Slinging and Lifting

The material in this presentation will concentrate on the following: Working in accordance with LOLER Methods of ensuring safe lifting and slinging Equipment to help prepare and position pipework

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998

Came into force on 5 December 1998 Replaced existing legal requirements relating to the use of lifting equipment, e.g. the Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961, the Docks Regulations 1988 and the Lifting Plant and Equipment Regulations 1992 Aim to reduce risks to peoples health and safety from lifting equipment provided for use at work

What does LOLER do?

Require that lifting equipment provided for use at work is:
strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads; positioned and installed to minimise any risks; used safely; subject to ongoing thorough examination and inspection by competent people

Equipment covered by the Regulations

Any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads Attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it Cranes, fork-lift trucks, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms (cherry pickers), and vehicle inspection platform hoists Lifting accessories such as chains, slings, eyebolts etc LOLER does not apply to escalators

To whom do the Regulations apply?

Employers and self-employed persons who either provide lifting equipment, or control the use of lifting equipment in the work area They do not apply if equipment is being provided for use primarily by members of the public Employees do not have specific duties under LOLER, but they do have general duties under the HSW Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)

LOLER requirements
It should be ensured that all lifting equipment is: sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use positioned or installed to prevent the risk of injury visibly marked with any appropriate information to be taken into account for its safe use

LOLER requirements continued

Additionally, it must be ensured that: lifting operations are planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner by people who are competent where equipment is used for lifting people it is marked accordingly, and it should be safe for such a purpose where appropriate, before lifting equipment (including accessories) is used for the first time, it is thoroughly examined

How the Regulations relate to other health and safety legislation

Section 2 of the HSW Act requires all employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees The MHSWR contain important duties which relate to the carrying out of a risk assessment to identify measures that can be taken to eliminate, or reduce, the risks presented by the particular hazards in the workplace The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, may also apply

How are the Regulations enforced?

Health and safety inspectors enforce the Regulations If employers have duties under LOLER they will be given time to assimilate any new requirements Where there are serious risks, or the requirements are not new, inspectors will be prepared to take firm enforcement action

Slinging and Lifting basic guidance

Always:
Ensure that only authorised slingers/signallers attach or detach loads or signal the crane/lifting plant operator Discuss operations with the crane/lifting plant operator Before lifting, ensure capacity of crane/lifting plant is sufficient to land the load Include the weight of the chain/slings etc in the load on the lifting hook Seek expert advice when using lifting tackle Obtain information that pre-fabricated rebar assemblies

Slinging and Lifting basic guidance

Never:
Wrap hand/tag lines around the body Use tie wires or banding to lift loads Leave a suspended load unattended Pass loads over the public Use lifting accessories for pulling or towing Ride or climb on lifting machines or suspended loads Lift near power lines Stand or walk beneath a load

Chain slings
Chain slings are generally the most versatile type of sling, as well as the most robust. General purpose chain slings can have either one, two, three or four legs

Shortening clutches
Shortening clutches enabling a multi legged sling to have different length legs to adjust the loads are available for chains. Clutches must be correctly fitted to avoid failure or shortening of the chain life

Note: the allowable lifting weight is reduced when all the legs of a chain sling are not being used

Wire rope slings

These are normally used for specific items, as they are cheaper than chain slings and can be made to exact lengths for loads that require odd leg lengths

Round and webbing slings

These are used for loads that can be easily damaged. The slings are light and easy to handle but they can be susceptible to damage, and they must be protected from sharp edges and from sliding along the load if used at an angle

End fittings
The end fittings on chain slings will generally be either sling hooks ) or C hooks. Both of these are designed to minimise the risk of the load slipping out of the hook. Of the two, the C hook is designed not to catch on obstructions; it is more robust and does not have a easily damaged safety catch. Special purpose fittings such as shackles are also used for lifting pipes.

End fittings continued

Equipment checking/choice of sling

The choice of sling construction, length and end fittings depends on:
The load being lifted The weight of the load The size of the load The shape of the load Whether or not sling attachment points have been provided Whether the load can be easily damaged Whether the load is a single item or a bundle of loose items Whether the load is on a pallet

Equipment checking/choice of sling continued

Other points to note include:
The larger the load, the longer the length of sling required Long slender loads should be slung with the sling legs at least one third of the length of the load apart For frequent usual lifts, the slinger/signaller should choose the appropriate type of sling or chain in accordance with established company/centre procedures For special lifts the slinger/signaller must use the equipment specified in the method statement

Safe use of slings

Shackles must always be used on lifting hooks if more than one sling is to be connected to it, or if the hook is likely to become overcrowded by the ends of the same sling. The angle between the sling legs and the hook must never exceed 90

Safe use of slings continued

Protecting the load or sling

The sling and/or load may require protection from damage. If the sling passes round any sharp corners, then suitable packing should be used to protect the sling and/or the corners of the load. It is common to use timber packing near the corners of loads and to slip lengths of tube over projections such as beam flanges

Two-legged slings
For two-legged slings the angle between the legs of the sling determines its safe working load (SWL):
A two-legged sling will be marked with its SWL at 90, and this applies to all sling angles from 0-90 The sling may also be marked with its SWL at 120, and this will apply for angles between 90 and 120 These SWL assume that both legs are equally loaded, and that each leg is straight Never us any two-legged sling not marked with the SWL for the angle being used, or for any angles greater than 120

Two-legged slings continued

It is good practice to keep the angle to between 60 and 90. With the sling at smaller angles, the load is more likely to tip-up and may even slide out of the slings where basket or choke hitches are used.

Three-legged slings
For three-legged slings, the maximum angle between the legs of the sling and the vertical will determine the safe working load (SWL):
A three-legged sling will be marked with its SWL at 45 and this applies for all angles from 0 - 45 The SWL for a three-legged sling assumes that all legs are equally loaded, and that each leg is at the same angle Never use any three-legged sling not marked with the SWL for the angle being used, or for angles greater than 45

Three-legged slings continued

It is generally good practice to keep the angle to between 30 and 45. With the slings at smaller angles the load is more likely to tip-up.

Three-legged slings continued

If the sling is to be used with less than three legs, the SWL should be determined by multiplying the SWL by the factor shown in the table below: Legs 2 1 SWL x 0.66 0.33

Four-legged slings
For four-legged slings, the maximum angle between opposite legs of the sling will determine its safe working load (SWL):
A four-legged sling will be marked with its SWL at 90 and will apply for all angles from 0 - 90 It may also be marked with its SWL at 120 which will apply for angles between 90 and 120 The SWL for a four-legged sling assumes that all legs are equally loaded and that each leg is straight Never use any four-legged sling not marked with the SWL for the angle being used, or for angles greater than 120

Four-legged slings continued

It is generally good practice to keep the angle to between 60 and 90. With the slings at smaller angles the load is more likely to tip-up.

Four-legged slings continued

If the sling is used with less than four legs, the SWL should be determined by multiplying the SWL by the factor shown in the table below: Legs 3 2 1 SWL x 0.75 0.5 0.25

Methods of Slinging
SWL factors also apply according to the type of sling and how it is used. The same principles also apply to multi-legged slings Examples for various types of single legged slings are shown in the following slide

Types of Slings

SWL Factors for common slings

METHOD OF USE
Single leg inline Single leg choked Single leg basket 090 Single leg back hooked Single Leg halshed Endless in-line Endless choked Endless Basket 0-90

SLING MATERIAL

Chain Wire Rope Webbing Fibre Rope Round

1 1 1 1 N/A

0.8 1 0.8 0.8 N/A

1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 N/A

1 1 N/A 1 N/A

1.5 2 N/A N/A N/A

N/A 1 1 1 1

1 1 0.8 0.8 0.8

N/A 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4

Sling hooks
When slinging, hooks must always face outwards from the lifting point.

Choke hitch
Do not batter down slings to increase the grip, allow the angle to form naturally. The maximum permitted angle is 120.

Webbing slings
Wide webbing slings cannot be used at a sideways angle where the sling would not be equally loaded across its width.

Hand tag lines

In certain circumstances hand/tag lines should be attached to the load to prevent the load swinging or spinning, and to help in landing it in the right place.

Regular sized pipe lengths

When lifting bundles of pipe, slings should be double wrapped. The image shows slings in the double wrap choke hitch. SWL factor for chain slings used in this way is 0.8.

Palletised loads
An example of a frequently lifted load that requires special equipment is a pallet of fittings/accessories. When covered by safety netting, the mesh size should be smaller than the smallest item to be lifted.

Beams
Use double wrapped slings when sling legs can slide together. SWL for chain slings used in this way is 0.8.

Columns
Columns should be lifted using purpose designed lifting points or brackets.

Stillages/fitting bins
Wrap slings round corner posts and do not attempt to lift double stacked stillages. Beware of overloading scaffold boards if landing loaded stillages on a scaffold. SWL factor for chain slings used in this way is 0.8.

Rubbish skips
Typical arrangement of special sling is with steel box sections under skip, and steel tube spreaders to keep sling legs vertical. Keyhole plates on skip lugs are for location purposes not for lifting. Skips with specially adapted lifting points are acceptable providing thorough examination is undertaken at 6 month intervals. Beware of rusted skip bottoms, as these can fall out when the skip is lifted.

Pipes (larger diameter)

For short pipes, pass sling through pipe. SWL factor for webbing slings used in this way is 1.4.

Pipes (larger diameter) continued

For long pipes, use two slings in choke hitch, double wrapping if slings are likely to slide together.

Pipes (larger diameter) continued

Where a pipe is being placed into an adjacent trench, a single webbing sling can be used.

The Lift
Before lifting the following must be considered:
Are the slings undamaged and properly attached to the load? Is the crane hoist rope vertical? Is the load free to be lifted i.e. not fixed to anything else? Are the legs of a multi-legged sling equally loaded? Are the slings free of knots, tangles etc Are all spare legs of the sling hooked up to the master link on the lifting hook? Is the safety catch on the lifting hook closed Are there any obstructions above the load preventing a straight lift Is the master link on the lifting hook free and in the centre of the bowl of the hook? Are all personnel clear of the load?

The Lift continued

Before lifting the following must be considered:
Is there a slinger/signaller in position to receive the load? Is the landing site prepared to take the load? Are the weather conditions acceptable? If required, are hand/tag lines attached to the load? Are there sufficient slingers/signallers in position to keep an eye on the load at all times during the lift and to direct the crane operator?

Taking the weight

Once the load has been lifted a short distance above the ground, check that:
The load is balanced and stable The legs of the sling are at the correct angles Any packing pieces are in place and sound The load itself is not over stressed

During the lift

The load can now be lifted and moved to its landing area. While in the air, avoid:
Where possible, passing over personnel working on the site The public Power lines Projecting scaffolding Air space violation

Landing the Load

Before landing the load, check that:
The landing area will take the weight of the load There is sufficient weight for the load There are strips of timber or similar on which to land the load such that the slings can be easily removed by hand

After the lift

Only authorised slingers/signallers are to detach slings from the load. Take care with bundles of pipe/tube and similar items as they can collapse when landed and pipes can roll The legs of the sling should now be hooked back onto the master link, shackle etc on the crane hook.

Signalling
If radios are chosen, the following method of use should be followed:
All instructions must be repeated continuously for example Lower, Lower, Lower. until the movement is complete If the instructions stop getting through to the crane operator the load should be brought to a halt immediately This will help guard against failure of the radio system

Signalling continued
If hand signals are used, the following signals should be employed ensuring that:
There is always a line of sight between the signaller and the crane operator The signaller faces the crane operator whenever signalling Visiting crane operators understood the standard hand signals as detailed in the following slides

Signalling continued

Signalling continued

Signalling continued

Signalling continued

Signalling continued