Manual handling equipment facilitates the lifting, moving, and manipulation of loads. It plays a vital role in a range of industries and needs to be regularly inspected to ensure its continued safety and efficiency.
If you’re wondering how often should manual handling equipment be checked, then it’s important to be proactive. This can not only enhance workplace safety but can also extend the lifespan of the equipment and reduce the risk of unexpected failures.
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
The manufacturer should provide guidelines about how often should manual handling equipment be checked. This should set out a schedule for the inspection and maintenance of equipment based on its design, materials and usage considerations. Deviating from these recommendations could compromise safety and result in premature equipment failure.
Legislation and Standards Compliance
Stay informed about relevant legislation and industry standards governing manual handling equipment. Compliance with these regulations often includes specific requirements for inspection and maintenance intervals.
- Usage
High-usage equipment will usually require more frequent inspections compared to equipment that is used less often. Establish a routine inspection schedule based on the intensity and duration of use, ensuring that heavily used equipment is checked regularly to catch potential issues early.
- Pre-Use Check
Manual handling equipment should be checked before use. This will usually involve a quick visual inspection by the operator to identify any obvious visible abnormalities or other potential issues. Detecting problems early prevents the operation of faulty equipment and reduces the risk of accidents occurring. Safety should be a key element of operator training and development, ensuring they can correctly identify any potential issues with the equipment and take the appropriate action.
- Post-Use Inspection
Equipment should be inspected after particularly strenuous or challenging tasks. This should assess any potential accelerated wear and tear or particular problems that might have occurred. If necessary, routine servicing and maintenance could be brought forward to take into account the extra usage.
- Monthly Inspections
More comprehensive monthly inspections that go beyond visual checks should be conducted. These should involve a detailed examination of critical components, such as lifting mechanisms, handles, and structural integrity. Check for any signs of wear, corrosion, loose fittings, or any other anomalies that might potentially compromise the safety and performance of the equipment.
- Risk Assessments
Manual handling inspections should be integrated into regular risk assessments. Any potential hazards associated with the use of manual handling equipment should be identified and the inspection schedule adjusted accordingly. Equipment in heavy usage, or used in challenging conditions, could require more frequent checks to mitigate the impact of other factors on its safe operation and performance.
- Record Keeping
Keeping records of inspections and maintenance makes it possible to track the history and performance of equipment. Analysing trends in performance and identifying recurring problems can inform decisions about replacing equipment when required.
High-Quality Grinding Machines from Sparx
If you’re looking for a high-quality grinding machine, then Sparx Machine Tools can help. Our range can help you enhance precision and productivity in your operations.
At Sparx, our experienced team are always on hand to advise about surface grinding, manual handling and safe practice in the workplace.
To find out more, call us on 01202 830840 or complete the contact form and we will get back to you.