INSPECTION TESTING FOR LIFTING TACKLES / MACHINES

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Statutory requirements

The distinct feature of the Factories Act. 1948 in respect of lifting appliances is the initial and periodical testing and annual thorough examination by “Competent Person” Competent Person is defined as follows in the Factories Act.

Competent Person means a person or an institution recognized as such by the Chief inspector for the purpose of carrying out tests, examination and inspection required to be done in a factory under the provision of the Act.

Competent person can be an individual or an institution, which will be declared so based on the qualifications and experience of the person and the facilities for test, examination and inspection available with the person or the institution in which he is employed.

Thus a good number of professionals, agencies, test houses and workshops throughout the country are declared as ‘Competent Person’ for any of the specified purpose of testing and examination of lifting machines or lifting tackles such as chain, ropes, shackles, etc. or for both. Based on the qualifications and experience of persons employed in a factory and the test facilities available in the factory, the persons within the factory may also be declared as Competent Persons for purpose of testing and examination of lifting appliances installed and used within the factory.

In the Factories Act, Section 29 is on lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles. It defines lifting machines and lifting tackles as given below.

Lifting machine means a crane, crab, winch, teagle, pulley block, gin wheel, transporter or runway.

Lifting Tackle means any chain sling, rope sling, hook, shackle, swivel, coupling, socket, clamp, tray or similar appliance, whether fixed or movable, used in connection with raising or lowering of persons, or loads lift by use of lifting machines.

As per the Factories Act, lifting machines, chain, ropes and lifting tackles should be properly maintained and thoroughly examined at least once in every period of twelve months by a competent person and a register shall be kept containing the prescribed particulars of every such
examination.

Factories Rules framed by the State Govt. under the Factories Act require testing of the lifting machines and tackles followed by thorough examination before these are taken into use and after repairs. The rules also provide details of the heat treatment required.

Inspection Criteria

• Shackles, Rings, etc. shall be removed from service when any of the following defects are visible:

·
Wear, corrosion, spreading or deformation (greater than 10 percent of new condition).

·
Visible crack.

·
Nonstandard shackle pins.

·
Any other apparent defects which cause doubt as to the strength of the equipment.