hooks and
fittings to attach loads and slings.
Refer to section 7for further
information regarding inspection.
Do not overload components.
Larger sized components may
place additional stress on other
components due to increased
diameter or size of the fitting not
matching other parts.
Use dunnage between load and
surface.

Wear suitable gloves to protect

hands when handling slings.

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SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

LIFTING EQUIPMENT
Task sequence
5. Cleaning & maintenance

Identified hazards in task

Damage to equipment

6. Storage

Damage to equipment

7. Specific inspection
procedures

Wire rope cables and

slings
Chain slings and sets
Synthetic slings
Terminal fittings
Statutory testing

8. Lifting equipment used

with hired lifting plant

In-service failure

Key processes to be followed

Thoroughly clean all dirt, oil, grease, etc from slings and fittings.
Replace all worn or faulty fittings with compatible fittings.
All maintenance must be carried out by a suitable skilled competent person.
Provide secure clean storage for lifting equipment.
Hang slings and chain sets from pegs, etc, high enough to allow them to
hang straight.
Inspect wire ropes for evidence of wear, damage, broken wires, or kinks.
Inspect swaged fittings and thimbles; discard if evidence of damage.
Inspect chains and fittings for cracks, wear, damage or distortion.
Remove faulty slings and sets from service and repair or destroy.
Inspect covers of round slings for wear, burns or cuts. Check load indicators.
Inspect webbing slings for cuts, wear or stretching; check eyes and stitching.
Inspect hooks and fittings for cracks, wear, damage or distortion.
Keep lightly oiled to maintain movement and to prevent corrosion.
Slings and sets used on construction and other high-risk work, or which are
hired out with cranes, etc, must be inspected and tested annually by a NATA
accredited testing facility.
All slings and sets provided with hires-out machinery should be clearly
marked with the WWL and load plates.
Slings, etc, on hired-out machinery must carry a current test tag.
Slings, sets and fittings must be inspected before and after each hire.

Precautions / PPE required

Do not use aggressive cleaners.
Check WWL of all components.
No unauthorised repairs.
Do not allow lifting equipment to
be dumped on floor and tangle.
Visually inspect slings before use.
Discard if more than 10% of wires
broken in length equal to Dia x 8.
Repairs to chain slings and sets to
be done by competent person only.
Keep slings clean to prevent grit
entering and damaging strands.
Keep fittings clean of oil, grease
and dirt.
Equipment must be fitted with a
current test tag.
Do not use out-of-test equipment.
Ensure that slings and sets are
suitable for the mass and type of
loads to be lifted.
Provide protection for slings.

PRECAUTIONS:
The following precautions are to be observed where these
procedures are carried out.

SWP329 Version 1.2

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

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