IMS9.4.6.26 Rigging Register Establishment and Management Procedure

1.0   PURPOSE

 To ensure that records are maintained of the inspection and replacement dates of wires, ropes, shackles and other gear used in lifting, rigging, mooring, securing and other Seamanship and Rigging applications.

2.0   SCOPE

This procedure is applicable to all vessels and locations currently operating under the management of SeaLink Gladstone

3.0   REFERENCES

• IMS4.2.2 Assurance Manual
• IMS9.3.1 Planning Hazard and Risk Identification, Assessment Control Procedure
• IMS9.2 Occupational Health and Safety Policy
• AS/NZS4801: 2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• QLD Work Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations  2011
• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practise 2011

4.0   DEFINITIONS

Company - SeaLink

Must - Means Mandatory

MPM - Marine Planned Maintenance system

5.0   REQUIREMENTS

5.1   Major Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Items

Major lifting and load restraint equipment items are defined as uniquely identifiable items to which an individual identification number can be allocated. It is expected that these items will either be

• mechanical devices that require some servicing, or

• may be subject to high rates of wear, or

• are relatively expensive to replace, or

• have a somewhat specialised function not provided by other available equipment.

The history of these items will be monitored on an individual basis.

The following items are regarded as "major" lifting equipment items and must have an individual identification number allocated.

• Webbing slings, wire rope slings and chain slings with a safe working load (SWL) rating greater than 400kg.

• Load restraint equipment items with rated capacity exceeding 400kg.

5.2   Minor Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Items

Minor lifting and load restraint equipment items are general rigging and load restraint items that are commonly used in lifting, rigging and load restraint activities but not readily uniquely identifiable. These include small webbing slings, wire rope slings and chain slings, hooks, shackles, swivels, snatch blocks, spreaders, shear legs and similar equipment. It is expected that these will generally be simple items, regarded as consumable, and routinely replaced as required. The history of these items will not be monitored on an individual basis but regular inspection must still be carried out.

Note: "Minor" lifting and load restraint equipment items may be allocated individual identification numbers or be grouped, at the companies discretion.

5.3   Overview

A register of all lifting and load restraint equipment items must be maintained for each Vessel/Area. Periodic inspection of lifting and load restraint equipment must be completed by a competent person. Period inspections must be appropriate to the nature of the equipment and its working conditions, and be performed no less than annually. The personnel using the equipment must also inspect the lifting and load restraint equipment before each use.

Lifting and load restraint equipment found to be or suspected of being defective, damaged or otherwise not safe to use must have an Out of Service tag attached and must not be used.

5.4   Responsibilities

5.4.1 Masters / Managers 

Masters / Managers are responsible for ensuring that:

• all lifting and load restraint equipment is registered and that the register is kept up to date

• employees who use lifting and load restraint equipment are trained in the correct use of the equipment

• responsible team members conduct regular inspections of lifting and load restraint equipment

• damaged or faulty lifting and load restraint equipment is repaired or replaced.

5.4.2 Employees

Employees are responsible for:

• inspecting lifting and load restraint equipment before each use,

• ensuring any damaged or defective lifting or load restraint equipment is immediately tagged with an Out of Service tag and taken out of service.

• reporting any damaged or defective lifting or load restraint equipment to the Supervisor

5.4.3 Managers

Managers are responsible for compliance with procedures and auditing the system annually.

5.4.4 Maintenance Department

Maintenance Department must be responsible for:

• maintaining a register of all lifting and load restraint equipment,

• inspecting, labeling and registering all new major lifting and load restraint equipment items,

• arranging annual inspections of all lifting and load restraint equipment and recording results.

5.5 Selection and Procurement

All lifting and load restraint equipment must comply with relevant codes and standards.

5.6 Registration of Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Items

5.6.1 Major Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Items

Each major lifting and load restraint equipment item, as defined in 5.1, must be allocated a unique identification number, and must be individually registered in the MPM.

On receipt of a new major lifting or load restraint equipment item, the Manager - Maintenance department is responsible for the inspection, registration and labeling of the item.

The register must be kept on the maintenance system, and a record kept for each major lifting and load restraint equipment item. Details to be recorded on the register are:

• Identification Number
• item description,
• manufacturer/supplier and serial number,
• SWL capacity,
• date of purchase,
• vessel/area and location, 
• details of repairs and inspections,
• test history.

5.6.2 Minor Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Items

Minor lifting and load restraint equipment items do not require individual identification numbers but must still be recorded in the register as a group of items so that inspection can be initiated when required. For example, a record such as "D shackles, various sizes" should be entered in the register.

At the companies discretion, groups of minor lifting and load restraint equipment items may be allocated a single Identification number in the same format as for individual items to allow the group number to be entered in the Lifting Equipment Register, and for the inspection history of the group to be recorded.

At the companies discretion, individual minor lifting and load restraint equipment items may be allocated unique identifiers and be registered in the Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Register in the same manner as for major lifting and load restraint equipment items.

5.6.3 Lifting and Load Restraint Equipment Identification Numbers

The identification numbers for lifting and load restraint equipment items must be in developed to compliment the MPM system. Where the number has been allocated to an individual lifting or load restraint equipment item, the number must be securely and durably affixed to the item, by securely attaching a metal tag onto which the number has been engraved or stamped.

5.7 Precautions

5.7.1 General

WARNING: KEEP WELL CLEAR OF SUSPENDED LOADS. NEVER PASS UNDER OR WORK UNDER A SUSPENDED LOAD.

Take the following precautions when using lifting and load restraint equipment:

• Verify safe working load.
• Check hooks for safety catch operation.
• Ensure freedom of movement before applying loads.
• Do not overload. Never use additional power or leverage on a hand chain or handle.
• Do not throw or drop lifting and load restraint equipment.
• Protect slings and chains from sharp corners.
• Never apply heat to chains or blocks.
• Keep slings clear of any chemical spillage
• Eyebolts are to be thoroughly inspected by a competent person prior to being used to lift equipment such as: electric motors, gearboxes, switchgear and the like; by their eyebolts.
• If there is doubt that the eyebolt is original, it should not be used as a lifting point.

NOTE: The process for using collared eyebolts for lifting can be found in AS 2317

• Always use a watch person when carrying out a lift where the operator of the hoist or crane cannot see the load being lifted. Provide proper communication between watch person and operator.
• Install safety tape and warning signs as appropriate to prevent people passing under suspended load.

5.7.2 Wire Ropes and Slings

• Wire ropes and slings must be discarded if any of the following defects are observed following evaluation by a competent person:
• There are signs of stretching.
• The number of broken wires is more than 10 per cent of the total, in one rope lay or in a length equivalent to 8 rope diameters.
• The rope is distorted due to kinking, crushing or core collapse.
• Signs of detrimental corrosion are evident.
• There is damage or distortion immediately adjacent to the termination.
• There is damage to the ferrule on a ferrule-secured eye-terminated sling.
• The thimbles are loose or deformed.

5.7.3 Chains and Chain Slings

Chain slings must be checked to ensure they are clearly marked with the safe working load (SWL), and that safety latches on hooks are fully operable and hammer locks on chain assemblies are secure.

Chain slings must not be used if the chain or links are:

• worn or corroded,
• deformed, chipped, nicked or cracked, or
• have damaged master links, couplings and attachments.
• Take the following precautions when using chain slings:
• If a chain has been subjected to shock or impact loads, carefully examine all links before returning the chain to service.
• Do not overload a chain.
• Do not use a chain in which the links are locked, stretched or without free movement.
• Do not hammer a chain to straighten a link or to force a link into position.
• Do not allow the angle between the legs of a multiple leg sling to exceed 120_ (the SWL of a multiple leg sling decreases as the angle between the legs increases).
• Do not drag a chain from under a load.
• Do not roll loads over a chain.

5.7.4 Web, Round and Fibre Slings

Take the following precautions when using web, round and fibre slings:

• Before use, visually inspect slings and all attachments for defects. Do not use damaged or defective slings or slings that do not have a manufacturer’s tag with I/D No. and/or SWL.
• Avoid shock loads.
• Do not drag slings from under a load. Support the load to allow easy removal of slings.
• Do not apply heat to slings.
• Do not leave slings on lifting hooks when not in use.
• Clean slings and return to storage after use.

5.8   Inspection

All lifting and load restraint equipment must be inspected periodically, at least annually and history kept in the MPM Maintenance System. 

Lifting and load restraint equipment must be serviced, and tested, by a Competent Person to the manufacturer’s specifications. Proof loading, if required, must be carried out by an authorised organisation.

Note: Attachments and accessories, such as master links, couplings, plate clamps and drum lifters, must be registered and inspected in accordance with this Procedure.

Note: If an item of lifting or load restraint equipment is used very frequently, say more often than once each week, then the frequency of inspection should be increased accordingly to ensure that the item is safe for use at all times.

5.9   Defective Equipment

If a piece of lifting or load restraint equipment is deemed by a competent person to be defective, an Out of Service tag must be attached to it and the equipment must be returned to the Master/Manager for repair or replacement. Defective equipment must be rendered unusable and discarded and the register of Lifting Equipment adjusted accordingly.

5.10  Auditing

Vessel Masters must conduct an annual audit using the Internal Audit Checklist to check compliance with the procedures. Any remedial corrective actions identified must be addressed in a timely manner.

5.11  Storage

All lifting and load restraint equipment and accessories must be correctly stored in a clean, dedicated area. All items of equipment should be stored off the ground, and slings stored on frame, categorised by SWL. Chains and wire rope slings should be lightly oiled. Accessories should be stored on a peg board where possible.

6.0   EXHIBITS

Nil.