The Docks Regulations 1988

Markings and indicators on lifting plant

16.—(1) Every lifting appliance shall, subject to paragraph (2), be clearly and legibly marked with—

(a)its safe working load or safe working loads; and

(b)a means of identification.

(2) In the case of a lifting appliance having more than one safe working load, it shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph (1)(a) to have attached to the appliance tables setting out the safe working loads.

(3) Every crane whose safe working load varies with its operating radius shall, subject to paragraph (4), be fitted with an accurate indicator, clearly visible to the driver, showing the radius of the load lifting attachment at any time and the safe working load corresponding to that radius; and in this paragraph the reference to the radius of the load lifting attachment is, in a case where the attachment is suspended on the end of a rope, a reference to the radius of the attachment when it is vertically below the point at which the rope is suspended from the crane.

(4) In the case of a telescopic jib mobile crane operating with a fly jib or a locked jib extension, it shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph (3) for the said indicator to show the angle of inclination of the jib at any time and the safe working load corresponding to that angle; and in this paragraph“fly jib” means an accessory fitted to the jib to form an extended jib, and“locked jib extension” means a part of the crane extended from the jib manually to form an extended jib.

(5) Every item of lifting gear shall be clearly and legibly marked with its safe working load or safe working loads and a means of identification, except where such marking is not reasonably practicable, but in such a case the safe working load or loads shall be readily ascertainable by any user.

(6) Every item of lifting gear which weighs a significant proportion of the safe working load of any lifting appliance with which it is intended to be used shall, in addition to the requirement in paragraph (5), be clearly marked with its weight.

(7) Every mobile crane having either a fixed or a derricking jib shall, subject to paragraph (8), be fitted with an automatic safe load indicator of a type approved for the purposes of regulation 30 of the Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961(1), which indicator shall be—

(a)properly maintained; and

(b)tested and inspected by a competent person at appropriate intervals.

(8) Paragraph (7) shall not apply to any crane which—

(a)travels on a line of rails;

(b)has a safe working load of one tonne or less; or

(c)is fitted with a grab or magnet.