Keeping up with the compliance of lifting gear on your construction project can sometimes seem like a complicated task; in this post we have outlined best practices and clarified what the law requires in Queensland and what is industry practice.
Initial inspection prior to first use
Industry best practice is to perform a visual inspection on all lifting equipment prior to its first use after receiving it from the supplier to ensure that it is the correct rated capacity and that it will meet your specific requirements.
An inspection certificate is usually supplied when purchasing new equipment to show its manufacture date, serial number and the date of initial inspection.
In addition to visual checks prior to first use, the WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) requires plant such as lifting gear to be maintained and inspected in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations (or, where there are none, a competent person‘s recommendations), and common industry practice, based on Australian Standards, is that lifting, rigging and height safety equipment is inspected and tagged by a “competent person” at regular intervals which we have outlined below.
Round and web slings
In Queensland, the usual industry practice is that round and web slings are visually inspected by a “competent person”, at least once every 3 months.
Lifting cages & fabricated lifting devices
Lifting cages and custom fabricated lifting devices are usually load tested and fitted with a data tag when they are first manufactured. After this initial third party test, common industry practice is for these items to be visually inspected by a “competent person” at least once every 12 months.
Height safety equipment
In Queensland, the usual industry practice is that height safety equipment is visually inspected by a “competent person”, at least once every 6 months.
Concrete clutches
In addition to a visual inspection by a “competent person” at least once every 12 months, concrete clutches are also commonly load tested every 12 months in Queensland.
Chain slings and shackles
Finally, chain slings and shackles are commonly visually inspected by a “competent person” at least once every 12 months in Queensland.
Additional inspections depending on usage
Whilst carrying out inspections to the above schedules, which are industry practice rather than fixed intervals set by the Regulation, it is important to note that depending on how often the equipment is used and workplace conditions, it may be necessary to carry out additional inspections to ensure that the equipment is safe to use.
Falcon Cranes procedure, and part of our daily pre-start check for operators, is that a visual inspection be carried out on all lifting equipment prior to EACH use, as it may not be in the same condition as last time it was used.
Frequently asked questions
What are the lifting equipment inspection requirements in Queensland?
The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must make sure its maintenance, inspection and, if necessary, testing is carried out by a competent person. This must be done in line with the manufacturer's recommendations, or, if there are none, the recommendations of a competent person. If neither is reasonably practicable for inspection, the plant must be inspected annually (section 213 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)). Lifting must also be done with lifting attachments suitable for the load and within the safe working limits of the plant (section 219).
How often does lifting gear need to be inspected?
The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) does not set one number of months for all lifting gear. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations, or a competent person's if there are none, and inspect at least annually if neither can reasonably be followed (section 213). The intervals in this guide, such as every 3 months for round and web slings, are common industry practice.
How often do slings need to be inspected?
Common Queensland industry practice, as set out in this guide, is a visual inspection by a competent person at least every 3 months for round and web slings, and at least every 12 months for chain slings and shackles. Those intervals are industry practice, not a number written into the Regulation, so check the manufacturer's recommendations first. Heavy use or harsh conditions may call for more frequent checks.
Who can inspect lifting equipment?
A competent person. For most tasks the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) defines this as a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task (Schedule 19). Some plant has stricter rules: for example, a major inspection of a mobile or tower crane has its own competency requirements (section 235).
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current law or talk to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for your situation.
Have you ever been caught out with confusing lifting equipment laws?
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