Occupational Safety Training Materials for Operating Lifting Equipment

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The document for the occupational safety training course on operating lifting equipment helps workers gain safety knowledge and prevent hazards when working with lifting and lowering devices.

I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE SAFETY DOCUMENT FOR OPERATING LIFTING EQUIPMENT

Lifting equipment consists of machine combinations with metal structures that bear immense forces during operation. We often encounter this equipment on construction sites. These devices are used for lifting and lowering extremely heavy objects and various types of goods. Therefore, working with this equipment is very dangerous, and workers must pay extreme attention to the safety of this lifting equipment during the work process.

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II. SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR USING LIFTING EQUIPMENT

1. All lifting equipment that falls under the category of machines and devices with safety requirements as stipulated by the state must be registered and inspected before being put into operation.
2. The user unit is only permitted to use lifting equipment that is in good technical condition, has been registered, and has a valid inspection period. It is not permitted to use lifting equipment and load-bearing parts that have not been inspected and registered for use.
3. Only individuals who have been trained and certified are allowed to operate lifting equipment. Those who attach loads and give signals must be professional riggers or workers from other trades who have undergone training.
4. Workers operating lifting equipment must be thoroughly familiar with the technical specifications and functions of the equipment’s parts and mechanisms, and must also understand the safety requirements during its use.
5. Lifting equipment may only be used in accordance with its intended function, purpose, and the technical specifications provided by the manufacturer. Lifting loads exceeding the equipment’s weight capacity is not permitted.
6. It is not permitted to use lifting equipment with lifting mechanisms that are engaged or disengaged by friction or jaw clutches for lifting, lowering, and moving people, molten metal, explosive materials, toxic substances, or cylinders containing compressed gas or liquid.
7. Transporting loads with lifting equipment over workshops, residential buildings, or areas with people is only permitted when specific safety measures are in place to eliminate the possibility of incidents and occupational accidents.
8. Using two or more lifting devices to lift a single load is only allowed in special cases and requires a calculated and approved safety plan. The load distributed to each piece of equipment must not exceed its capacity. The safety plan must include a rigging diagram, a load movement diagram, and specify the sequence of operations, as well as the required dimensions, materials, and manufacturing technology for any auxiliary rigging equipment. An experienced person in lifting operations must be assigned to supervise the entire process.
9. During the use of lifting equipment, the following are not permitted:
   • People getting on or off the lifting equipment while it is in operation.
   • People within the swing radius of a crane’s rotating part.
   • People in the operating area of lifting equipment that uses magnets, vacuum lifters, or grabs.
   • Lifting, lowering, and moving loads while people are on the load.
   • Lifting an unstable load or using only one side of a double hook.
   • Lifting a load that is buried, pinned under other objects, or attached by bolts or concrete to other objects.
   • Using the lifting equipment to pull out cables or chains that are pinned under a load.
   • Moving a load through a window or balcony without a receiving platform.
   • Reversing the direction of a mechanism before it has come to a complete stop.
   • Lifting a load greater than the rated capacity corresponding to the crane’s reach and outrigger position.
   • Side pulling or dragging a load.
   • Having people push or pull the load while the lifting mechanism is raising or lowering it.
10. A clear path must be ensured for the operator when controlling the lifting equipment with a push-button pendant from the ground or floor.
11. When overhead cranes and mobile gantry cranes are in operation, access ways to and from the tracks must be barricaded.
12. People are prohibited from being on the walkways of overhead and gantry cranes while they are in operation. Cleaning, lubricating, and repair work on overhead and gantry cranes are only permitted when safety measures (preventing falls, electric shock, etc.) are implemented.
13. The user unit must establish and implement a system of signals between the rigger and the equipment operator. The signals used must be clearly defined and distinct from other surrounding phenomena.
14. When the equipment operator cannot see the load throughout the entire lifting, lowering, and moving process, a signal person must be assigned.
15. Before lifting a load that is close to the maximum capacity, it must be lifted to a height of no more than 300mm and held there to check the brakes, the strength of the metal structure, and the stability of the crane. If it is not safe, the load must be lowered for correction.
16. When lifting and moving loads near structures, equipment, or obstacles, the safety of these structures, equipment, and nearby people must be ensured.
17. Lifting equipment operating outdoors must cease operation when the wind speed exceeds the permissible speed specified in its design.
18. For lifting equipment operating outdoors, it is not permitted to hang banners, posters, slogans, or coverings that increase the wind resistance area of the equipment.
19. Rail clamps and anti-travel devices on tower cranes, gantry cranes, and portal cranes must be engaged at the end of a work shift or when wind speeds exceed the permissible limit. In case of a storm, additional reinforcement measures must be taken for these types of cranes.
20. Loads may only be lowered to a designated position where the possibility of falling, tipping, or sliding is eliminated. Slings may only be removed from hooks after the structures or components have been securely and stably fixed.
21. Before lowering a load into a trench, pit, or well, the empty hook must be lowered to the lowest position to check the number of remaining rope wraps on the drum. Lifting and lowering the load is only permitted if there are more than 1.5 wraps of rope remaining on the drum.
22. Operation of the lifting equipment must be stopped when:
    • Permanent deformation of the metal structure is detected.
    • The brake of any mechanism is found to be faulty.
    • The hook, cable, pulley, or drum is found to be worn beyond the permissible limit, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
    • The track of the lifting equipment is found to be damaged or does not meet technical requirements.
23. When loading or unloading onto transport vehicles, the stability of the vehicle must be ensured.
24. The rigger is only allowed to approach the load when it has been lowered to a height of no more than 1 meter from the surface where the rigger is standing.
25. Lifting equipment must be periodically maintained. Damaged or excessively worn parts must be repaired or replaced.

When repairing or replacing parts of the lifting equipment, safety measures must be ensured.
After replacing or repairing important components such as the metal structure, cables, hooks, brakes, etc., an inspection with a load test must be conducted before the equipment is put back into service.

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III. PARTS REQUIRING ATTENTION WHEN OPERATING LIFTING EQUIPMENT

This lifting equipment is not like other devices; it is extremely dangerous if any negligence occurs during operation. Therefore, workers need to focus on matters related to the safety of the operator as well as pay attention to the parts of the lifting equipment such as:

• Chain: This is a load-bearing part that directly affects lifting and carrying. The strength of the chain needs to be thoroughly tested before use. Never use chains whose links are worn by more than 10% of their original size.
• Cable: Must be of sufficient length, suitable for the required lifting and lowering distances. If the cable is used for slinging, pay attention that the angle between the cable legs does not exceed 90 degrees. Do not use cables that are incompatible with the lifting equipment. Regularly check the cable for wear and friction; if there are signs of wear or aging, it must be replaced immediately to ensure safety.
• Pulley and Drum: Must have a diameter that meets construction requirements. They must be structured to be compatible with the working mode and requirements. If cracks are detected or if they have been used for too long, they must be replaced immediately.
• Brake: This is an important part that helps stop the equipment’s operations, ensuring the safety of the lifting equipment. The brake shoe is considered the most important part of the brake, so it needs to be calculated and selected appropriately. If there are any signs of uncertainty, it must be replaced immediately to avoid danger.

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IV. PROHIBITIONS WHEN OPERATING LIFTING EQUIPMENT

• Workers are forbidden to stand between the load and an obstacle. It is forbidden to stand under the boom’s reach, including within the radius of the boom if the stay wire breaks, and in the space in front of and behind the turntable of the lifting equipment.
• Lifting beyond the permissible load capacity of the equipment is forbidden.
• Lifting a load onto a truck bed while someone is standing on the truck bed is forbidden.
• Lifting a load with the cable at an angle (side loading) and dragging a load along the ground are forbidden.
• Lifting a load that is buried, pinned under other objects, or connected to a foundation or other objects is forbidden.
• A minimum distance from the lifting equipment and load to power lines must always be maintained.
• People getting on or off the lifting equipment while it is in operation.
• People in the operating area of the lifting equipment.

• Lifting, lowering, and moving a load while people are on the load.
• Lifting a load that is unstable or improperly rigged (unbalanced, missing hooks).
• Lifting a load that is buried, pinned under other objects, or attached to other objects.
• Reversing the direction of a mechanism before it has come to a complete stop.
• Side pulling or dragging a load is forbidden in the safety document for operating lifting equipment.
• Having people push or pull the load while the lifting mechanism is raising or lowering it.

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V. LIFTING EQUIPMENT MUST CEASE OPERATION WHEN

• The brake shows signs of failure.
• Cracks appear in metal connections or structures. Worn components such as hooks, drums, rails, etc., do not meet technical safety standards.
• The safe and technically correct loading and unloading of materials cannot be guaranteed.
• The track of the lifting equipment is damaged or does not meet technical requirements.
• When loading and unloading materials onto transport vehicles, the safety of the vehicles must be ensured.
• The person rigging or unrigging the load is only allowed to approach when the load has been lowered to a height of no more than one (1) meter from the surface where the person is standing.
• Do not move the load when the distance from the load to objects below is less than 0.5 meters. Do not use the crane to push or pull other equipment.
• Personnel in the cabin and on the ground must be familiar with the signals specified in the current technical safety regulations for lifting equipment.
• For overhead cranes, unauthorized personnel are forbidden on the crane. Use designated routes for access and movement. It is forbidden to stick one’s head, hands, or feet into the cabin’s range of motion.
• Anyone wishing to enter the cabin must stand on the walkway and signal the crane operator in the cabin. Only after receiving the operator’s permission, enter the cabin, close the door immediately, and stand in a safe place. It is forbidden to stick one’s head, hands, or feet outside.

• Lifting and lowering of containers is only permitted when the rigger is in a safe position. Do not allow parts of the crane and the load-carrying device to collide with vehicles or other equipment. When changing the load-carrying device, follow the correct procedure to ensure safety.
• When using an overhead crane to load a rail car, personnel on the ground must stand at least three (3) meters away from the car; when unloading, the grab bucket must be 0.3 – 0.5 meters above the side of the car.
• When two people are working together, one person must be assigned as the primary responsible person, and they must be able to constantly observe each other’s work.

VI. NOTES FOR WORKERS WHEN WORKING WITH LIFTING EQUIPMENT

• Only rig or unrig the load when it has been lowered to a height of less than one meter.
• Do not move the load when it is less than 0.5 meters away from objects in front of it.
• Must understand the signals between the person in the cabin and the person on the ground.
• Do not stick your head, hands, or feet into the cabin’s range of motion; unauthorized personnel are forbidden near the crane.
• To enter the cabin, there must be a clear understanding between the crane operator and the person entering.
• Do not let the load collide with other objects, vehicles, or equipment.

– Always have a clear assignment of duties and mutual understanding when two people are working together.

VII. FURTHER REFERENCES FOR THE SAFETY DOCUMENT ON OPERATING LIFTING EQUIPMENT

1. Group 3 Safety Training and Certification Service

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2. Group 3 Occupational Safety Test for the Safety Document on Operating Lifting Equipment

• Group 3 Occupational Safety Multiple Choice Test

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3. Price List for Occupational Safety Training Services

• See details

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4. Download the document

• Download the safety training document for operating lifting equipment