Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

items of lifting tackle
, usually used with 
cranes, include chain slings and hooks, wire and fi bre 
rope slings, eyebolts and shackles. Special care should 
be taken when slings are used to ensure that the load is 
properly secured and balanced. Lifting hooks should be 
checked for signs of wear and any distortion of the hook. 
Shackles and eyebolts must be correctly tightened. 
Slings should always be checked for any damage before 
they are used and only competent people should use 
Figure 10.11
Manoeuvring a yacht using a large overhead travelling gantry and slings in a marina.

---

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
154
them. Training and instruction in the use of lifting tackle 
is essential and should include regular inspections of the 
tackle, in addition to the mandatory thorough examin-
ations. Finally, care should be taken when these items 
are being stored between use. 
10.6 
Requirements for the statutory 
examination of lifting equipment 
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 
specify examinations required for lifting equipment by 
using two terms – an inspection and a thorough examin-
ation. Both terms are defi ned by the HSE in guidance 
accompanying various regulations. 
An 
inspection
is used to identify whether the 
equipment can be operated, adjusted and maintained 
safely so that any defect, damage or wear can be 
detected before it results in unacceptable risks. It is 
normally performed by a competent person appointed 
by the employer (often an employee). 
A 
thorough examination
is a detailed examin-
ation, which may involve a visual check, a disassembly 
and testing of components and/or an equipment test 
under operating conditions. Such an examination must 
normally be carried out by a competent person who is 
independent of the employer. The examination is usually 
carried out according to a written scheme and a written 
report is submitted to the employer. 
A detailed summary of the thorough examination and 
inspection requirements of the Lifting Operations and 
Lifting Equipment Regulations is given in Chapter 17. 
A thorough examination of lifting equipment should 
be undertaken at the following times: 
➤
before the equipment is used for the fi rst time 
➤
after it has been assembled at a new location 
➤
at least every 6 months for equipment for lifting per-
sons or a lifting accessory 
➤
at least every 12 months for all other lifting equip-
ment including the lifting of loads over people
➤
in accordance with a particular examination scheme 
drawn up by an independent competent person 
➤
each time that exceptional circumstances, which 
are likely to jeopardize the safety of the lifting equip-
ment, have occurred (such as severe weather). 
The person making the thorough examination of lifting 
equipment must: 
➤
notify the employer forthwith of any defect which, in 
their opinion, is or could become dangerous
➤
as soon as practicable (within 28 days) write an 
authenticated report to the employer and any per-
son who leased or hired the equipment. 
The Regulations specify the information that should be 
included in the report. 
The initial report should be kept for as long as the 
lifting equipment is used (except for a lifting accessory 
which need only be kept for two years). For all other