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Posted By Alex Ashcroft
I am currently working as site manager on a construction site for a member of the MAjor Contractors Group (MCG).
The Safty Manger is stating that as we are lifting Structural Steel Sections upto 600Kg in weight with a suitable Reach Truck and Telescopic handler we are required to have an "Appointed Person" to approve the lifts.
I have spoken to HSE Direct (And passed the number and name onto the safety manager) who confirmed that under LOLER & PUWER regulation a "Competent Person" is required but should we be working under BS7121 we would require an "Appointed Person" but BS7121 is For Crane Operations.
Any Help would be appriciated.
Alex Ashcroft
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Posted By alex mccreadie
This is a very difficult situation you are in with no clear definitive answer. LOLER quotes that BS 7121 contains recommendations for the safe use of cranes including the planning of lifting operations.Then that the principles contained within it can be applied to the use of other types of lifting equipment.
I would suggest that as you have mentioned the Principal Contractor is part of the MCG the Safety Manager is working to there standards which are higher than the norm. He is only trying to ensure a Safe System of Work, and because of the weights you are lifting I can understand why.The problem is should your appointed person have completed an Appointed Persons course for Lifting Operations. In your case probably not and a competent person as defined in LOLER Regulation 8 should suffice.It is a question you will find difficult to get answered especially by the HSE but my opinion is if you can prove the competence of your competent person through training records and the like then the Safety Manager may accept this. Remember like yourself he is only trying to ensure the same amount of people go home at night as came in, in the morning and in the same mode of transport. Good Luck
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Posted By Dave Daniel
600Kg is not that heavy. If you are using a dual lift then the ACOP says that you should have a written plan for the lift. The operators clearly need to be trained and competent but there is no legal requirement for a person to be "appointed".
One could say a lot about the MCG and CSCS but this will not presumably alter the views of this particular person.
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Posted By James M
Alex,
If you take this to the letter of the law then you will need a appointed person for a pallet truck and a cement lorry with a lifting arm. Both of these are lifting materials and therefore both require an appointed person.
However, I would stick to using an appointed person only for cranes. What you may need is a banksman to assist in tight spots or when the driver is operating blind.
A competent person will have to plan the activity and carry out a toolbox talk to all concerned in the task.
Good luck
Jim
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Posted By Simon Kynaston
Alex
As in other responses the requirement of an appointed person is required for all lifting operations. As an appointed person for a large construction site the responsibility can go down as far as a bucket on a scaffolding gin wheel.
In addition to this large 360 excavators, loading shovels, moving bulk materials in excess of 1t would also require an appointed person.
The roll of the Appointer Person is to ensure all the necessary planning has been done and all personnel involved in the lifting operations are appropriately trained and briefed. Their attendance in lifting operations is not required to do this but as their responsability cannot be delagated as they are ultimately accountable. Without an appointed person in place for planned lifts you would be accepting the responsability yourself.
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