Hoist safety

There are many different options for sailors to get in and out of boats and a full assessment of each sailor should be made before deciding that a hoist is the only option.

Introduction

For some, access to a hoist, along with trained and competent volunteers or staff, makes the difference between whether they can go boating or not.

Every year a significant number of incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in which people are injured while being moved by hoisting equipment. The information contained in this guidance note aims to help Sailability sites ensure they have the right processes in place to prevent accidents. More information can be found in the HSE's publication 'Getting to grips with hoisting people'.

Sailability sites will use other lifting equipment and many of the same issues covered in this guidance will be relevant but may vary slightly because people are not involved.

This advice and guidance note draws on Health and Safety Executive published practice and has been externally validated by Health and Safety consultants.

Legislation

Organisations and individuals have a duty of care to each other and others who may be affected by their activities. Health and Safety legislation and the subsequent regulations impose duties on employers and is aimed at protecting employees and others who may be affected by work activities.

Following the requirements of the regulations listed below is likely to mean satisfying these legal duties for both voluntary organisations and employers.

Hoists and slings are considered to be medical devices (see Medical Device Directive) and the equipment manufacturer is required to provide suitable instructions for use, including compatibility information and guidance on the checks and examinations you should carry out. In addition, there are two key pieces of legislation affecting the use of hoists:

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

This regulation has been prepared by the HSE for the Health and Safety Commission. It is now law under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Its aim is to reduce risks to people using lifting equipment. LOLER requires Sites to:

Ensure that lifting equipment is strong and stable enough for its intended use and that it is marked with its maximum load.
Position and install equipment, minimising the risk to operators and users.
Use the equipment safely and ensure all hoist lifts are planned, organised and performed by trained people.
Ensure equipment and its accessories have regular checks and examinations.

Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Equipment provided for use at work must be suitable for its intended use
All equipment must be safe for use and maintained in a safe condition
The equipment is only used by persons who have had appropriate training and have access to user guides
Equipment must be accompanied by suitable safety measures such as protective devices, markings and warnings.

Quick guide to required actions

For equipment used to lift people - please read the whole guide for definitions and context

Thorough examination

A thorough examination is needed, with a given regularity, by a specified person, and records kept, as follows:

Before use for the first time | once, unless the equipment has an EC Declaration of Conformity, less than one year old and it was not assembled on site | by a competent person | with records kept for the whole time the equipment is in service
After being moved to a new location (this does not apply to different areas of the same site) | once | by a competent person | kept for the whole time equipment is in service
Regularly, while in service | every 6 months or in line with an examination scheme put in place by a competent person | competent person | Until the next report is made or for two years, whichever is later
Following an incident or exceptional circumstances | as required after damage or failure, if out of use for long periods, or if major changes happen – e.g. modifications | by a competent person
A load test as part of the thorough examination | if deemed necessary by a competent person | carried out by a competent person | with records kept until the next report is mode or for two years, whichever is later

Pre use

A pre use check is needed, with a given regularity, by a specified person, and records kept, as follows:

Before the start of each session or prior to each shift change or change in staff / volunteers operating the equipment | by someone who has been trained to carry out these checks but not the same as the organisation's competent person | there is no requirement for these checks to be recorded

Maintenance

Maintenance is needed, with a given regularity, by a specified person, and records kept, as follows:

Routine maintenance | determined by risk assessment and manufacturer guidance | by someone trained to carry out this work | with record keeping not required but recommended

Operators

All operators need to, with a given regularity, by a specified person, and records kept, as follows:

Be trained | periodically for all and always after any concerns raised about an individual's competency |by someone trained to provide this training | with training records maintained for all operators
Have access to manufacturers written guides | available at all times
Have appropriate personal protective equipment | available at all times
Have access to policies and procedures relating to reporting issues, and to individuals' handling plans

Equipment user

Equipment users need with a given regularity, by a specified person, and records kept, as follows:

An individual handling plan | annually or if there is any change in the user's needs or any concern has been raised | by someone trained to carry out these plans | with records kept indefinitely

Thorough examinations

There is a requirement for a competent person to examine the equipment every 6 months

A thorough examination needs to be carried out by a competent person. Where equipment is used to lift people, after it is commissioned, even if it is not repositioned and there are no incidents, there is still a requirement for a competent person to examine the equipment every 6 months unless there is an examination scheme that specifies a different timescale.

What is covered by a thorough examination?

This will depend on the judgement of the competent person undertaking the examination, but needs to include all matters which affects safety including hoists and accessories, and their likely deterioration with time.

For most common lifting equipment and accessories, there are industry standard procedures and criteria which a competent person would follow.

What is an examination scheme?

An examination scheme involves a thorough examination and would include a detailed schedule of checks, appropriate examination techniques and testing requirements, drawn up to suit the operating conditions of a specific item of lifting equipment. This can help ensure that the resources you spend more accurately reflect the level of risk. The examination scheme:

Should identify the parts of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined;
Can cover several similar items subject to the same operating conditions
May exceptionally specify periods that are different (longer or shorter) from the 6 monthly ‘Thorough In Service Examination’ intervals. However, a longer period must be based on a rigorous assessment of the risks and be recommended by the competent person;
Should include details of any other inspection regimes for the equipment that are in place;
Can be drawn up by the user, owner, manufacturer or some other independent person, as long as they have the necessary competence;
Should be reviewed regularly, during each thorough examination and after any event that may alter the risks associated with the lifting equipment. You must inform the competent person of any incidents that may affect the risks associated with the use of the equipment.

Definition of a competent person

LOLER considers a competent person to be someone with the relevant technical knowledge and practical experience of lifting equipment to enable them to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess their importance in relation to the safety and continued use of the specific equipment being examined. This person should be sufficiently independent and impartial. However, this does not mean that they should be employed by an external company. If someone in the organisation has the necessary competence they can use it. However, ‘in house’ examiners must have genuine authority and independence to ensure examinations are properly carried out and that the necessary recommendations arising from them are made without fear or favour.

What happens if defects are found in the lifting equipment?

If the competent person finds a defect during the thorough examination which in their opinion is, or could become, a danger to people, they must tell you immediately and confirm this in the report of thorough examination.
If the competent person discovers a defect that involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, then they must tell you immediately and send a copy of their report to the relevant enforcing authority (HSE) even if the defects are remedied immediately. A competent person who fails to report a defect, simply because it has been remedied on the spot, is disguising a potentially dangerous situation.
You must take action to rectify any defect you are told about. If you are notified of a serious and significant defect, you must immediately take the lifting equipment out of service until the defect has been put right. If you do not you will be breaking the law.
For defects that need to be rectified within a certain timescale, you must repair or replace the defective equipment within the specified time, and not use after that time unless the defect has been satisfactorily put right.

Load tests

Most lifting equipment does not need routine load testing as part of the thorough examination, in fact some overload tests can cause damage to lifting equipment. Where testing is deemed necessary, it may not need be undertaken at every thorough examination. The need for, and nature of, testing should be based on an assessment of risk, taking account of information from the manufacturer and other relevant information, as determined by the competent person.

Pre-use checks and maintenance

Pre-use checks should be carried out at the start of any session or when there is a change in operator/s. Routine maintenance ensures equipment continues to operate as intended.

Pre-Use Checks

The inspection criteria should be linked to the Risk Assessment and any Examination Schedule in place and should include all aspects of the equipment being used, particularly the hoist itself and slings. They should be carried out by someone who is trained to carry out this work. It is important to note that the HSE recommend that this person should not normally be the same as the ‘competent person’ to ensure independence and prevent an individual examining their own work. It also provides a regular double check of the equipment. The manufacturer will be able to advise on the checks that should be carried out on which parts of the equipment. There is no requirement for these checks to be recorded. However, it is expected that there will be clear policy and procedure in place to ensure that any concerns raised during pre-use checks are followed up and that faulty equipment cannot be used prior to any remedial action being taken.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance typically involves checking and replacing worn or damaged parts, lubrication, replacing time-expired components, topping up fluid levels and making routine adjustment. This is to ensure the equipment continues to operate as intended, and risks associated with wear or deterioration are avoided.

The regular thorough examination may indicate areas of poor maintenance, but it is not intended to replace it. You should not wait for the results of a thorough examination before carrying out maintenance on your lifting equipment.

The frequency of such inspections should be determined through risk assessment, taking full account of:

The manufacturer’s recommendations
The intensity of use
Operating environment (temperature, weathering, corrosion etc.)
User knowledge and experience
The risk to the health and safety from any foreseeable failure or malfunction.

Safety critical parts of equipment may need a higher and more frequent level of attention than other aspects, which can be reflected within any maintenance programme. Breakdown maintenance, undertaken only after faults or failures have occurred, will not be suitable where significant risk will arise from the continued use of the equipment.

The manufacturer’s instructions should describe what maintenance is required to keep the equipment safe and how this can be done safely. These instructions should always be followed, unless there are justifiable reasons for not doing so (e.g. where more frequent maintenance is necessary due to, for example adverse environmental conditions). Maintenance on a less frequent basis than the manufacturer’s recommendation should be subject to careful risk assessment.

Maintenance logs are not required but are recommended for high risk equipment. These can provide useful information for the future planning of maintenance as well as informing maintenance personnel of previous action taken. However, if you do keep a log then you must keep it up to date.

Adaptations

Any adaptations you make to any part of the hoist, or slings, should be discussed with the manufacturer.

Operators

Clubs and centres have responsibility to ensure volunteers and staff are fully trained.

PUWER states that sites and centres have responsibility to ensure volunteers and staff are fully trained to understand the equipment they are using and the needs of those being hoisted both to protect the individual and themselves. Staff and volunteers need to have access to:

Training on the equipment they will be using
Access to user guides and other relevant written instruction
A copy of the individuals handling plan
Input into the development of the individual’s handling plan where appropriate
Training in the techniques to be used
Training to ensure that they understand the risks to both the individual and themselves and knowledge of measures to control these risks
Access to the organisations policies and procedures in relation to reporting and rectifying issues related to equipment and practice

Training

Sites need to make sure that volunteers and staff receive adequate training and information on people moving and handling. Practical training has an important role to play in ensuring volunteers and staff have the skills and confidence to hoist people safely. In addition to practising equipment selection and use, staff need to understand the principles of hoisting, the potential risks, how to use the specific equipment in place and how to implement individual handling plans. There is no firm rule about how often training should be given. However, skills will, inevitably, deteriorate over time. Provide update or refresher training periodically, or when competency assessment identifies the need for further training. Also remember to retrain when any new lifting aids are introduced or there are changes to the method of work.

A record of training for each operator must be kept and made available to the HSE should there be an incident.

Individual handling plan

Each person should have a specific handling plan to match their individual needs as well as the needs of the volunteers/staff involved.

This should take account of the views and preferences of the individual being hoisted.

For most people who need hoisting in a Sailability environment it is expected they will already have an individual handling plan that covers being lifted outside the home environment. There is no need to produce a new plan in such circumstances.

There may be circumstances where a person is not normally lifted using a hoist, and so does not have an individual handling plan. An Individual Handling plan should be created if this is the case, but it can be based on a standard set of hazards if it allows for individual control measures.

An individual handling plan should include the following:

Specific equipment to be used
Techniques to be used
Number of volunteers/staff to facilitate the lift
Sling attachment loops to be used and where applicable
Leg/arm/head position to be maintained during the lift

Individual handling plans should be reviewed regularly or when an individuals’ circumstances change or when anyone involved expresses concerns about the process.

An individual already has their own Handling Plan that covers being lifted outside the home environment

The existing plan should be discussed with the staff / volunteers at the Sailability site.

An individual does not have an Individual Handling Plan

RYA Sailability have produced a plan that covers a standard set of hazards and allows for specific and individual control measures as needed. If a person needs to be hoisted but doesn’t have an existing individual handling plan, the standard plan should discussed with the individual and adapted as necessary.

An individual should only be hoisted without a lifting plan in the event of an emergency. Consideration of the above points should be given and, where possible, consultation with the sailor should take place.