Sch 4Requirements for material handling equipment

Schedule 4 Requirements for material handling equipment

(subsection 22(1), paragraph 11(3)(d) of Schedule 3)

1 Chains

(1) A chain used in loading or unloading must:

(a) not be knotted; and

(b) for slinging a heavy load of iron or steel — have packing material to prevent:

(i) damage to the chain from direct contact with any sharp edge of the load; and

(ii) slipping of the load because of a low coefficient of friction between chain and load.

(2) Subparagraph (1)(a)(ii) does not apply if:

(a) a chain sling is used with a spreader bar so that the load is substantially horizontal when hoisted; and

(b) the chain is made of higher tensile alloy steel.

Note: Examples of higher tensile alloy steel

Note: quality grade S or T steel mentioned in AS 2321-2014 Short-link chain for lifting purposes as in force on 1 January 2017.

2 Wire rope

(1) A wire rope used in loading or unloading must:

(a) have no knots or kinks; and

(b) if it is not for use as a guy pendant, a preventer guy, a stay or a net or sling:

(i) have at least 114 constituent wires; and

(ii) use any fibre material in its construction only for strand or rope core; and

(c) for a runner or purchase — be a continuous length without joins; and

(d) only have any thimble or loop splice fitted to the rope that complies with Schedule 8.

(2) A wire rope grip may be used only in standing rigging, including attachment to the drum.

3 Slings and nets

(1) A sling or net used in loading or unloading must:

(a) be made of chain, wire rope, woven synthetic webbing, woven steel webbing or fibre rope; and

(b) for a sling other than an endless sling — be fitted with eyes, rings, links or shackles that provide safe connection to a lifting hook; and

(c) for a fibre rope sling or net — have each splice of at least 4 tucks of strands; and

(d) be prevented from being damaged by sharp edges on loads.

(2) An expendable or disposable sling must be discarded after use.

4 Hooks

A hook used in loading and unloading must be:

(a) constructed to prevent displacement of the load from the hook; or

(b) fitted with a device to prevent a load from becoming detached.

5 Lifting devices

(1) A container lifting frame, used in loading or unloading, that is on board a vessel and fitted with twistlocks must be fitted with a device that: