Technical Support for Lifting Apparatus
This ongoing enabling contract involves the supply of technical support and advice regarding cranes and other lifting equipment used primarily for handling conventional or nuclear munitions. The scope of work covered by the arrangement includes verification of designs/fitness for purpose, risk assessments, on-site inspection and investigation, attendance at technical meetings and the production of formal written reports.
To undertake the range of work covered by the arrangement, Serco staff have to be familiar with both generic safety regulations applicable to lifting equipment (e.g. PUWER and LOLER), relevant British and European standards, as well as more specific documentation such as Explosive Atmosphere Regulations, Marine and Coastguard working practices, JSP 467 and BR 3027. In addition, a broad knowledge of high integrity cranes used within the nuclear industry is necessary.
Recent tasks, described overleaf in more detail, have included:
- Derivation of a new MoD Boat Lifting Policy
- A review of the crane servicing arrangements at two munitions sites
- Survey and cost estimates for a proposed armaments crane life extension
Small Boat Lifting Policy: This task involved a review of the specifications and regulations relevant to the hoisting arrangements for small boats (i.e. lessthan 20m in length) being raised or lowered from larger craft. The output was a new MoD Boat Lifting Policy that defined the criteria for Factors of Safety, Proof Testing and Planned Maintenance Requirements for all items in the load path (e.g. hooks, slings, ropes, sheaves, eye bolts, webbing, chains and rigging). The work involved a review of best practice within appropriate industries, scrutiny of design guidelines and codes of practice, and discussions with a small boat manufacturer.
Crane Servicing Audit: This task involved the consideration of all aspects of crane servicing at two munitions storage sites, together with a detailed inspection of a sample of the crane usage. The work was wide ranging and covered a review of documentation concerned with contractual arrangements, lines of responsibility, suitability of contractors (accreditation, training and procedures), record keeping, H&S (fault reporting etc) and confirmation that appropriate technical standards were being met. In addition two cranes from each site were visually examined to ascertain their current condition and maintenance state. Armaments
Crane Life Extension: A site survey of an armaments crane was undertaken in order to assess the extent of any work, together with associated costs, necessary to allow its use in conventional armament handling for a further three years. The work largely involved visual examination, observation in operation and scrutiny of the maintenance records to judge the crane's current condition, and the gathering of modification cost estimates from specialist suppliers.