What exactly BOCW central rule 56 focusing on periodic inspection of lifting equipment?
From India, Bhatinda
From India, Bhatinda
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Before commissioning the crane, we have conducted an inspection, load test, and certification by an authorized person. Is it required to perform a third-party inspection and certification (by an authorized person) every time we change the boom configuration? What does BOCW Rule 56 state?
From India, Bhatinda
From India, Bhatinda
Dear Mr. Ilango,
All the Acts and Rules are mainly made to provide guidance to us. Whatever lifting appliances, lifting tools, tackles, wire ropes, they will have a specific life period, i.e., life while in use and shelf life. For Hired Vehicles, RTO has control over obtaining the Fitness Certificate. (For Owners' Vehicles, it is not required as the owner maintains it for their safety). Similarly, in Construction Industries, the majority of the workforce is unskilled, and to safeguard their lives, the Government enacted the BOCW Act in 1996, mainly taking care of workers involved in construction activities. The Act insists that contractors ensure all lifting appliances are inspected by an authorized Third Party identified/authorized by the appropriate Government.
Whenever there is a change in the configuration of lifting appliances, or if no changes occur, the lifting appliances must be inspected annually by a third party, and a certificate to that effect must be obtained and maintained by the contractors.
The following information has been reproduced from the BOCW Rules for your reference (Rule numbers may vary by state):
Construction and Maintenance of Lifting Appliances
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) All lifting appliances, including their parts and working gear, are of sound construction, material, and adequate strength, free from defects and maintained in good repair and working condition.
...
Fencing of and Means of Access to Lifting Appliances
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) Safe means of access is provided to every part of a lifting appliance.
(b) The operator's platform on every crane or tip driven by mechanical power is securely fenced and provided with safe means of access. Where access is by a ladder, safety measures must be implemented to prevent falls.
Construction and Maintenance of Lifting Gear
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) Every lifting gear is of good design, construction, sound material, adequate strength, free from defects, and properly maintained in good repair and working order.
(b) Components of loose gear are renewed if dimensions have decreased by 10% or more by use.
Thank you.
From India, Kumbakonam
1189All the Acts and Rules are mainly made to provide guidance to us. Whatever lifting appliances, lifting tools, tackles, wire ropes, they will have a specific life period, i.e., life while in use and shelf life. For Hired Vehicles, RTO has control over obtaining the Fitness Certificate. (For Owners' Vehicles, it is not required as the owner maintains it for their safety). Similarly, in Construction Industries, the majority of the workforce is unskilled, and to safeguard their lives, the Government enacted the BOCW Act in 1996, mainly taking care of workers involved in construction activities. The Act insists that contractors ensure all lifting appliances are inspected by an authorized Third Party identified/authorized by the appropriate Government.
Whenever there is a change in the configuration of lifting appliances, or if no changes occur, the lifting appliances must be inspected annually by a third party, and a certificate to that effect must be obtained and maintained by the contractors.
The following information has been reproduced from the BOCW Rules for your reference (Rule numbers may vary by state):
Construction and Maintenance of Lifting Appliances
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) All lifting appliances, including their parts and working gear, are of sound construction, material, and adequate strength, free from defects and maintained in good repair and working condition.
...
Fencing of and Means of Access to Lifting Appliances
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) Safe means of access is provided to every part of a lifting appliance.
(b) The operator's platform on every crane or tip driven by mechanical power is securely fenced and provided with safe means of access. Where access is by a ladder, safety measures must be implemented to prevent falls.
Construction and Maintenance of Lifting Gear
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that:
(a) Every lifting gear is of good design, construction, sound material, adequate strength, free from defects, and properly maintained in good repair and working order.
(b) Components of loose gear are renewed if dimensions have decreased by 10% or more by use.
Thank you.
From India, Kumbakonam
If the load to be lifted is more than 75% of its rated capacity when you change the boom configuration, TPI certification is required as per safety standards. No rule may be avl in BOCW act. Pon
From India, Lucknow
From India, Lucknow
Please see the following details in addition to my earlier post
Test and periodical examination of lifting gears:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) a lifting gear is initially tested for the manufacturer by a competent person, in a manner specified in Schedule � I before taking into use or after undergoing any substantive alterations which renders its any part liable to affect its safely and such gear alters such test shall subsequently be retested for the use of its owner at least once in every 05 years;
(b) a lifting gear in use is thoroughly examined once at least in every 12 months by a competent person;
(c) a chain in use is thoroughly examined once at least every month by a responsible person for its use;
(d) certificates of initial and periodical tests and examinations of loose gears under these rules are obtained in Form �XXIV.
Ropes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) no rope is used for building or other construction work unless
(i) it is of good quality free from patent defects; and
(ii) in the case of wire rope, it has been tested and examined by a competent person in the manner specified in Schedule - I;
(b) every wire rope of lifting appliance or lifting gear used for any work is inspected by a responsible person for such use, once at least in every 03 months;
Provided that after any such wire is broken in such rope, it shall thereafter be inspected once at least in every month by the responsible person;
(c) no wire rope is used for any work if in any length of 8 diameters of such wires, the total number of visible broken wires exceed 10% of the total number of wires in such rope, or such rope shows sign of excessive wear, corrosion or other defects which in the opinion of the person who inspects it or Inspector , having jurisdiction, is unfit for use;
(d) eye splices and loops of ropes for the attachment of hooks, rings and other parts to wire ropes are made with suitable thimble;
(e) a thimble or loop splice made in any wire rope sling conforms to the following standards, namely:-
(i) wire rope sling shall have at least 3 tucks with full strand of rope and 2 tucks with 11/2 of the wires cut out of each of such strand in all cases, such strands shall be tucked against the lay of the rope;
(ii) protruding ends of such strands in any splice of wire rope slings shall be covered or treated so as to leave no sharp points;
(iii) a fibre rope or a rope slings shall have at least 4 tucks; tail of such tuck being whipped in a suitable manner; and
(iv) a synthetic fibre rope or rope sling shall have at least 4 tucks with full strand followed by further tuck with 11/2 filaments cut out of each of such strand and final tuck with 11/2 of the remaining filaments cut out from such strands. Any portion of the splices containing such tucks, with reduced number filaments, shall be securely covered with suitable tape or other materials:
Register of periodical test, examination and certificates thereof.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) a register in Form - XXV is maintained and particulars of such test and examination of lifting appliances, lifting gears and heat treatment as required under rules 72 are entered in such register;
(b) certificate in respect of each of the following is obtained from competent person in the forms as mentioned below, namely:
(i) in case of initial and periodical test and examination under rule 72 (a)
(a) derricks and their accessory gears in Form - XXVI;
(b) cranes or hoists and their accessory gears in Form - XXVII;
(ii) in case of test, examination and re-examination of loose gears under clause (d) of Rule 86 (a) & (b) in Form � XXVIII;
(iii) in case of test and examination of wire ropes under rule 87 in Form- XXIX;
(iv) in case of heat treatment and examination of loose gears under rule 88 in Form -XXX;
(v) in case of annual thorough examination of the loose gears under clause (b) of rule 86, except where required particulars of such exemption have been enclosed in the register referred to in clause (a) in Form � XXIV, and such certificates are attached to the register referred to in clause (a);
(c) the register referred to in clause (a) and the certificates referred to in clause (b) attached to such register are,-
(i) kept at such construction site in case such register and certificate relate to lifting appliances, loose gear and wire ropes;
(ii) produced on demand before an Inspector having jurisdiction; and
(iii) retained for at least five years after the date of the last entry made in such register;
(d) no lifting appliance or lifting gear in respect of which an entry is required to be made in register referred to in clause (a) and certificate of test and examination are required to be attached in such register in the manner as specified in clause (a) or clause (b), as the case may be, is used for building or other construction work unless the required entries have been made in such register and certificates.
Knotting of chains and wire ropes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work that no chain or wire rope with a knot in it is
used in building or other construction work
Carrying of persons by means of lifting appliances, etc.-
(1) Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that worker is raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance except,-
(a) on the driver�s platform in the cage of a crane; or
(b) on a hoist; or
(c) on an approved suspended scaffold:
Provided that a worker may be raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance-
(i) in circumstances where the use of a hoist or of a suspended scaffold is not reasonably practicable and the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with; or (ii) on an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway in case where the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with
(2) The requirements referred to in proviso to sub-rule (1) are as below, namely:-
i) that the appliance referred to in such provision can be operated from one position only;
ii) that any winch used in connection with the appliance referred to in such proviso comply with the requirements of Rule 98;
(iii) that no person shall be carried by the appliance referred to in such proviso except -
(a) in a chair or cage, or
(b) in a skip or other receptacle at least 3 ft deep which is suitable for safe carriage of a person and any such chair, cage skip or other receptacle is made of good construction, sound material, and has adequate strength and is properly maintained with suitable means to prevent any occupant therein from falling out of it and is free from any material which may interfere with the handhold or foothold of such occupant or other wise endanger him; and
(i) that suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the chair, cage, skip or other receptacle from spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any occupant therein.
Hoists carrying persons.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) no worker is carried by a hoist unless it provided with cage-
(i) is so constructed as to prevent, when its gates are shut, any worker carried by such hoist from falling out of it or from being trapped between any part of such hoist or from being struck by materials falling down the hoist way on which such hoist is moving;
(ii) is fitted on each of its side from which access is provided to a landing place with a gate which has efficient interlocking or other devices to secure so that gate cannot be opened except when such cage is at a landing place and that such cage cannot be moved away from any such place until such gate is closed;
(b) every gate in the hoist way enclosure of such hoist used for carrying persons is fitted with efficient inter-locking or other devices to secure so that gate cannot be opened except when the cage of such gate is at the landing place, and that such cage cannot be moved away from the landing place until such gate is closed.
(c) In hoist used for carrying workers provided with suitable and efficient automatic devices to ensure that the cage of such hoist comes to rest a point above the lowest point to which such cage may travel.
Tower cranes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that, -
(a) no person other than the operator trained and capable to work at heights are employed to operate tower cranes;
(b) the ground on which a tower crane stands has adequate bearing capacity;
(c) bases for tower cranes and trucks for rain-mounted tower cranes are firm and leveled and such cranes are erected at a reasonably safe distance from excavations and are operated within gradient limits as specified by the manufacturer of such cranes;
(d) tower cranes are sited where there is a clear space available for erection, operation and dismantling or such cranes;
(e) tower cranes are sited in such a way that the loads on such cranes are not handled over any occupied premises, public thoroughfares, railways or near power cables, other than construction works for which such cranes are used;
(f) where 2 or more tower cranes are sited/operated, every care is taken to ensure +ve and proper communication between operators of such cranes to avoid any danger or dangerous occurrences;
(g) tower cranes are used for loading magnet or demolition ball service, piling operation or other similar operations which could impose excessive load stresses on the crane structure of such cranes; the instructions of the manufacturer of a tower crane and standard safe practices regarding such crane are followed while operating or using such crane.
Qualification of operator or lifting winches and of signaler, etc.-
Every employer shall ensure that-no person is employed to drive or operate a lifting appliance whether driven by mechanical, power or otherwise or to give signals to drive or operator of such lifting appliance or rigger or derricks unless he-
(i) is above 18 years;
(ii) is sufficiently competent and reliable;
(iii) possesses the knowledge of the inherent risks involved in the operation of lifting appliances; and
(iv) is medically examined periodically as specified in Schedule � V.
Use of runways and ramps by building worker.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that -
(a) runway or ramp provided for use by workers is not less 430mm in width and is constructed of not less than 25mm thick planking or any other material of adequate strength to withstand the required load supported substantially in relation to the span and braced of such runway or ramp and design and construction of such runway or ramp is in accordance with the relevant national standards;
(b) every runway or ramp provided for use of workers located more than 3M above the floor or ground is on open sides provided with a guard rail of adequate strength and height of > 1000mm.
Use by vehicles:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) all runway or ramps are of sound construction, strength and are securely braced and supported;
(b) every runway or ramp for the use of transport equipment like trailers, trucks or heavier vehicles has a width of not less than 3.7M and is provided with timber curbs or any other material of adequate strength with not less than 200mm in width placed parallel to and secured to the sides of such runway or ramp and such runways or ramps are designed in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Slope of Ramps:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that every ramp has a slope not exceeding 1 in 4 and the total rise of a continuous ramp used by workers carrying material or using wheelbarrows does not exceed 3.7M, unless broken by horizontal landing of at least 1.2M in length or as provided in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Use by wheel barrows, etc:
The employer shall ensure at a construction site that -
(a) every runway or ramp used for wheel borrows, hand carts or hand trucks is not less than 1M in width and is constructed of not less than 50mm thick planking and is supported and braced suitably for such use; every runway or ramp located more than 3M above the floor or ground is provided on the open sides with suitable guard rails of adequate strength.
Prevention from drowning.-
Every employer shall ensure at a site that where, on or adjacent to the workplace of any site to which these rules apply, there is water into which a worker employed for work on such site is, in the course of his employment, may fall and has the risk of drowning suitable rescue equipment is provided and kept in an efficient state for ready use and measures are taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of such worker from the danger of drowning and where there is a special risk of such fall from the edge of adjacent land or from a structure adjacent to or above the water or from floating stage on such water, secure fencing is provided near the edge of such land, structure or floating stage, as the case may be, to prevent such fall , and such fencing may be removed or allowed to remain un-erected for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of workers to such work or the movement of material for such work.
Earth moving equipment and vehicles.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) all vehicles and earth moving equipment are made of good material, proper design and sound construction and are sufficiently strong for the purpose for which such equipment are used and are maintained in good state of repair and are properly used in accordance with standard safe operating practices:
Provided the truck or trailer employed for transporting freight containers are of the size sufficient to carry the containers without overhanging and are provided with twist locks conforming to national standards, at all the four corners of each of such truck or trailers and such truck or trailers are certified for such use by an authority under the relevant law for the time being in force and is inspected by a responsible person, at least once in a month and record of such inspection is mentioned;
(b) all transport or earth moving equipment and vehicles are inspected at least once a week by a responsible person and in case any defect is noticed in such equipment or vehicle, it is immediately taken out of use;
(c) power trucks and tractors are equipped with effective brakes, head-lights and tail lamps and are maintained in good repair and working order;
(d) side stanchions on power trucks and trailers for carrying heavy and long objects are-
(i) of sound construction and free from defects;
(ii) provided with tie chains attached to the top across the loads for preventing such stanchions from spreading out; and
(iii) kept in position while loading and unloading;
(e) safe gangways are provided for to and fro movement of workers engaged in loading/unloading of lorries, trucks, trailers and wagons;
(f) trucks and other equipments are not loaded beyond their safe carrying capacity which shall be clearly marked on such trucks and other equipments;
(g) handles of hand trucks are so designed as to protect the hands of the workers working on such trucks, or such handles are provided with knuckle guards;
(h)no unauthorized person rides the transport equipment employed in such work;
(i) a driver of a transport equipment manoeuvres such equipment under the direction of a signaller;
(j) adequate precaution such as isolating the electric supply or erecting overhead barriers of a safe height is taken when earth moving equipment or vehicles are required to operate in dangerous proximity to any live electric conductor;
(k) vehicles and earth moving equipments are not left on a slope with the engine of such vehicles or equipment running;
(l) all earth moving equipments ,vehicles or other transport equipment are operated only by such persons who are adequately trained and possess such skill as are required for safe operation of such equipment, vehicle or other transport equipment.
Power shovels and excavators:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) a shovel or an excavator whether operated, by steam or electric or by internal combustion used for such work is constructed, installed, operated, tested and examined as required under any law for the time being in force and the relevant national standards;
(b) excavator equipped for use as a mobile crane is -
(i) examined and tested in accordance with the requirements for such mobile crane under these rules; and
(ii) fitted with an automatic safe working load indicator;
(c) buckets or grabs of power shovels are propped to restrict the movement of such buckets or grabs while being repaired or while the teeth of such buckets or grabs are being changed.
Bulldozers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) an operator of bulldozer before leaving such bulldozer-
(i) applies the brakes;
(ii) lowers the blade and sipper; and
(iii) puts the shift lever into neutral.
(b) a bulldozer is left on level ground at the close of the work for which such bulldozer is used;
(c) the blade of a bulldozer is kept low when such bulldozer is moving uphill;
(d) the bulldozer blades are not used as brakes except in an emergency.
Scrapers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) a tractor and scraper is joined by safety line at the time of its operation;
(b) the scraper bowls are propped while blades of such scraper are being replaced;
(c) a scraper moving downhill is left in gear.
Pavers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction that pavers are equipped with guards suitable to prevent workers from walking under the skip of such pavers.
Road rollers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction that
(a) before a road roller is used on the ground, such ground is examined for its bearing capacity and general safety, especially at the edges of slopes such as embankments on such grounds; a roller is not moved downhill with the engine out of gear.
From India, Kumbakonam
Test and periodical examination of lifting gears:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) a lifting gear is initially tested for the manufacturer by a competent person, in a manner specified in Schedule � I before taking into use or after undergoing any substantive alterations which renders its any part liable to affect its safely and such gear alters such test shall subsequently be retested for the use of its owner at least once in every 05 years;
(b) a lifting gear in use is thoroughly examined once at least in every 12 months by a competent person;
(c) a chain in use is thoroughly examined once at least every month by a responsible person for its use;
(d) certificates of initial and periodical tests and examinations of loose gears under these rules are obtained in Form �XXIV.
Ropes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) no rope is used for building or other construction work unless
(i) it is of good quality free from patent defects; and
(ii) in the case of wire rope, it has been tested and examined by a competent person in the manner specified in Schedule - I;
(b) every wire rope of lifting appliance or lifting gear used for any work is inspected by a responsible person for such use, once at least in every 03 months;
Provided that after any such wire is broken in such rope, it shall thereafter be inspected once at least in every month by the responsible person;
(c) no wire rope is used for any work if in any length of 8 diameters of such wires, the total number of visible broken wires exceed 10% of the total number of wires in such rope, or such rope shows sign of excessive wear, corrosion or other defects which in the opinion of the person who inspects it or Inspector , having jurisdiction, is unfit for use;
(d) eye splices and loops of ropes for the attachment of hooks, rings and other parts to wire ropes are made with suitable thimble;
(e) a thimble or loop splice made in any wire rope sling conforms to the following standards, namely:-
(i) wire rope sling shall have at least 3 tucks with full strand of rope and 2 tucks with 11/2 of the wires cut out of each of such strand in all cases, such strands shall be tucked against the lay of the rope;
(ii) protruding ends of such strands in any splice of wire rope slings shall be covered or treated so as to leave no sharp points;
(iii) a fibre rope or a rope slings shall have at least 4 tucks; tail of such tuck being whipped in a suitable manner; and
(iv) a synthetic fibre rope or rope sling shall have at least 4 tucks with full strand followed by further tuck with 11/2 filaments cut out of each of such strand and final tuck with 11/2 of the remaining filaments cut out from such strands. Any portion of the splices containing such tucks, with reduced number filaments, shall be securely covered with suitable tape or other materials:
Register of periodical test, examination and certificates thereof.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) a register in Form - XXV is maintained and particulars of such test and examination of lifting appliances, lifting gears and heat treatment as required under rules 72 are entered in such register;
(b) certificate in respect of each of the following is obtained from competent person in the forms as mentioned below, namely:
(i) in case of initial and periodical test and examination under rule 72 (a)
(a) derricks and their accessory gears in Form - XXVI;
(b) cranes or hoists and their accessory gears in Form - XXVII;
(ii) in case of test, examination and re-examination of loose gears under clause (d) of Rule 86 (a) & (b) in Form � XXVIII;
(iii) in case of test and examination of wire ropes under rule 87 in Form- XXIX;
(iv) in case of heat treatment and examination of loose gears under rule 88 in Form -XXX;
(v) in case of annual thorough examination of the loose gears under clause (b) of rule 86, except where required particulars of such exemption have been enclosed in the register referred to in clause (a) in Form � XXIV, and such certificates are attached to the register referred to in clause (a);
(c) the register referred to in clause (a) and the certificates referred to in clause (b) attached to such register are,-
(i) kept at such construction site in case such register and certificate relate to lifting appliances, loose gear and wire ropes;
(ii) produced on demand before an Inspector having jurisdiction; and
(iii) retained for at least five years after the date of the last entry made in such register;
(d) no lifting appliance or lifting gear in respect of which an entry is required to be made in register referred to in clause (a) and certificate of test and examination are required to be attached in such register in the manner as specified in clause (a) or clause (b), as the case may be, is used for building or other construction work unless the required entries have been made in such register and certificates.
Knotting of chains and wire ropes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work that no chain or wire rope with a knot in it is
used in building or other construction work
Carrying of persons by means of lifting appliances, etc.-
(1) Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that worker is raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance except,-
(a) on the driver�s platform in the cage of a crane; or
(b) on a hoist; or
(c) on an approved suspended scaffold:
Provided that a worker may be raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance-
(i) in circumstances where the use of a hoist or of a suspended scaffold is not reasonably practicable and the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with; or (ii) on an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway in case where the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with
(2) The requirements referred to in proviso to sub-rule (1) are as below, namely:-
i) that the appliance referred to in such provision can be operated from one position only;
ii) that any winch used in connection with the appliance referred to in such proviso comply with the requirements of Rule 98;
(iii) that no person shall be carried by the appliance referred to in such proviso except -
(a) in a chair or cage, or
(b) in a skip or other receptacle at least 3 ft deep which is suitable for safe carriage of a person and any such chair, cage skip or other receptacle is made of good construction, sound material, and has adequate strength and is properly maintained with suitable means to prevent any occupant therein from falling out of it and is free from any material which may interfere with the handhold or foothold of such occupant or other wise endanger him; and
(i) that suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the chair, cage, skip or other receptacle from spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any occupant therein.
Hoists carrying persons.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) no worker is carried by a hoist unless it provided with cage-
(i) is so constructed as to prevent, when its gates are shut, any worker carried by such hoist from falling out of it or from being trapped between any part of such hoist or from being struck by materials falling down the hoist way on which such hoist is moving;
(ii) is fitted on each of its side from which access is provided to a landing place with a gate which has efficient interlocking or other devices to secure so that gate cannot be opened except when such cage is at a landing place and that such cage cannot be moved away from any such place until such gate is closed;
(b) every gate in the hoist way enclosure of such hoist used for carrying persons is fitted with efficient inter-locking or other devices to secure so that gate cannot be opened except when the cage of such gate is at the landing place, and that such cage cannot be moved away from the landing place until such gate is closed.
(c) In hoist used for carrying workers provided with suitable and efficient automatic devices to ensure that the cage of such hoist comes to rest a point above the lowest point to which such cage may travel.
Tower cranes.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that, -
(a) no person other than the operator trained and capable to work at heights are employed to operate tower cranes;
(b) the ground on which a tower crane stands has adequate bearing capacity;
(c) bases for tower cranes and trucks for rain-mounted tower cranes are firm and leveled and such cranes are erected at a reasonably safe distance from excavations and are operated within gradient limits as specified by the manufacturer of such cranes;
(d) tower cranes are sited where there is a clear space available for erection, operation and dismantling or such cranes;
(e) tower cranes are sited in such a way that the loads on such cranes are not handled over any occupied premises, public thoroughfares, railways or near power cables, other than construction works for which such cranes are used;
(f) where 2 or more tower cranes are sited/operated, every care is taken to ensure +ve and proper communication between operators of such cranes to avoid any danger or dangerous occurrences;
(g) tower cranes are used for loading magnet or demolition ball service, piling operation or other similar operations which could impose excessive load stresses on the crane structure of such cranes; the instructions of the manufacturer of a tower crane and standard safe practices regarding such crane are followed while operating or using such crane.
Qualification of operator or lifting winches and of signaler, etc.-
Every employer shall ensure that-no person is employed to drive or operate a lifting appliance whether driven by mechanical, power or otherwise or to give signals to drive or operator of such lifting appliance or rigger or derricks unless he-
(i) is above 18 years;
(ii) is sufficiently competent and reliable;
(iii) possesses the knowledge of the inherent risks involved in the operation of lifting appliances; and
(iv) is medically examined periodically as specified in Schedule � V.
Use of runways and ramps by building worker.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that -
(a) runway or ramp provided for use by workers is not less 430mm in width and is constructed of not less than 25mm thick planking or any other material of adequate strength to withstand the required load supported substantially in relation to the span and braced of such runway or ramp and design and construction of such runway or ramp is in accordance with the relevant national standards;
(b) every runway or ramp provided for use of workers located more than 3M above the floor or ground is on open sides provided with a guard rail of adequate strength and height of > 1000mm.
Use by vehicles:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) all runway or ramps are of sound construction, strength and are securely braced and supported;
(b) every runway or ramp for the use of transport equipment like trailers, trucks or heavier vehicles has a width of not less than 3.7M and is provided with timber curbs or any other material of adequate strength with not less than 200mm in width placed parallel to and secured to the sides of such runway or ramp and such runways or ramps are designed in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Slope of Ramps:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that every ramp has a slope not exceeding 1 in 4 and the total rise of a continuous ramp used by workers carrying material or using wheelbarrows does not exceed 3.7M, unless broken by horizontal landing of at least 1.2M in length or as provided in accordance with the relevant national standards.
Use by wheel barrows, etc:
The employer shall ensure at a construction site that -
(a) every runway or ramp used for wheel borrows, hand carts or hand trucks is not less than 1M in width and is constructed of not less than 50mm thick planking and is supported and braced suitably for such use; every runway or ramp located more than 3M above the floor or ground is provided on the open sides with suitable guard rails of adequate strength.
Prevention from drowning.-
Every employer shall ensure at a site that where, on or adjacent to the workplace of any site to which these rules apply, there is water into which a worker employed for work on such site is, in the course of his employment, may fall and has the risk of drowning suitable rescue equipment is provided and kept in an efficient state for ready use and measures are taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of such worker from the danger of drowning and where there is a special risk of such fall from the edge of adjacent land or from a structure adjacent to or above the water or from floating stage on such water, secure fencing is provided near the edge of such land, structure or floating stage, as the case may be, to prevent such fall , and such fencing may be removed or allowed to remain un-erected for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of workers to such work or the movement of material for such work.
Earth moving equipment and vehicles.-
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that,-
(a) all vehicles and earth moving equipment are made of good material, proper design and sound construction and are sufficiently strong for the purpose for which such equipment are used and are maintained in good state of repair and are properly used in accordance with standard safe operating practices:
Provided the truck or trailer employed for transporting freight containers are of the size sufficient to carry the containers without overhanging and are provided with twist locks conforming to national standards, at all the four corners of each of such truck or trailers and such truck or trailers are certified for such use by an authority under the relevant law for the time being in force and is inspected by a responsible person, at least once in a month and record of such inspection is mentioned;
(b) all transport or earth moving equipment and vehicles are inspected at least once a week by a responsible person and in case any defect is noticed in such equipment or vehicle, it is immediately taken out of use;
(c) power trucks and tractors are equipped with effective brakes, head-lights and tail lamps and are maintained in good repair and working order;
(d) side stanchions on power trucks and trailers for carrying heavy and long objects are-
(i) of sound construction and free from defects;
(ii) provided with tie chains attached to the top across the loads for preventing such stanchions from spreading out; and
(iii) kept in position while loading and unloading;
(e) safe gangways are provided for to and fro movement of workers engaged in loading/unloading of lorries, trucks, trailers and wagons;
(f) trucks and other equipments are not loaded beyond their safe carrying capacity which shall be clearly marked on such trucks and other equipments;
(g) handles of hand trucks are so designed as to protect the hands of the workers working on such trucks, or such handles are provided with knuckle guards;
(h)no unauthorized person rides the transport equipment employed in such work;
(i) a driver of a transport equipment manoeuvres such equipment under the direction of a signaller;
(j) adequate precaution such as isolating the electric supply or erecting overhead barriers of a safe height is taken when earth moving equipment or vehicles are required to operate in dangerous proximity to any live electric conductor;
(k) vehicles and earth moving equipments are not left on a slope with the engine of such vehicles or equipment running;
(l) all earth moving equipments ,vehicles or other transport equipment are operated only by such persons who are adequately trained and possess such skill as are required for safe operation of such equipment, vehicle or other transport equipment.
Power shovels and excavators:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) a shovel or an excavator whether operated, by steam or electric or by internal combustion used for such work is constructed, installed, operated, tested and examined as required under any law for the time being in force and the relevant national standards;
(b) excavator equipped for use as a mobile crane is -
(i) examined and tested in accordance with the requirements for such mobile crane under these rules; and
(ii) fitted with an automatic safe working load indicator;
(c) buckets or grabs of power shovels are propped to restrict the movement of such buckets or grabs while being repaired or while the teeth of such buckets or grabs are being changed.
Bulldozers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) an operator of bulldozer before leaving such bulldozer-
(i) applies the brakes;
(ii) lowers the blade and sipper; and
(iii) puts the shift lever into neutral.
(b) a bulldozer is left on level ground at the close of the work for which such bulldozer is used;
(c) the blade of a bulldozer is kept low when such bulldozer is moving uphill;
(d) the bulldozer blades are not used as brakes except in an emergency.
Scrapers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction site that-
(a) a tractor and scraper is joined by safety line at the time of its operation;
(b) the scraper bowls are propped while blades of such scraper are being replaced;
(c) a scraper moving downhill is left in gear.
Pavers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction that pavers are equipped with guards suitable to prevent workers from walking under the skip of such pavers.
Road rollers:
Every employer shall ensure at a construction that
(a) before a road roller is used on the ground, such ground is examined for its bearing capacity and general safety, especially at the edges of slopes such as embankments on such grounds; a roller is not moved downhill with the engine out of gear.
From India, Kumbakonam
@Mr. S. Bhaskar,
Thanks for your valuable inputs regarding the BOCW Act. I hope this will help the thread starter.
@Mr. Ilango,
It's not required to do third-party testing every time when changing the boom configuration. It's also not practically possible. The requirement under the act is clearly mentioned in the reply of Mr. Bhaskar.
@Mr. Pon,
Can you please explain in detail what this TPI certification is? It's a new term for me.
From India
Thanks for your valuable inputs regarding the BOCW Act. I hope this will help the thread starter.
@Mr. Ilango,
It's not required to do third-party testing every time when changing the boom configuration. It's also not practically possible. The requirement under the act is clearly mentioned in the reply of Mr. Bhaskar.
@Mr. Pon,
Can you please explain in detail what this TPI certification is? It's a new term for me.
From India
Good evening, Mr. Pon,
You are right, Mr. Pon. If the load is more than 75% of the crane's rated capacity, it should be considered a CRITICAL LIFT. According to USACE rules, it should be revised and signed by a Registered Professional Engineer or any employees involved in the lift (crane man basket). It is also considered a CRITICAL LIFT by USACE, allowed after approval by an RPE. However, US Navy (US Army has different standards between Army, Navy, and Marine) rules do not permit the use of crane baskets at any time.
If the load to be lifted exceeds 75% of its rated capacity when changing the boom configuration, TPI certification is required as per safety standards. There may be no rule available in the BOCW act.
Pon
From United States, Fpo
You are right, Mr. Pon. If the load is more than 75% of the crane's rated capacity, it should be considered a CRITICAL LIFT. According to USACE rules, it should be revised and signed by a Registered Professional Engineer or any employees involved in the lift (crane man basket). It is also considered a CRITICAL LIFT by USACE, allowed after approval by an RPE. However, US Navy (US Army has different standards between Army, Navy, and Marine) rules do not permit the use of crane baskets at any time.
If the load to be lifted exceeds 75% of its rated capacity when changing the boom configuration, TPI certification is required as per safety standards. There may be no rule available in the BOCW act.
Pon
From United States, Fpo
Guys, Whether you believe me or not, I was involved in critical lifts upto 800 MT. TPI is required for every critical lift as we are changing the configuration. Pon
From India, Lucknow
From India, Lucknow
Dear Pon,
I went through your previous post (Lift plan excel sheet) and I have some questions. Is TPI only for inspecting the tools (shackle/sling etc...) or...? There are many points not addressed in your checklist, I have added a few below:
I) No shackle description.
II) No lift description.
III) No swing radius.
IV) No swing direction.
V) How to calculate the load?
Do you have any sample/example plans from your previous work that you could share? If you could share plans for critical lifts up to 800 MT, it would be really helpful for us.
I have more questions about the lift plan, and once I receive your reply, I will proceed further.
Thanks in advance.
Waiting for your reply.
From United States, Fpo
I went through your previous post (Lift plan excel sheet) and I have some questions. Is TPI only for inspecting the tools (shackle/sling etc...) or...? There are many points not addressed in your checklist, I have added a few below:
I) No shackle description.
II) No lift description.
III) No swing radius.
IV) No swing direction.
V) How to calculate the load?
Do you have any sample/example plans from your previous work that you could share? If you could share plans for critical lifts up to 800 MT, it would be really helpful for us.
I have more questions about the lift plan, and once I receive your reply, I will proceed further.
Thanks in advance.
Waiting for your reply.
From United States, Fpo
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