Crane Safety
In South Africa, cranes (lifting Machines) and related lifting tackle, is strictly governed by the Driven Machinery Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. All lifting machines, including gantry, mobile and crawler cranes MUST comply with the following:
- Safe working load displayed on the machine
- At least 3 full turns of rope on the drum of any winch at its lowest limit with an automatic cut-out device
- Fitted with a brake or other means to hold the load
- Load test performed by a registered lifting machine inspector, every time re-erected or min. 12 months.
- Sheaves, brakes and safety devices inspected min. every 6 months
- A register kept with a full service history – At least 10 years
- Fitted with a load indicator
- Fitted with a load-limiting device that will automatically arrest the driving effort when a greater load is lifted for that radius
- Operated by a certified competent operator
- Lifting tackle will be inspected every 3 months, entered on a register and in Franki, colour coded for that period, as per the table below.
Excavation Safety
Following some recent incidents in our industry, it is important to remember the following legal requirements regarding excavations and trenches:
- For large excavations, a competent person is appointed to manage and inspect the excavation e.g. Supervisor
- The stability of the ground must be assessed
- Steps must be taken to ensure no employee can get buried or trapped by a fall or dislodged material. This can be in the form of shoring or bracing as designed by a professional.
- The sides of the excavation must be sloped to at least the maximum angle of repose relative to the horizontal
- Appointments, inspections and permits must be done in writing.
