by Brianna Crandall — May 2, 2016 — BSI, the U.K.-based business standards company, recently revised its code of practice for the safe use of cranes as well as its standard for the safe use of construction hoists, in collaboration with stakeholders.
BS 7121-1 Code of practice for safe use of cranes
BSI revised BS 7121-1 Code of practice for safe use of cranes. General. This is one part of the BS 7121 suite of standards for safety in crane use, which is used by those planning and carrying out lifting operations with cranes in the United Kingdom.
It provides guidance on complying with the requirements of both the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998) and the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998), and is used by both the Health and Safety Executive and the U.K. courts as an indication of good practice. Following the guidance assists with mitigating the risk of accidents, injuries and fatalities during the setup, use and maintenance of cranes.
BS 7121-1 gives recommendations for the safe use of cranes permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment. Subjects covered include safe systems of work, selection, erection and dismantling, maintenance, inspection, thorough examination, operation, and the planning and management of lifting operations.
It is not applicable to the use of cranes for bungee jumping or similar entertainment activities or as part of a fully automated storage or production system.
BS 7212:2016 Code of practice for the safe use of construction hoists
BSI also revised BS 7212:2016 Code of practice for the safe use of construction hoists. Such hoists are used to transfer persons and / or goods between defined landing levels on sites of engineering and construction. The standard was developed to assist the construction industry in utilizing safe practices that help to protect both construction workers and the public alike.
The standard covers a number of developments that address safety issues described in good practice guidance produced by industry and endorsed by the HSE since the last edition published in 2006. These safety concerns include transportation of scaffolding, requirements for dual operating positions of goods hoists, the continued used of rope drive hoists, and more.
What BS 7212 also gives recommendations and guidance on the installation, maintenance, examination and operation of construction hoists, including hoistway protection, as well as the erection, alteration and dismantling of hoists, and sets out the responsibilities of the various parties involved in all these activities.
BS 7212 will be of use to anyone with an interest in the provision, installation, use, inspection, thorough examination, maintenance and dismantling of construction hoists, including construction companies and maintenance personnel.
Both standards are available from the BSI Shop (see links above).
