Compliance with Technical Regulations of Manufacturers of Pillar Jib Cranes

Cranes are intended for lifting and transporting loads. The use of cranes presents certain risks, which is why regulations already stipulate essential safety requirements for manufacturers, which must be observed first in the design phase and then in the production and installation of all types of lifting equipment. Regulations in the field of occupational safety and health oblige the employer to periodically inspect and test cranes in order to determine and ensure their reliability and safety according to the type and purpose of use. The aim of all this is to identify and eliminate potential hazards preventively and in a timely manner, or to implement all appropriate (and prescribed) measures for the continuous reduction of risks.

Problem

Cranes are intended for lifting and transporting loads.

Solution and Method

The use of cranes presents certain risks, which is why regulations already stipulate essential safety requirements for manufacturers, which must be observed first in the design phase and then in the production and installation of all types of lifting equipment. Safety when working with them therefore depends on correct design (development and engineering) at the manufacturer's, but of course also on correct use (including maintenance, inspection and testing) at the user's. This is also achieved through the correct application of all legislation that applies to manufacturers and users.

The mission and substantive objective of all this legislation is to ensure safe products throughout their entire service life, as otherwise injuries and irreparable damage may occur. The author of the diploma thesis presented different types of cranes according to their place of use, type of drive and structural design. He defined in more detail the manufacture and installation of pillar jib cranes and especially the documentation that must be created already in the crane design phase. ** He presented the documentation** that the manufacturer must hand over to the client upon installation or incorporation and before the commencement of use.

A manufacturer who designs and manufactures pillar cranes must be familiar with the regulations and provide all prescribed documentation with which he proves and guarantees that all prescribed requirements were observed in the manufacture of the crane and that safety was also ensured through the use of appropriate standards. This fulfilled the expectations and requirements of the customer, which already means appropriate quality. Crane manufacturers must, in accordance with the requirements of mandatory EU harmonisation legislation, whilst voluntarily using standards, follow all safety objectives of both legislation and standards and observe regulations intended for manufacturers and users.

In the Republic of Slovenia, when installing cranes, it is also necessary to observe legislation in the field of construction of structures, both in the design phase and during installation and technical inspections, if, for example, cranes are the subject of new construction or reconstruction of structures (buildings and technological equipment). The machine must be sufficiently stable with its components and equipment so that it does not overturn during transport, assembly, disassembly and all other activities associated with it. The manufacturer must ensure the stability of lifting equipment during operation and at rest, in the event of foreseeable component failures and during static, dynamic and functional tests that may be carried out on such equipment.

The use of cranes presents certain risks, which is why regulations already stipulate essential safety requirements for manufacturers, which must be observed first in the design phase and then in the production and installation of all types of lifting equipment. The Machinery Directive stipulates essential health and safety requirements for machinery that may cause hazards due to lifting operations. Manufacturers must observe them because the use of cranes presents certain hazards to persons working in the area where cranes operate.

Therefore, manufacturers must precisely observe regulations and fulfil all requirements relating to the design, manufacture and installation of cranes. The author in the thesis explained the requirements regarding inspection and testing that must be observed by the crane manufacturer and also by the user (owner) of the crane.

Results

Regulations in the field of occupational safety and health oblige the employer to periodically inspect and test cranes in order to determine and ensure their reliability and safety according to the type and purpose of use. The aim of all this is to identify and eliminate potential hazards preventively and in a timely manner, or to implement all appropriate (and prescribed) measures for the continuous reduction of risks.