Mobiles: Overload Testing Rethink

摘要

The construction industry must wean itself off a dependence on four-yearly testing of mobile cranes, according to consultant Tim Watson. While four-yearly testing at 125% SWL dates back to 1961 and the regulations were replaced by LOLER [the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations] in 1998, much of the industry still relies on these certificates to prove that a crane is safe. "Manufacturers don't recommend overloading modern cranes except under very specific circumstances and some insurers actually ban the practice," said Watson. In place of testing, LOLER requires a thorough examination of the crane every 12 months (or six months if lifting people). Watson is working with the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) on a new best-practice guide on the maintenance and thorough examination of mobile cranes. It will feed into a revision of BS7121 Part 2 and could include measures such as data logging, oil analysis, annual brake strip downs and six-monthly tyre audits.