WSH (Operation of Cranes) Reg 2011 - Part IV (Appointment & Duties of Personnel)

Appointment and duties of lifting supervisor
17.—(1) Duty of the responsible person to appoint a lifting supervisor before any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace.
(2) Responsible person not to appoint any person as a lifting supervisor for any lifting operation involving the use of a crane in a workplace unless the person is one who —
(a) has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to become a lifting supervisor; and
(b) has, in the opinion of the responsible person, such relevant experience in lifting operations for a period of not less than one year before the appointment as a lifting supervisor.
(3) Duty of the lifting supervisor —
(a) to co-ordinate all lifting activities;
(b) to supervise all lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane in accordance with the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;
(c) to ensure that only registered crane operators, appointed riggers and appointed signalmen participate in any lifting operation involving the use of amobile crane or a tower crane;
(d) to ensure that the ground conditions are safe for any lifting operation to be performed by any mobile crane;
(e) to brief all crane operators, riggers and signalmen on the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4; and
(f) if any unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions are reported to him by any crane operator or rigger, take such measures to rectify the unsatisfactory or unsafe condition or otherwise ensure that any lifting operation is carried out safely.



Appointment and duties of rigger
18.—(1) Duty of the responsible person to appoint a rigger before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in the workplace by a crane operator.
(2) Duty of the responsible person —
(a) not to appoint any person as a rigger in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a rigger; and
(b) to ensure that the rigger who is appointed is attired in such a way as would distinctively identify him as a rigger.
(3) No person shall rig up loads for any lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane unless he is a rigger appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).
(4) Duty of appointed rigger to —
(a) check the slings to be used for slinging the loads to ensure that the slings are of good construction, sound and suitable material, adequate strength and free from patent defect;
(b) ensure that an adequate number of legs of the sling are used and that the slinging angle is correct so as to prevent the sling from being overloaded during the hoisting;
(c) ascertain the weight of the load which is to be lifted and inform the crane operator of the weight of the load;
(d) ensure that only proper lifting gears are used in conjunction with the sling;
(e) ensure that the load to be lifted is secure, stable and balanced;
(f) ensure that any loose load (which includes any stone, brick or tile) is placed in a receptacle to prevent the load or part thereof from falling during the lifting operation;
(g) place adequate padding at the edges of the load which come in contact with the sling so as to prevent the sling from being damaged; and
(h) report any defect in the lifting gear to the lifting supervisor.



Appointment and duties of signalman
19.—(1) Duty of the responsible person to appoint a signalman before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in a workplace by a crane operator.
(2) Duty of the responsible person —
(a) not to appoint any person as a signalman in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a signalman; and
(b) to ensure that the appointed signalman is attired in such a way as would distinctively
identify him as a signalman.
(3) No person shall give signal to the crane operator unless he is a signalman appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).
(4) Duty of the appointed signalman to —
(a) ensure or verify with the rigger that the load is properly rigged up before he gives a clear signal to the crane operator to lift the load; and
(b) give correct and clear signals to guide the crane operator in the manoeuvre of the load safely to its destination.