SGS certification for lifting equipment and training crane operators
12 October 2009
Overhead cranes and rigging hardware are often regarded as safe to operate, but nevertheless, accidents happen. In Quebec, Canada alone, more than 600 lifting operations incidents at industrial and manufacturing facilities are reported each year.
SGS certification for lifting equipment and training crane operators
The major factors that cause the incidents reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Commission are insufficient training and experience in the operation of cranes and the use of worn, inappropriate or damaged equipment. Moreover, improper rigging practices, poor maintenance, lack of inspection procedures and operator errors can lead to the serious injury or death of workers and others involved.
In the province of Quebec, regulations on inspection and operations underwent changes in 2008. A new act concerning occupational health and safety (current version: July 15, 2008 and May 16, 2009) was announced, requiring that an overhead traveling crane must be operated exclusively by an operator who has received theoretical and practical training from an instructor.
In addition to this, the Canadian Standard Association revised the B167 standard to include a new section on safe operation. The current edition is the third edition published on October 1, 2008: CSA B167-08, Overhead Traveling Cranes - Design, Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Safe Operation.
In 2008, SGS was appointed to evaluate the safety of lifting operations in a major copper foundry in Montreal in accordance with these new regulations. SGS first performed a thorough inspection of every overhead crane in the foundry, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection on critical elements. This was followed by proof testing on all rigging hardware which included chain falls, chain slings, wire rope slings and blocks.
The assessment procedure was concluded with the Visual Inspection of synthetic slings and small hardware.
In addition to machinery certification, SGS provides training for crane operators and inspectors in accordance with the most up-to-date Canadian standards as well as all applicable international standards. In Montreal, over 300 operators have already received training on how to operate cranes safely.
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