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2.8 Obligations of the plant operator
Operation of lifting platforms
In Germany,the use of lifting platforms is governed
by the mandatory "Employers' liability insurance
association regulations on health and work safety
as dened in DGUV-100-500(before BGR 500)
Section 2.10". In all other countries, the applicable
national regulations, laws and directives must be
observed.
Checking of lifting platforms
Checks are to be based on the following directives
and regulations:
•
Basic principles for testing lifting platforms
(DGUV-308-002 before BGG 945)
•
The basic health and safety requirements
stipulated in the directive 2006/42/EC
•
Harmonized European standards
•
The generally acknowledged rules of engineering
•
The directive on the use of equipment 89/655/
EEC and changes with DIRECTIVE 95/63/EC.
•
The applicable accident prevention regulations
The checks are to be organized by the user of the
lifting platform. The user is responsible for appointing
an expert or qualied person to perform checking. It
must be ensured that the person chosen satises the
requirements of BGG 945 as per Section 3.
The user bears special responsibility if em-
ployees of the company are appointed as
experts or qualied persons.
Scope of checking
Regular checking essentially involves performing a
visual inspection and a functional test. This includes
checking the condition of the components and equip-
ment, checking that the safety systems are complete
and functioning properly and that the inspection log
book is completely lled in.
The scope of exceptional checking depends on the
nature and extent of any structural modication or
repair work.
Regular checking
After initial commissioning, lifting platforms are to
be checked by a qualied person at intervals of not
longer than one year.
A qualied person is somebody with the training and
experience required to possess sufcient knowledge
of lifting platforms and who is sufciently familiar with
the pertinent national regulations, accident prevention
regulations and generally acknowledged rules of en-
gineering (e.g. BG rules, DIN Standards, VDE provisi-
ons, the technical regulations of other European Uni-
on member states or other parties to the agreement
in the European economic area) to be able to assess
the safe operating condition of lifting platforms.
Exceptional checking
Lifting platforms with a lift height of more than 2
meters and lifting platforms intended for use with peo-
ple standing under the loadbearing elements or the
load are to be checked by an expert prior to re-use
following structural modications and major repairs to
loadbearing components.
An expert is somebody with the training and expe-
rience required to possess specialist knowledge of lif-
ting platforms and who is sufciently familiar with the
pertinent national work safety regulations, accident
prevention regulations and generally acknowledged
rules of engineering (e.g. BG rules, DIN Standards,
VDE provisions, the technical regulations of other
European Union member states or other parties to
the agreement on the European economic area) to
be able to check and give an expert opinion on lifting
platforms.
Inspection log
An inspection log is to be kept as a record of the
lifting platform checks performed. The inspection log
book must contain a report on the test performed
prior to initial commissioning and the regular and
exceptional checks, as well as the applicable certi-
cation on (EC) type testing and the EC declaration of
conformity.
•
The report must include:
•
The date and scope of testing with details of any
test items not yet performed
•
The results of the test with details of any shortco-
mings established
•
An assessment of whether there are any impedi-
ments to start-up or further use
•
The details of any follow-up testing required
•
The name, address and signature of the person
carrying out the checks
The acknowledgement and rectication of
any shortcomings found must be conrmed
by the plant operator in the report.
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