Understanding how to operate lifting operations and equipment safely is difficult, to say the least. In this article, we’re going to discuss these regulations and how you can conduct your business safely in Ireland. By doing so, you can avoid things like injuries and lawsuits. For more information, keep reading!
About Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Ireland’s regulations and legislation regarding lifting operations was documented in 1999. Many of these regulations are similar to LOLER, which are the legislative regulations currently in effect in England. These regulations apply to any equipment or work that is performed on a worksite - with some exceptions.
Lifting operations regulations do not apply to work that is done on boats or in the boating industry. That’s because this industry already has many regulations that both are and aren’t covered. These regulations also don’t apply to equipment that is not used on job sites. Equipment like stairlifts may be used on worksites, but their primary function is for private dwellings.
Ireland’s regulations also will not apply to any equipment that doesn’t have lifting as its primary function. This extends to accessories like three-point linkage because this linkage raises tractor equipment. The equipment is then used to plow the ground. This is not considered to be a lifting motion.
Food transport also is not considered to fall under LOLER regulations.
The Basics
There are some basic things that you should consider when it comes to Ireland’s lifting operations and equipment regulations. For one thing, employers have to ensure the safety of everyone on the worksite within reason. We know that accidents will happen no matter how much you prepare, however, you should always make sure that your equipment is up to code and that you prevent equipment and machinery from falling or striking someone.
You should also know that employers are responsible for the safety of young people. That means no harmful chemicals should be used and no employer should be hiring a young person for any work that is beyond their abilities.
A lifting operation is an operation that involves a load being lifted and moved. The aforementioned regulations have been in force since 1999 and, while it isn’t considered law, it is considered to be a regulation that must be maintained.
All About Equipment
Now that you know about our regulations and the basics pertaining to them you should know more about which equipment to choose. More than anything, your equipment should always be able to withstand the work you’re doing. If you’re using winches, you need to make sure that they have enough drums and pulling capacity to move the objects or machinery you’re working on.
Another function of workplace safety is having all equipment clearly marked and labeled. This will ensure that all workers have the same access to the information necessary to perform jobs safely. If, for example, your equipment has a maximum carrying capacity, it should be marked somewhere visible.
The same can be said about any equipment accessories. If your accessory has a working load that depends on specific configurations, these should also be marked. This can result in a lot of labels, however, your workers need to know if there are any restrictions for the equipment being used. An example of this is equipment that has a maximum number of people who are able to use it. If the equipment can only hold 5 people and 8 workers try to use the machinery, you’re risking an accident.
About Planning and organizing
The most important component of any workplace is the planning and organizing. Planning is necessary for a number of reasons. For one, you’ll need to have a backup plan in case someone does get hurt or in case your safety regulations fail.
You should also always have an emergency plan that includes first responders or medics should anything happen. Beyond this, you need to have a plan for any equipment that will be used in the future. You should know about any components that can damage your equipment and you should have a supervisor who is aware of them at all. This supervisor should always be making sure that equipment is being used properly.
Before any of this, though, you’ll need to have a risk assessment performed. Risk assessments are required on all worksites and they aim to evaluate the safety of both your equipment and your worksite. Any hazards or threats will be documented and analyzed.
Final Thoughts
Lifting operations involve a lot of hard work and physical labour. Beyond this, they also require workers who are aware of safety regulations. More than anything, it’s vital that all workers are considered and that no jobs are handed out to people who aren’t qualified. Check out our range of lifitng equipment.