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#1 Posted : 11 January 2008 14:25:00(UTC)
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Posted By Barrie (Badger) Etter
We have a 1 tonne lifting capacity sling picking up a 0.1 Tonne load on an infrequent basis.

Q. Would a once in five years testing of the sling be adequate? Or is there need for more frequent checks even when the usage is low?

Q. Does anyone know of a 'suitable and proficient' test house in the Hinckley /Leicester area that can check the slings?

Thanks in advance.

Badger
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#2 Posted : 11 January 2008 14:35:00(UTC)
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Posted By steven n
Loler regs only state periodic checks are made no time scale is stated though in your case pre lifting checks would be more important i.e is there any fraying or tears to the sling?
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#3 Posted : 11 January 2008 14:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By M Forbes
My personal reccomendation is that you do so on a more frequent basis. It's not a lengthy process, and if it prevents an accident. It can only be of benefit.

We do all our testing on a 6 month basis, and have a colour coded system in place, where slings are tagged and only specific colours can be used every 6 month. If you come across a sling with the wrong colour you cannot use it until it has be re-approved.

However you did mention it was for infrequent use, so id recommend yearly.
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#4 Posted : 11 January 2008 15:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alan Woodage
Barrie,
I see your point but be careful not to fall fowl of ACOP's and Guidance. It is accepted practice that all lifting accessories are inspected 6 Monthly. Yes to the letter of the law you could set your own regime based on usage BUT if you had to defend the case as a result of an accident I feel sure the HSE and Judge would look to the industry normal practice as an acceptable standard. therefor 6Months.
With regard to testing, firstly why not replace every 6 Months, if you only have 1 item it will probably be cheaper as most inspection companies will charge by the hour and you need to get the item to and from them.
If you wish to get them inspected ensure the persons inspecting is LEEA qualified and the company is LEEA registered.
I would suggest using LGH as was which is now part of SPEEDY hire lifting division, they will do an inspection on an hourly rate from memory about £35 per hr.
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#5 Posted : 15 January 2008 12:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By GSD
Badger, in my opinion you would be better off purchasing a new sling every 6 months as it would be supplied with a certificate. This would be far more cost effective than having the sling re-inspected every 6 months (assuming you have very few slings).
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#6 Posted : 15 January 2008 13:10:00(UTC)
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Posted By alex mccreadie
Barrie I agree with GSD you can pick up these slings dependant on your bargaining skills from £14-£25 each.It makes the paperwork easy as well.

Ta Alex
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#7 Posted : 15 January 2008 13:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Colin Reeves
Barrie

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/90-4.htm

There is no longer a set 5 years for testing (para 85 I recall). However, there has to be a "thorough examination" every 6 months as a sling is a "lifting accessory". this examination has to be done by a "competent person".

If you have no competent person employed within your organisation your insurers may be able to assist (many of our examinations are done by an insurance surveyor who visits on a six monthly basis).

However, as said by others, this is a costly exercise so replacement may well be the pragmatic and cheapest way forward.

Colin
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#8 Posted : 16 January 2008 08:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Barrie

You need a competent person to give you a scheme of examination if you are going to depart from the 6 monthly inspection regime. You do not say if these are fibre or chain slings as this can affect the viability of new purchase every six months. Have you also considered the hire option as it would remove all storage and testing problems.

Your insurers will probably have the names of their preferred examiners but a google search throws up a number of them.

Bob
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