Policy No: RM19 Version: 5.0 Name of Policy: Lifting Equipment Protocol Effective From: 31/05/2016 Date Ratified 12/05/2016 Ratified Health & Safety Committee Review Date 01/05/2018 Sponsor Deputy Chief Executive Expiry Date 11/05/2019 Withdrawn Date Unless this copy has been taken directly from the Trust intranet site (Pandora) there is no assurance that this is the most up to date version This policy supersedes all previous issues. Lifting Equipment Protocol v5
Version Control Version Release Author / Ratified By / Date Reviewer Authorised By 1.0 Oct 2004 H Hill H&SC Oct 2004 Changes (Please identify page no.) 2.0 Feb 2010 S Bell/J Hill H&SC 11.11.08 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 3.0 C. Traill H&SC 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 4.0 C. Traill H&SC 15/05/2014 No change 5.0 31/05/2016 C. Traill H&SC 12/05/2016 4,5 Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 2
Contents Section Page 1 Introduction... 4 2 Policy scope... 4 3 Aim of policy... 4 4 Duties (Roles and responsibilities)... 4 5 Definitions... 6 6 Main Body of the policy... 7 6.1 Suitability of Lifting Equipment... 7 6.2 Strength and Stability... 7 6.3 Lifting Equipment Used for Lifting Persons... 7 6.4 Positioning and Installation... 7 6.5 Marking of Lifting Equipment... 7 6.6 Organisation of Lifting Operations... 8 6.7 Thorough Examination and Inspection... 8 7 Training... 10 8 Equality and diversity... 10 9 Monitoring compliance with the policy... 10 10 Consultation and review... 11 11 Implementation of policy (including raising awareness)... 11 12 References... 11 13 Associated documentation (policies)... 11 Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 3
LIFTING EQUIPMENT PROTOCOL 1 INTRODUCTION This document sets out safety responsibilities and advice associated with work equipment used for lifting/lowering patients and other loads which managers are required to incorporate into their divisional/department health and safety arrangements. Lifting Equipment is subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, Lifting Equipment is also subject to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 and the Trust s Policy on Work Equipment (RM13) should be read in conjunction with this advice. The Trust attaches the greatest importance to the health, safety and welfare of its employees at work and pays particular attention to the establishment of a safe system of work in connection with the provision of lifting equipment and its use. This is in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 supporting Health and Safety statutes and in regard to other subordinate regulations (The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999). 2 Policy scope 3 Aim This protocol is Trust wide and applies to all members of staff employed/working within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and covers all lifting equipment owned, borrowed and hired by the Trust, both old and new. It does not cover moving and handling operations as these are covered by the Trust Manual Handling Policy. The aim of this protocol is to ensure lifting equipment is provided, maintained and used safely in accordance with standards set out in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and other regulations so as to minimise the risk of injury to patients, staff, visitors and others. 4 Duties Roles and Responsibilities 4.1 Chief Executive The Chief Executive is responsible to the Trust Board for the effective implementation of the Lifting Equipment Protocol. 4.2 Deputy Chief Executive The Deputy Chief Executive is responsible to the Chief Executive for the overall coordination and implementation of the protocol within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. 4.3 QE Facilities Estates, Engineering Department The QEF Estates Engineering Department have a duty to:- Advise Trust managers on the safety of lifting equipment. Provide technical advice on the purchase of lifting equipment. Appoint competent persons to undertake regular thorough examination of lifting equipment. Ensure lifting equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person before use unless a current EC declaration of conformity is obtained. Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 4
Inspect new electrical equipment prior to use. Undertake initial inspections of lifting equipment prior to use ensuring correct installation where there is significant risk to staff. Ensure lifting equipment is regularly thoroughly examined by competent persons in accordance with an agreed schedule and records of examinations are kept. Undertake suitable technical inspections between thorough examinations where these have been agreed as necessary following the local managers risk assessment, as advised by the competent person and following manufacturer's instructions. Take appropriate action to rectify defects, which have been identified in inspection reports. Retain any EC declaration of conformity obtained and initial thorough examination reports until they cease using the LE, retain exceptional circumstance/regular thorough examination reports for 2 years and any inspection reports made under LOLER until the next report is made. Maintain an inventory of patient hoists Electronics Department 4.4 Heads of Department In addition to complying with the duties set out in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Policy RM13 Heads of Department responsible for lifting equipment will have a duty to ensure that adequate and suitable risk assessments are carried out on lifting equipment and safe systems of work are implemented so as to reduce the risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. They should also ensure that the Key Requirements of LOLER detailed in Section 6 are complied with. 4.5 Clinical Ergonomics Department The Clinical Ergonomics Department will:- Provide advice on the purchase of suitable patient lifting equipment Assist the Estates Department to organise the thorough examination of patient lifting equipment. Provide expert advice to managers and staff when needed. Keep an inventory of patient hoists. Will assist in the training of staff in the use of patient LE. 4.6 All Staff It will be the duty of every employee to ensure that:- They take reasonable care of themselves and of others who may be affected by their activity. Such instruction and training is undertaken as deemed necessary. Lifting equipment is used in accordance with local procedure and manufacturers instructions. They report any problems, defects, concerns or potential hazards they encounter with lifting equipment as soon as possible to their line manager. They report defects via the call logging system. They report incidents via the Datix incident reporting system. They check lifting equipment and associated consumables e.g. slings used with patient hoist prior to use in accordance with information, training and instructions received. Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 5
5 Definitions They do not knowingly, wilfully or recklessly use lifting equipment which is faulted, or use work equipment other than for its intended use. LOLER defines lifting equipment as "work equipment used at work for lifting and lowering loads and includes attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting the load." Such a definition covers a wide range of equipment including; cranes, patient hoists, scissors lifts, fork lift trucks, passenger lifts, mobile elevating work platforms, vehicle inspection platform hoists, vehicle tail lifts, garage jacks, bath hoists, dumb waiters, and pallet trucks. Attachments include chains, ropes, slings, pulleys, eyebolts, shackles, anchor points, karabiners, harnesses and strops; examples of situations include rope and pulley systems on building sites and ropes used for climbing or work positioning in arboriculture. Equipment that does not have as its principal function a use for lifting or lowering is generally excluded from LOLER, e.g. horizontal conveyors or horizontal winching operations, however, the safety of such equipment would be subject to PUWER. Equipment which has an element of lifting as part of its normal operation e.g. variable height bed or dentist s chair, but where the principal function is as a bed or chair and not as a device for lifting/lowering would not normally be classed as lifting equipment. The feature of height adjustability would not normally be interpreted as lifting. LOLER applies whether the equipment is owned, borrowed or hired, old or new. 6 Key Requirements of LOLER 6.1 Suitability of Lifting Equipment Regulation 4(1)-(2) of LOLER requires the Trust to ensure lifting equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. By selecting the correct lifting equipment for particular tasks and processes it is possible to eliminate or reduce many risks to the health and safety of people in the workplace. 6.2 Strength and Stability Regulation 4 of LOLER requires that lifting equipment be sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use, with an appropriate factor of safety against failure built in. Similarly the load and anything attached to it must be suitable and of adequate strength. 6.3 Lifting Equipment Used for Lifting Persons Regulation 5 of LOLER requires the Trust to ensure that lifting equipment for lifting persons does not present a risk of crushing or trapping, nor must people be at risk of falling from the equipment or being struck by it. The equipment must have suitable devices to prevent persons falling and that any person who is trapped is not exposed to danger and a reliable means of rescue is available. The lifting or lowering of persons by equipment which is not specifically designed for that purpose (e.g. fork lift truck, telescopic handler, etc.) should not be undertaken, except in exceptional circumstances where it is not practicable to gain access by a less hazardous means. Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 6
6.4 Positioning and Installation Regulation 6 of LOLER requires that lifting equipment must be positioned or installed to as low as reasonably practicable prevent the risk of the equipment or the load striking people, or the risk of the load drifting, falling freely or being released unintentionally. 6.5 Marking of Lifting Equipment Regulation 7 of LOLER requires lifting machinery and any associated accessories to be marked with their safe working load (SWL). Where it is not practicable to mark the equipment itself (e.g. ropes, slings, karabiners, strops, and harnesses for rope access), a coding system should be used to provide the user with the SWL (e.g. colour coding, label). This also applies where the SWL is dependent upon varying configurations (e.g. fork lift truck fitted with attachments). Any carrier of persons should also display the maximum number of persons to be carried in addition to the SWL. Where a significant hazard arises from the use of lifting equipment, appropriate equipment or devices such as rated capacity indicators/limiters should be provided. 6.6 Organisation of Lifting Operations Regulation 8 of LOLER requires the Trust to ensure that every lifting operation (including lowering loads) is: a) properly planned by a competent person i.e. person has adequate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of lifting operations. The plan must address identified risks, resources required, procedures, responsibilities etc); b) appropriately supervised (proportionate to the risk - taking into account the personnel involved); c) carried out in a safe manner. 6.7 Thorough Examination and Inspection Regulation 9 of LOLER requires the Trust to ensure that lifting equipment is thoroughly examined and inspected by a competent person, who should be someone with appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the particular lifting equipment and have an element of independence and impartiality. The risks arising from failure will determine how thorough the examination needs to be. Thorough examination may be needed at several points in the life of lifting equipment. 6.7.1 Prior to first use Before any lifting equipment is used for the first time, a thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person unless there is physical evidence available to show that it is safe to use. This would include if the equipment (a) has not been used before and there is documentation drawn up within the 12 months prior to its first use, an initial test certificate in the form of an "EC Declaration of Conformity" or Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 7
(b) has been obtained from another organisation (e.g. hired or borrowed) and is accompanied by evidence that the necessary thorough examination has been carried out, (e.g. a copy of the latest test certificate is available). This evidence or the competent person's examination report must be kept until the Trust ceases to use the lifting equipment, or in the case of accessories, 2 years. Additionally a thorough examination is required after substantial or significant modification or repair. This covers installation in a new location or a reconfiguration. 6.7.2 Periodic examinations once equipment is in service Lifting equipment must also be thoroughly examined at intervals specified within LOLER or shorter intervals if the competent person considers this appropriate, or in accordance with the intervals specified in the examination scheme for the equipment. Lifting equipment in use must be thoroughly examined at least every 12 months; Accessories (chains, slings, ropes, etc.) must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months; Equipment used for lifting people must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months; For the above, the examination is in accordance with a written examination scheme and is to identify any remedial action in good time before deterioration affects safety. 6.7.3 After adverse incidents Lifting equipment must also be inspected by a competent person after any incident or circumstances which may have adversely affected the safety or integrity of the equipment, e.g. involvement in an accident or dangerous occurrence or after long periods out of use. 6.7.4 Inspection of Lifting Equipment by a competent person. It is a requirement of LOLER that those Wards, departments and services within the Trust who own and operate lifting equipment make it available for regular inspection and implement any recommendations made by the competent person appointed or employed by the QE Facilities Estates Department. 6.7.5 Reports and Defects Regulation 10 of LOLER requires the competent person making a: thorough examination to: notify any dangerous defects to the Trust forthwith; Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 8
report in writing to be made as soon as is practicable a) to the Trust and b) to any person from whom the equipment has been hired or leased; where the defect involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, a copy of the report must be sent as soon as practicable to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE); the Trust must ensure that the lifting equipment is not used before the defect is remedied, or after a time specified in a report and before the defect is remedied. inspection to: notify the Trust immediately of any dangerous defects; as soon as practicable, make a record of the inspection in writing. NOTE: defective lifting equipment must not be used until such defects have been rectified, unless the competent person indicates a timescale for the action to be taken; the latter is for defects that do not immediately endanger people but might do so in the near future. Such defective equipment must be either locked off to prevent use, appropriate signage used and all users informed of prohibition, or removed from the workplace to a secure location to prevent use, appropriately signed and users informed. 7 Training The Clinical Ergonomics Team will assist with the training of staff in the use of patient lifting equipment. Where other staff require specific training in the use, maintenance or inspection of lifting equipment, or managing or directing lifting operations (such as banksman training) this should be arranged with a suitable training provider by their line manager in consultation with their Head of Department. 8 Equality and diversity The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. Patient hoists and passenger lifts are provided to assist in ensuring that all services are accessible and available to everyone, however in situations where these are not available or suitable, reasonable adjustments will be made to make those services available and accessible. 9 Process(s) for monitoring compliance with the policy Standard / process / issue Safe Environment - Moving and Handling Use of lifting equipment Monitoring and audit Method By Committee Frequency Monitoring and review of incidents reported on Datix and the Estates call logging system H&S Advisor Health and Safety Committee. Annually Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 9
Monitoring and review of patient lifting equipment incidents reported by the CLIPA report and the Clinical Ergonomics Annual Report. Occ Health Dept Safecare Committee Annually 10 Consultation and review The policy has been reviewed with comments being sought from Estates staff, Risk Managers, the Occupational Health Department and staff side Health and Safety Reps. The Health and Safety Committee were involved in the review of the previous versions of the policy. 11 Implementation of policy (including raising awareness) This policy will be implemented in accordance with policy OP27 Policy for the development, management and authorisation of policies and procedures 12 References The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 13 Associated documentation (policies) RM02 Health and Safety Policy RM06 Manual Handling Policy RM17 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Policy PP29 Education, Training and Development Policy Lifting Equipment Protocol v5 10