S.I. No. 481/2001 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001

• (3) Timber used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality, be in good condition, and have the bark completely stripped off.

• (4) Timber used for scaffolds, trestles, ladders, and folding step ladders shall not be so painted or treated that defects cannot easily be seen.

• (5) Metal parts used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality and be in good condition and free from corrosion or other patent defect likely to affect their strength.

Defective Material

• (2) No rope or bond, which is defective whether through contact with an acid or other corrosive substance or otherwise, shall be used.

• (3) All material and parts for scaffolds shall when not in use be kept under good conditions and apart from any materials or parts unsuitable for scaffolds.

Maintenance of Scaffolds

Partly Erected or Dismantled Scaffolds

• (2) In case a scaffold or part of a scaffold which is partly erected or partly dismantled does not comply with this Part of these Regulations either

• (a) a prominent warning notice indicating that the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is not to be used is affixed near any point at which the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is liable to be approached for the purpose of use, or

• (b) access to the scaffold or part, as the case may be, shall be prevented by suitable barriers or other equally effective means.

Standards or Uprights, Ledgers and Putlogs

• (a) where practicable, be either vertical or slightly inclined towards the building or other structures, and

• (b) be fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of the scaffold having regard to all the circumstances.

• (2) The foot or base of any such standard or upright shall be placed on an adequate base plate in a manner to prevent slipping or sinking, or its displacement shall be prevented in some other sufficient way.

• (3) Ledgers of scaffolds shall be as nearly as possible horizontal and shall be securely fastened to the standards or uprights by efficient means.

• (4) Putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be securely fastened to the ledgers or to the standards or uprights or their movement shall be prevented by other efficient means, and where one end of a putlog is supported by a wall, that end shall extend into or on to the wall sufficiently to provide a supporting surface of sufficient area.

• (5) The distance between two consecutive putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be fixed with due regard to the anticipated load and the nature of the platform flooring.

Stability of Scaffolds

• (2) Every structure and appliance used as a support for a scaffold shall be of sound construction, have a firm footing or be firmly supported and shall, where necessary, be sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to prevent collapse and to ensure stability.

• (3) Every scaffold, not being a suspended scaffold or slung scaffold, which can be moved on wheels or skids shall -

• (a) be constructed with due regard to stability and, if necessary for stability, be adequately weighted at the base,

• (b) be used only on a firm and even surface not so sloping as to involve risk of instability of the scaffold or any load thereon,

• (c) be adequately secured to prevent movement when any person is working upon it or upon any ladder or other plant or equipment, being a ladder or plant or equipment which is supported by the scaffold, and

• (d) be moved only by the application of force at or near the base.

• (4) Loose bricks, drain pipes, chimney pots or other unsuitable material shall not be used for the construction or support of scaffolds.

Slung Scaffolds

• (a) it is suitable and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used,

• (b) it is properly and securely fastened to safe anchorage points and to the scaffold ledgers or other main supporting members,

• (c) it is so placed as to ensure stability of the scaffold,

• (d) it is as nearly vertical as is practicable, and

• (e) it is kept taut.

• (2) No rope other than a wire rope shall be used for the suspension of a slung scaffold.

• (3) Where chains or wire ropes are used for the suspension of a slung scaffold, steps shall be taken to prevent such chains or wire ropes coming into contact at points of suspension with edges where this would cause danger.

• (4) Every slung scaffold shall be secured to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is used as a working platform.

Cantilever, Jib, Figure and Bracket Scaffolds

• (2) No figure or bracket scaffold supported or held by dogs, spikes, or similar fixings liable to pull out of the stone work, brickwork or other surface in which they are gripped or fixed shall be used.

Support for Scaffolds, etc.

Suspended Scaffolds (not power operated)

• (a) every suspended scaffold, and

• (b) plant or equipment which is permanent plant or equipment of a building and which, but for the fact that it is permanently provided, would be a suspended scaffold,

which is not raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance or power driven lifting appliances and no such suspended scaffold, plant or equipment shall be used unless it complies with the requirements of this Regulation.

• (2) In this Regulation, references to suspended scaffolds shall include references to plant or equipment referred to in paragraph (1)(b).

• (3) Every suspended scaffold shall be provided with adequate and suitable chains or ropes and winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices and shall be suspended from suitable outriggers, joists, runways, rail tracks or other equally safe anchorage.

• (4) The winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices of a suspended scaffold shall be -

• (a) provided with a brake or similar device which comes into operation when the operating handle or lever is released, and

• (b) adequately protected against the effects of weather, dust or material likely to cause damage.

• (5) The suspension ropes or chains of a suspended scaffold shall be -

• (a) securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the platform framework or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be, and

• (b) kept in tension.

• (6) Every part of a suspended scaffold and all plant and equipment, including supports, outriggers and counter weights, used for the purposes thereof shall be of good design and construction, suitable and sound material, of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained, and, where constructed of metal, shall be free from corrosion and other patent defects, being corrosion and defects likely materially to affect its strength.

• (7) Adequate arrangements shall be made to prevent undue tipping, tilting or swinging of a suspended scaffold and to secure it to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is being used as a working platform.

Boatswain's Chairs, Skips etc. (Not Power Operated)

• (a) it is of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength, free from patent defect and properly maintained,

• (b) the outriggers or other supports are of adequate strength and properly installed and supported,

• (c) the chains, ropes, lifting gear or other means of suspension used therewith are securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be,

• (d) suitable means are provided to prevent any person at work falling out,

• (e) it is free of materials or articles liable to interfere with such person's handhold or foothold or otherwise endanger him,

• (f) suitable measures are taken to prevent spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any such person,

• (g) in the case of any skip or other receptacle it is at least 950 millimetres deep, and has at least a toe board, a main handrail and an intermediate handrail,

• (h) its installation has been, and its use is, supervised by a competent person.

• (2) No boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment, other than a boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment which is raised or lowered by a power driven lifting appliance, shall be used as a workplace in circumstances in which a suspended scaffold could be used unless the work is of such short duration as to make the use of a suspended scaffold unreasonable or the use of a suspended scaffold is not practicable.

Trestle Scaffolds

• (2) A trestle scaffold shall not be used if constructed with more than one tier.

• (3) No trestle scaffold shall be erected on a scaffold platform unless -

• (a) the width of the said platform is such as to leave sufficient clear space for the transport of materials along the platform, and

• (b) the trestles or supports are firmly attached to the said platform and adequately braced to prevent displacement.

Inspection of Scaffolds, Boatswain's Chairs etc.

• (a) it has been inspected by a competent person before being taken into use;

• (b) it has been inspected by a competent person since any modification, period without use, exposure to bad weather or seismic tremors, or any other circumstance which may have affected its strength or stability or displaced any part of it,

• (c) it has been inspected by a competent person since being taken into use, at least once within the previous seven days, and

• (d) a report has been made of the results of every such inspection in the approved form and signed by the person making the inspection.

• (2) Paragraph (1)(d) shall

• (a) not apply to a trestle scaffold or a scaffold from any part of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres,

• (b) not be construed as requiring a scaffold to be inspected by reason only of the fact that it has been added to, altered or partly dismantled.

Scaffolds used by Employees of Different Contractors

Construction of Working Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs

• (2) Working platforms, gangways and runs shall be of a sufficient width to allow the safe passage of persons at work and of materials where appropriate.

• (3) Working platforms shall be of sufficient width to afford adequate working space at every part.

Decking of Working Platforms, Gangways and Runs

• (2) No board, plank or other decking which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall project beyond its end support to a distance which, having regard to the thickness and strength of the decking, renders the projecting part of the decking an unsafe support for any weight liable to be upon it unless it is effectively secured to prevent tipping.

• (3) Suitable measures shall be taken by the provision of adequate bevelled pieces or otherwise to reduce to a minimum the risk of tripping and to facilitate the movement of barrows where boards, planks or other decking which form part of a working platform, gangway or run overlap each other, or are not of reasonably uniform thickness where they meet each other, or, owing to warping or for some other reason, do not provide an even surface.

• (4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply to a working platform, gangway or run one side of which is contiguous to a curved surface of any cylindrical or spherical structure.

• (5) Every board, plank or other decking which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall -

• (a) rest securely and evenly on its supports, and

• (b) rest on at least three supports unless, taking into account the distance between the supports and the thickness of the board, plank, or other decking, the conditions are such as to prevent undue or unequal sagging.

Guard-rails and toe-boards at working platforms and workplaces

• (2) Guard rails and toe-boards or other barriers required to be provided under paragraph (1) shall be so placed as to prevent, so far as practicable, the fall of persons at work, materials and articles from the working platform or workplace.

• (3) Without prejudice to the generality of Regulation 55, the outward movement of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers, shall, unless they are so designed and used as to prevent such movement, be prevented by placing them on the inside of the uprights or by other equally effective means.

• (4) Where guard-rails are required to be provided, the distance between any toe-board or other barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres.

• (5) On the side of a suspended scaffold next to the wall or working face -

• (a) guard-rails required by this Regulation need not extend to a height of more than 700 millimetres above the platform if the work is impracticable with a guard-rail at a greater height; and

• (b) guard-rails and toe-boards or other barriers shall not be required if persons sit at the edge of the platform to work and ropes or chains affording all such persons a safe and secure handhold are provided.

• (6) Subject to paragraph (7), paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) shall not apply to -

• (a) a platform which is used only in the course of erecting any framework or prefabricated unit forming part of a building or other permanent structure for the purposes of joining, bolting up, riveting or welding work and which is used for such a short period as to make the provision of guardrails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable, if the following requirements are complied with, namely -

• (i) the platform is of sufficient width,

• (ii) except where a person at work cannot fall from the platform a distance exceeding 2.00 metres, there is adequate handhold, and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling,

and

• (iii) the platform is not used for the deposit of materials or articles otherwise than in boxes or receptacles suitable to prevent the fall of the materials or articles from the platform;

• (b) a temporary platform passing between two adjacent glazing bars of a roof with a sloping surface if those bars or the roof framework afford secure handhold along the full length of the platform.

• (7) Not withstanding the provisions of paragraphs (6) (a) and (b) toe-boards or barriers shall be provided on such platforms in accordance with paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) except where the provision of toe-boards or barriers is impracticable on account of the nature or circumstances of the work.

• (8) Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) shall not apply to -

• (a) a platform under a roof being a platform which is supported by or suspended from roof members or the roof and which is used only for work on or in the vicinity of the roof, being work which is of a light nature and of such short duration as to make the provision of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable if the following requirements are complied with, namely

• (i) there is adequate handhold at every working position and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres, and

• (ii) the material required for the work is such that the platform can be used with safety,

• (b) a working platform or workplace one side of which is contiguous to the concave surface of a cylindrical or spherical structure for so long as practicable steps are being taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres.

Guard-rails, etc. for Gangways, Runs and Stairs

• (a) it shall be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height of not more than 1.20 metres nor less than 950 millimetres above the gangway, run or stairs,

• (b) except in the case of stairs, it shall be provided with toe-boards or other barriers, up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 millimetres and placed so as to prevent, as far as possible, the fall of persons at work, materials or articles, and

• (c) the space between any toe-boards or barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres.

Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs, etc. to Afford Safe Foothold

• (2) Every platform, gangway, run or stair shall be kept free from any unnecessary obstruction and material and free from rubbish and any projecting nails.

Construction and maintenance of ladders and folding step-ladders.

• (2) No ladder shall be used from which a rung is ;missing or where a rung is defective.

• (3) Every rung of a ladder shall be properly fixed to the stiles or sides.

• (4) No ladders shall be used in which any rung depends for its support solely on nails, spikes or other similar fixing.

• (5) Where in the case of a wooden ladder the tenon joints are not secured by wedges, reinforcing ties shall be used.

• (6) Wooden stiles or sides and wooden rungs of ladders shall have the grain running lengthwise.

• (7) This Regulation shall not apply to ladders to which Regulation 75 applies.

Use of ladders and folding step-ladders

• (2) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4), no ladder standing on a base shall be used unless -

• (a) it is securely fixed near to its upper resting-place or, in the case of a vertical ladder near to its upper end, provided that where such fixing is impracticable the ladder shall be securely fixed at or near to its lower end,

• (b) it has a level and firm footing and is not standing on loose bricks or other loose packing,

• (c) it is secured where necessary to prevent undue swaying or sagging, and

• (d) it is equally and properly supported on each stile or side.

• (3) Subject to paragraph (4), where it is impracticable in relation to a ladder standing on a base to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)(a), a person who is at work shall be stationed at the foot of the ladder when in use to prevent it slipping.

• (4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall not apply to a ladder which is not more than 3.00 metres in length and which is not used as a means of communication, if the ladder is securely placed as to prevent it from slipping or falling.

• (5) No ladder shall be used unless -

• (a) (i) it extends to a height of at least 1.00 metres above the place of landing or the highest rung to be reached by the feet of any person at work using the ladder, as the case may be, or, if this is impracticable, it extends to the greatest practicable height, or

• (ii) there is other adequate handhold, apart from the ladder, and

• (b) there is sufficient space at each rung to provide adequate foothold.

• (6) Every ladder, other than ladders standing on bases, shall before being used be -

• (a) securely suspended,

• (b) secured where necessary to prevent undue swinging or swaying, and

• (c) equally and properly suspended by each stile or side.

• (7) No folding step-ladder shall be used -

• (a) unless it has a level and firm footing, or

• (b) while it is standing on loose ;bricks or other loose packing.

• (8) No ladder or run of ladders rising a vertical distance of over 9.00 metres shall be used unless it is, if practicable, provided with an intermediate landing place or intermediate landing places so that the vertical distance between any two successive landing places shall not exceed 9.00 metres.

• (9) Every landing place provided under paragraph (8) shall be of adequate dimensions and, if a person at work is liable to fall from the landing place a distance of more than 2.00 metres, shall, except in so far as it is not practicable to do so, be provided with sufficient and suitable guard-rails to a height neither greater than 1.20 metres nor less than 950 millimetres above the landing place and with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 millimetres.

• (10) Guard-rails provided under paragraph (9) shall be so placed as to prevent as far as possible the fall of persons at work, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall not exceed 800 millimetres.

• (11) Where a ladder passes through an opening in the floor of a landing place, the opening shall be as small as is practicable.

Openings, Corners, Breaks, Edges and Open Joisting

• (a) in or of a roof, other than a roof to which Regulation 76 of these Regulations applies, floor, wall or other similar part either of a building or of any other structure whether the roof, floor, wall or other structure is complete or only partly complete or is in course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition, or

• (b) in or of a working platform, gangway, or run.

• (2) Subject to Regulation 75, where a person at work is liable to fall from or through an opening, corner, break or edge to which this Regulation applies either a distance of more than 2.00 metres or into any liquid or material so as to involve risk of drowning or serious injury, then, either -

• (a) a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength shall be provided to a height of not less than 950 millimetres and not exceeding 1.20 metres above the surface across which such person is liable to pass, together with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall be not less than 150 millimetres, and shall be so placed as to prevent, as far as possible, the fall of persons at work, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-board or other barrier at the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres, or

• (b) a covering shall be provided which is so constructed as to prevent the fall of persons at work, materials or articles and any such covering shall be securely fixed in position.

• (3) Subject to Regulation 75, where materials or articles are liable to fall through or from an opening, corner, break or edge to which this Regulation applies, other than an opening, corner, break or edge to which paragraph (2) applies, so as to endanger persons at work, suitable precautions by way of the erection of toe-boards, secure covering or otherwise shall be taken to prevent such falls.

• (4) Subject to Regulation 75, when work is done on or immediately above any open joisting through which there is a risk of a person at work falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres, the following requirements shall be complied with, namely such joisting shall be securely covered by boards or other temporary covering to the extent necessary to afford safe access to or foothold for the work or other effective measures shall be taken to prevent persons at work from falling.

Exceptions from Regulation 74

• (a) where and when this is necessary in order to proceed with any permanent filling in, covering or enclosure, or

• (b) for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons at work or the movement of materials or other purposes of the work,

but the opening, corner, break or edge shall not be left unattended and guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers and coverings removed or remaining unerected for any of those purposes shall be replaced or re-erected as soon as practicable.

• (2) Without prejudice to Regulation 69, Regulation 74 shall not apply to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of demolition operations to which Part XII of these Regulations applies or to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of any other demolition operation if in the course of such last mentioned demolition operation the opening, corner, break or edge is not left unattended.

Sloping roofs

“sloping roof” means a roof or part of a roof being a roof or part having a pitch of more than 10 degrees which is covered either wholly or partly.

• (2) This Regulation applies to a sloping roof which is -

• (a) in the course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition, or

• (b) used as a means of access to or egress from work on a roof or part of a roof being work to which these Regulations apply.

• (3) Except as provided in paragraphs (7) and (8), work on or from a sloping roof shall only be carried out by persons who are suitable for such work and in addition the requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) shall be complied with.

• (4) Where a sloping roof is used as a means of access to or egress from work on a roof or a part of a roof being work to which these Regulations apply, sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof.

• (5) Subject to paragraph (8) where any work is done on or from any sloping roof sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof and either -

• (a) a suitable barrier shall be provided at the lower edge of the sloping roof, other than the upper surface of a tank or similar structure of metal construction, of such a design and so constructed as to prevent any person at work falling from that edge, or

• (b) the work shall be done from a securely supported working platform of sufficient width and which complies with the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (5) of Regulation 69.

• (6) Crawling ladders and crawling boards required to be provided by paragraph (4) or (5) of this Regulation shall be -

• (a) of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which they are used, free from patent defect and properly maintained,

• (b) properly supported, and

• (c) securely fixed or anchored to the sloping surface or over the roof ridge or securely fixed in some other way.

• (7) The provision of crawling ladders or crawling boards shall not be required in the case of any sloping roof where the handhold and foothold afforded by the battens or other similar members of the structure are such that the said sloping roof is as safe for every person at work thereon as it would be if the said provision had been made.

• (8) Paragraphs (5)(a) and (5)(b) shall apply only in the case of a sloping roof from the eaves of which a person at work could fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres.

• (9) Suitable and sufficient means shall be provided to prevent the fall of materials or articles from a sloping roof.

Work on or near fragile materials

• (2) A person at work shall not pass or work near material of the kind as specified in paragraph (1) and so situated unless provision is made by means of such one or more of all or any of the following, that is to say, suitable guard-rails, suitable coverings and other suitable means as are appropriate for preventing any such person so passing or working from falling through the said material.

• (3) A suitable warning notice “danger fragile roof” shall be affixed at the approach to material of the kind specified in paragraph (1).

• (4) References in this Regulation to a person's weight shall be construed as references to the aggregate of his weight and that of anything he may, for the time being, be supporting by his person.

• (5) All plant and equipment provided in pursuance of this Regulation shall be of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, free from patent defect, properly maintained and used.

Loads on scaffolds

• (2) When any material is transferred on or to a scaffold it shall be moved or deposited without imposing any sudden shock.

• (3) Materials shall not be kept upon a scaffold unless needed for work within a reasonable time.

Prevention of falls and provision of safety nets and harnesses

• (2) Where by virtue of paragraph (1) safety nets or safety sheets would be required to be provided for the protection of persons at work but all such person are able safely to carry on the relevant work or use the relevant access or egress by making use of safety harnesses or safety belts attached continuously to a suitable and securely fixed anchorage, such safety nets or safety sheets shall not be required to be provided if there are provided instead and properly used suitable and sufficient safety harnesses, safety belts or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment.

• (3) In any of the following cases, that is to say -

• (a) where it is impracticable to provide all such safety nets or safety sheets as would be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1),

• (b) where it is not practicable so to provide all such nets or sheets by reason of the frequent movement of materials or other purposes of the work, and

• (c) where the work is of such short duration as to make the provision of all such nets or sheets unreasonable,

safety nets or safety sheets in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1) shall be provided to the extent to which it is possible to provide them and, in any such case, there shall also be provided suitable and sufficient safety harnesses or safety belts, together with suitable and sufficient anchorages, or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment having suitable fittings and being of such a design and so constructed as to prevent serious injury in the event of a fall to a person at work using them.

• (4) All safety nets, safety sheets, safety harnesses, safety belts and other equipment provided in pursuance of this Regulation shall be properly maintained and used.

PART 14 LIFTING APPLIANCES

Construction, Maintenance and Inspection.

• (a) be of good design and mechanical construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect,

• (b) be properly installed and used,

• (c) be properly maintained,

• (d) be used only for the purposes for which they were intended,

• (e) as far as the construction permits, be inspected at least once in every week by the driver, if competent for the purpose, or if the driver is not competent, by some other person who is competent.

• (2) A report of the results of every inspection, carried out under paragraph (1)(e), signed by the person carrying out the inspection, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

Support, anchoring, fixing and erecting

• (2) Every part of a stage, scaffold, framework or other structure and every mast, beam, pole or other article of plant or equipment, supporting a lifting appliance or any part thereof shall, having regard to the nature of the lifting appliance, its lifting and reaching capacity and the circumstance of its use, be of good construction, adequate strength, sound material and free from patent defect.

• (3) Every part of the framework of every crab or which, other than a jack roll, including its bearers, shall be of metal.

• (4) Any anchoring or fixing arrangements provided in connection with a lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.

• (5) Every temporary attachment or connection of a rope, chain or other plant or equipment used in the erection or dismantling of any lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.

• (6) In the case of a crane which is on occasion dismantled or partially dismantled, any jib or boom which is separated from the crane in dismantling shall be clearly marked so as to indicate the crane of which it was a part.

Precautions where Lifting Appliance has Travelling or Slewing Motion.

• (2) If at any time it is impracticable to maintain such a passageway at any place or point all appropriate steps shall be taken to prevent the access of any person at work to such place or point.

Platforms for Crane Drivers and Signaller.

• (a) of sufficient area for the person thereon,

• (b) closely planked or plated,

• (c) provided with safe means of access and egress,

and

every side of such platform from which there is risk of a person at work falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be provided with suitable guard rails and toe boards in accordance with Regulation 69(1) and (2).

• (2) Guard-rails and toe boards required under paragraph (1) may be removed and remain unerected only for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons at work or the movement of materials.

Cabins for Drivers.

• (a) afford adequate protection from the weather,

• (b) be equipped with suitable fire fighting equipment and kept in a clean state,

• (c) be so constructed as to afford ready access to such parts of the lifting appliance as are within the cabin and need periodic inspection or maintenance, but no cabin shall be provided which prevents the driver from having such clear and unrestricted view as is necessary for the safe use of the appliance.

• (2) Subject to paragraph (4), the cabin shall, before the relevant lifting appliance is put into general use, be completely erected or other adequate provision shall be made for the protection of the driver from the weather.

• (3) Subject to paragraph (4), the cabin shall, where practicable when in use during cold weather, be adequately heated by suitable means.

• (4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) shall not apply -

• (a) in cases where the driver is indoors or otherwise adequately protected from the weather,

• (b) to a hoist other than a hoist operated only from one position alongside the winch,

• (c) to lifting appliances mounted on wheels and having a maximum safe working load of 1000 kilogrammes or less,

• (d) to any machine incorporating a lifting appliance where the primary purpose of that machine is not that of a lifting appliance,

• (e) to mobile elevating work platforms, or

• (f) lifting appliances intended for occasional use or for use for only short periods.

Drums and Pulleys.

• (2) Every chain or rope which terminates at the winding drum of a lifting appliance shall be properly secured thereto and at least two turns of such chains or rope shall remain on such drum in every operating position of this appliance.

Brakes, Controls, Safety Devices, etc.

• (2) On every lifting appliance every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of the appliance, being a lever, handle, switch or device whose accidental movement or displacement is liable to cause danger, shall, where practicable, unless it is so placed or the appliance is so constructed as to prevent accidental movement or displacement, be provided with a suitable spring or other locking arrangement to prevent the accidental movement or displacement.

• (3) Every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of a lifting appliance shall have upon or adjacent to it clear markings to indicate its purpose and mode of operation.

• (4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply to rotating handles for raising or lowering the load in the case of a winch or nonderricking jib crane not operated by mechanical power.

Safe Means of Access.

Poles or Beams Supporting Pulley Blocks or Gin Wheels.

• (a) is of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is being used, and

• (b) is adequately and properly secured so as to support the pulley block or gin wheel and the load with safety and so as to prevent undue movement of the pole or beam.

Stability of Lifting Appliances.

• (2) No crane shall be used for raising or lowering unless, so as to ensure stability, it is either -

• (a) securely anchored, or

• (b) adequately weighted by suitable ballast which shall be properly placed on the crane structure and sufficiently secured to prevent its being accidentally displaced.

• (3) No part of any rails on which a crane is mounted or the sleepers supporting such rails shall be used as anchorage for the purposes of paragraph (2).

• (4) The whole of the appliances for the anchorage or ballasting of a crane shall be examined by a competent person on each occasion before the crane is erected.

• (5) After each erection of a crane on a site to which these Regulations apply and after each removal of a crane about or to such a site, or any adjustment to any member of a crane, being a removal or adjustment which involves changes in the arrangements for anchoring or ballasting the crane, the security of the anchorage or the adequacy of the ballasting, as the case may be, shall, before the crane is used, be tested by a competent person, by the imposition either -

• (a) of a load of twenty-five per cent above the maximum load to be lifted by the crane as erected at the position where there is the maximum pull on each anchorage, or

• (b) of a less load arranged to provide an equivalent test of the anchorage or ballasting arrangements.

• (6) A report of every test and the results thereof, signed by the person carrying out the test, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

• (7) If the person making tests under paragraph (5) considers that the maximum load which may safely be lifted by a crane as erected is less than the safe working load of the crane he shall specify that maximum in his report pursuant to this Regulation and a loading diagram appropriate to the stability of the crane at the time of the test, taking into account, in the case of a crane mounted on wheels, the conditions of the track, and indicating a modified safe working load or loads shall be affixed in a position where it can readily be seen by the crane driver.

• (8) Notwithstanding Regulation 2, the modified safe working load or loads specified under this Regulation shall be deemed for the purposes of these Regulations to be the safe working load or loads of the crane as erected.

• (9) Where the stability of a crane is secured by means of removable weights, a diagram or notice indicating the position and amount of such weights shall be affixed on the crane so that it can be readily seen and each such removable weight shall be clearly stamped with its correct weight.

• (10) A crane shall not be used or erected under weather conditions likely to endanger its stability.

• (11) After exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected the stability of a crane, the anchorage arrangements and ballast shall be examined by a competent person as soon as practicable and before the crane is used, and any necessary steps shall be taken to ensure the stability of the crane.

Rail mounted cranes.

• (a) be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of the rails,

• (b) have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported and be of adequate section,

• (c) be jointed by fish plates or double chairs,

• (d) be securely fastened to sleepers or bearers,

• (e) be laid in straight lines or in curves of such radii that the crane can be moved freely and without danger of derailment, and

• (f) be provided with adequate stops or buffers on each rail at each end of the track.

• (2) All rails and equipment referred to in paragraph (1) shall be properly maintained.

• (3) The requirements of paragraphs (1) (c) and (1) (d) shall not apply in the case of cranes on bridge rails or in the case of any crane if other adequate steps are taken to ensure the proper alignment of the rails and to prevent any material variation in their gauge.

• (4) Where a Scotch derrick crane is mounted on more than one bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage -

• (a) the crane sleepers or land ties, and if necessary the bogies, trolleys or wheeled carriages, shall be rigidly braced and properly connected together and the rails on which each bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage moves shall be level, and

• (b) the crane shall be moved on the track only in a manner not liable to cause instability, racking or distortion either to the crane structure or of the supporting framework or track.

• (5) Every travelling crane on rails shall be provided with guards to remove from the rails any loose material likely to cause danger.

Mounting of cranes.

Cranes with Derricking Jibs.

• (2) This Regulation shall not apply to any crane in which -

• (a) the hoisting drum and the derricking drum are independently driven, or

• (b) the mechanism driving the derricking drum is self-locking.

Restriction on use of cranes.

• (2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), a crane with a derricking jib shall not be used with the jib at a radius exceeding the maximum radius required to be specified for the jib in the certificate of test and examination required by Regulation 98.

Erection of Cranes under Supervision.

Competent Persons to Operate Lifting Appliances and Give Signals.

• (2) No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed either to give signals to the operator of a lifting appliance driven by mechanical power or to operate any such appliance.

• (3) Subject to paragraph (4), if the person operating a lifting appliance has not a clear and unrestricted view of the load, or where there is no load, of the point of attachment for a load, and of its vicinity, throughout the operation except at any place where such view is not necessary for safe working, there shall be appointed and suitably stationed one or more competent persons as may be necessary to give necessary signals to the operator.

• (4) Where and in so far as it is impracticable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3), effective measures shall be taken to enable the driver or operator of the lifting appliance -

• (a) to ascertain the position of the load or point of attachment for a load when it is in the vicinity of a loading or unloading point or of any other place at which danger is reasonably to be anticipated, or

• (b) by other means, to ensure the safe movement of the load.

• (5) The provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) shall not apply -

• (a) in the case of a hoist, of an aerial cableway or of an aerial ropeway, or

• (b) in a case other than that of a hoist, as respects places where the appliance can raise or lower the load, or point of attachment for a load, vertically only, without any horizontal or slewing motion, if for safe working the driver or operator of the appliance needs information related to the movement, stopping or position of the load, or point of attachment for a load, when it is at or in the immediate vicinity of certain points only, and effective arrangements are made by means of a signalling system, position indicators or otherwise, for providing the driver or operator with any such information necessary for safe working.

• (6) There shall be efficient signalling arrangements between the driver or operator and persons employed at a loading or unloading point of an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway.

Signals.

• (2) Devices or apparatus used for giving sound, colour, light or other signals for the purpose aforesaid shall be properly maintained and the means of communication shall be adequately protected from accidental interference.

Testing and examination of lifting appliances.

• (a) no crane, crab or winch shall be used unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person within the previous four years,

• (b) no pulley block, gin wheel or sheer legs shall be used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person, and

• (c) no other lifting appliance first brought into use after 31st December 1996 shall be used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person.

• (2) Subject to paragraph (4) -

• (a) no crane, crab or winch shall be used after any substantial alteration or repair affecting its strength or stability until it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person, and

• (b) no other lifting appliance shall, after any substantial alteration or repair, be used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more until it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person.

• (3) Subject to paragraph (4), no lifting appliance shall be used unless it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person within the previous fourteen months, and in case it undergoes any substantial alteration or repair, since the alteration or repair.

• (4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) shall not apply to a hoist, or to a mobile elevating work platform as covered by Regulation 124.

• (5) No lifting appliance shall be used unless there has been obtained, in such form as may be approved as respects the kind of lifting appliance tested and examined, a certificate of any test and examination required by paragraphs (1) to (3) signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination and specifying each of the following -

• (a) the safe working load or loads,

• (b) in the case of a crane with a variable operating radius, including a crane with a derricking jib, the radii of the jib, trolley or crab appropriate to the specified safe working loads, and

• (c) in the case of a crane with a derricking jib, the maximum radius at which the jib may be worked.

• (6) A report in an approved form of the results of every test or examination required by paragraphs (1) to (3), signed by the person carrying out the test or examination, shall be made within twenty-eight days, but this paragraph shall not apply to a test or examination of which a certificate has been obtained in accordance with paragraph (5).

• (7) The person making the report of any test or examination required by paragraphs (1) to (3) shall within 28 days of the completion of the test or examination, send to the Authority a copy of the report in every case where the test or examination shows that the plant or equipment cannot continue to be used with safety unless certain repairs are carried out immediately or within a specified time.

Marking of Safe Working Loads.

• (a) upon every crane, crab or winch,

• (b) upon every lifting appliance used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more.

• (2) Every crane of variable operating radius, including a crane with a derricking jib, shall before the crane is taken into use -

• (a) have plainly marked upon it the safe working load at various radii of the jib, trolley or crab, and, in the case of a crane with a derricking jib, the maximum radius at which the jib may be worked, and

• (b) be fitted with an accurate indicator, clearly visible to the driver, showing at any time the radius of the jib, trolley or crab, and the safe working load corresponding to that radius.

Indication of Safe Working Load on Jib Cranes.

• (a) no jib crane having either a fixed or derricking jib, other than a mobile crane, shall be used unless it is fitted with an approved type of automatic safe load indicator which shall be tested by a competent person, not being the crane driver, after erection or installation of the crane for the purpose of any work to which these Regulations apply and before the crane is taken into use, and

• (b) when the crane is in use, the indicator shall be inspected in any case at intervals not exceeding one week by the person carrying out the inspection required under Regulation 80(1)(e) and the results of every such inspection shall be reported in the manner specified in Regulation 80(2).

• (2) Subject to paragraph (4) -

• (a) no mobile crane having either a fixed or a derricking jib shall be used unless it is fitted with a suitable type of automatic safe load indicator which shall be properly maintained,

• (b) before such mobile crane is taken into use every such indicator shall be tested by a competent person -

• (i) on each occasion after it has been wholly or partially dismantled, and

• (ii) after each erection, alteration or removal of the crane for the purpose of any works to which these Regulations apply, being an erection, alteration or removal likely to have affected the proper operation of the indicator, and

• (c) when such mobile crane is in use, the indicator shall be inspected in any case at intervals not exceeding one week by the person carrying out the inspection required under Regulation 80(1)(e) and the results of every such inspection shall be reported in the manner specified in Regulation 80(2).

• (3) A report of the results of every test required by this Regulation, signed by the person carrying out the test, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

• (4) This Regulation shall not apply to -

• (a) any guy derrick crane, being a crane of which the mast is held upright solely by means of ropes with the necessary fittings and tightening screws,

• (b) any hand crane which is being used solely for erecting or dismantling another crane, or

• (c) any crane having a maximum safe working load of 1,000 kilogrammes or less.

Excavators used as Cranes.

Load not to Exceed Safe Working Load.

Precautions on Raising or Lowering Loads.

• (2) Where more than one lifting appliance is required to raise or lower the same load -

• (a) the plant or equipment used shall be so arranged and fixed that no lifting appliance to be used will at any time be loaded beyond its safe working load or rendered unstable in the raising or lowering of the load, and

• (b) a competent person shall be specially appointed to supervise the operation.

Scotch and Guy Derrick Cranes.

• (2) No load which lies in the angle between the back stays of a Scotch derrick crane shall be moved by that crane.

• (3) Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent the foot of the king post of any Scotch derrick crane from being lifted out of its socket or support whilst in use.

• (4) Where the guys of a guy derrick crane cannot be fixed at approximately equal inclinations to the mast and so that the angles between adjacent pairs of guys are approximately equal, such other measures shall be taken as will ensure the stability of the crane.

Cranes etc. in Factories and Other Premises.

• (2) This Regulation applies to a crane, crab or winch which forms part of the permanent equipment of a factory or other premises and which is used at such a premises for raising and lowering for purposes other than works to which these Regulations apply.

PART 15 CHAINS, ROPES AND LIFTING GEAR

Construction, testing, examinations and safe working load.

• (a) it is of good construction, sound material, adequate strength, suitable quality and free from patent defect,

• (b) it is properly installed and used,

• (c) it is properly maintained,

• (d) it is used only for the purpose for which it was intended,

• (e) except in the case of a fibre rope or fibre rope sling, it has been tested and examined by a competent person and there has been obtained in the approved form a certificate of such test and examination specifying the safe working load and signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination, and

• (f) it is marked in plain legible figures and letters with the safe working load and a means of identification.

• (2) A rope or rope sling need not be marked with the safe working load if its safe working load is contained in the report made pursuant to Regulation 111 and the rope or sling is so marked as to enable its safe working load as specified in the said report to be ascertained from the said report or if, in the case of a rope or a rope sling to which paragraph (1) (e) does not apply, its safe working load can be ascertained from a table of safe working loads posted in a prominent position on the construction site; and in the case of a rope or rope sling which is not required to have been tested and which is not marked with the safe working load, the safe working load required to be entered in the said report or required to be shown by the table, as the case may be, shall be deemed, not withstanding Regulation 2, to be the safe working load of the rope or rope sling.

• (3) No wire rope shall be used in raising or lowering or as a means of suspension if in any length of ten diameters the total number of visible broken wires exceeds five per cent of the total number of wires in the rope.

• (4) A chain, rope or lifting gear shall not be loaded beyond its safe working load except for testing purposes as specified by and under the direction of a competent person appointed to carry out the tests.

• (5) The original safe working load of a wire rope shall be determined by a competent person by testing to destruction a sample of the rope to ascertain the breaking load and, to ascertain the original safe working load -

• (a) in cases where the wire rope is used as a wire rope sling, one eighth of the breaking load shall be taken as the original safe working load, and

• (b) in any other case, one sixth of the breaking load shall be so taken.

Testing of Chains, Rings, etc. Altered or Repaired by Welding.

Hooks.

• (a) be provided with an efficient device to prevent the displacement of the sling or load from the hook, or

• (b) be of such shape as to reduce as far as possible the risk of such displacement.

Slings.

• (2) No double or multiple sling shall be used for raising or lowering if -

• (a) the upper ends of the sling legs are not connected by means of a shackle, ring or link of adequate strength, or

• (b) the safe working load of any sling leg is exceeded because of the angle between the sling legs.

Edges of Load not to come into Contact with Sling, etc.

Knotted Chains, etc.

• (2) A chain, which is shortened or joined to another chain by means of, bolts and nuts inserted through the links shall not be used for raising, lowering or suspending any load.

Examination of Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear.

• (2) A report in the approved form of the results of every such examination pursuant to this Regulation, signed by the person carrying out the examination, shall be made forthwith.

Annealing of Chains and Lifting Gear.

• (2) A chain or lifting gear of the type specified in paragraph (1) shall not be used in raising or lowering or as a means of suspension unless a report in the approved form has been made in writing of every annealing or appropriate heat treatment signed by the competent person under whose supervision the annealing or heat treatment was carried out.

Delivery of Loads with Lifting Gear Attached.

• (a) any article, material or other load intended for use in construction work is delivered at, or adjacent to, the construction site with a chain, rope or lifting gear attached thereto and designed for use as a means of raising and lowering that class of load when removing the same from the point of delivery to a position on the site, and

• (b) the chain, rope or gear is free from patent defect whether of construction or quality and is not owned or hired by any contractor who is undertaking construction work aforesaid on the site,

the requirements of Regulations 105, 106, 111 and 112 shall not apply in respect of the use of such chain, rope or lifting gear for raising or lowering the load so long as the chain, rope or gear remains attached to the article, material or load.

PART 16 SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS TO HOISTS

Safety of Hoistways, Platforms and Cages.

• (2) The enclosure and gates referred to in paragraph (1) shall where practicable extend to a height of at least 2.00 metres except where a lesser height is sufficient to prevent any person at work falling down the hoistway and there is no risk to any such person coming into contact with any moving part of the hoist, but in no case shall the enclosure be less than 1.00 metre in height.

• (3) Gates fitted in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) shall be kept closed except at a landing place where the platform or cage is at rest and it is for the time being necessary for the gate to be open for the purpose of loading or unloading goods, plant or material, or to allow persons at work to enter or leave the cage; and it shall be the duty of every such person, immediately after using any gateway, to see that the gate is closed unless it is for the time being necessary for the gate to be open for any of the purposes aforesaid.

• (4) Nothing in paragraphs (1) to (3) shall be construed as affecting any obligation of a contractor under any other provision of these Regulations.