SAFETY

FACTORY ACT AND RULES FOR MECHANICAL HANDLING

Section 28 and 29 of the Factories Act are regarding hoists and lifts (with platforms or cage and fixed way) and lifting machines and tackles.

Difference between ‘Lifting machine’ and ‘Lifting tackle’ is explained at the end of Section 29.

Lifting Machine means a crane, crab, winch, teagel, pully, block, gin wheel, transporter or runaway.

Lifting tackle means any chain sling, rope sling, hook, shackle, swivel, coupling, socket, clamp, tray or similar appliance, whether fixed or movable, used in connection with the raising or lowering of persons or loads by use of lifting machines.

Above explanation clarifies that lifting tackles are used with lifting machines and hoists and lifts are not included in lifting machines. Therefore Form No. 9 is prescribed for hoist and lifts and Form No. 10 for any other lifting machine.

The word lifting gear is used to indicate any item which is used to connect a load to a lifting machine or appliance but which is not in itself capable of providing any movement to lift or lower the load. It is also known as lifting appliance, lifting tool or lifting tackle.

Indian Standards

There are many IS on material handling a few of which are:

Material handling equipment, non-powered, terminology IS CODE: 6839
Hoists and cranes, design, manufacture, erection and testing IS CODE: 807
Hoist and lifts, steel wire suspension rope IS CODE: 2365
Hoist chain, electric IS CODE: 6547
Electric wire rope IS CODE: 3938
Wire sling IS CODE: 12735
Hydraulic gates IS CODE: 6938, 10210
Ropes-coir IS CODE: 1410, 1411, 1412
Cotton rope IS CODE: 2452, 2453, 3143
Fiber rope IS CODE: 3871, 4575
Guide rope IS CODE: 3623
Jute rope IS CODE: 5177
Manila rope IS CODE: 1084
Nylon filament rope IS CODE: 4572, 6590, 3253
Test methods of rope IS CODE: 7071
Polyethylene rope IS CODE: 8674
Steel wire IS CODE: 1835, 5836, 2266, 3973
Aerial ropeway and cableways IS CODE: 7649, 5229, 5230
Single-chain, mild steel IS CODE: 2760, 8324
Legs and wire rope IS CODE: 2762
Fiber rope slings IS CODE: 9944
Sockets IS CODE: 2485
Shackle IS CODE: 4690, 6132
Swivels IS CODE: 4531
C-hook IS CODE: 3813
Head nut IS CODE: 10749
Tackle IS: 6549, 5529
Elevator IS CODE: 6930, 7167
Escalators IS CODE: 4591
Conveyors – glossary IS CODE: 4240
Conveyors Safety IS CODE: 7155
Conveyors Apron IS CODE: 7423, 8599
Conveyors Belt IS CODE: 6687, 8597, 8531
Conveyors Chain IS CODE: 7155, 6834
Conveyors screw IS CODE: 5563
Electric passenger and goods lifts IS CODE: 1860, 3534, 6620
Inspection of lift wire ropes IS CODE: 8216
Hand operated chain pulley blocks IS CODE: 3832
Portable mine hoist IS CODE: 11922
Round steel short link chain (electric butt welded) grade 30 IS CODE: 2429, grade 40 IS CODE: 3109
Gas cylinders safety devices IS CODE: 5903
Safety for handling cryogenic liquids (liquefied gases viz. O2, N2, H2, Helium, argon, neon, and krypton) IS CODE: 5931
Powered industrial trucks IS CODE: 6305, 7552, 7553, 7862
Cable lift IS CODE: 4289
Chain lifting safe use IS CODE: 8324
Gantry traveling crane IS CODE: 3177
Gantry traveling crane for lifting air cargo IS CODE: 12462
Gantry crane winch IS CODE: 9507
Gantry crane wheelbarrows IS CODE: 2431, 4814
Safety net IS CODE: 11057
Metal hooks, clips, and eyes IS CODE: 4066
Crane, safe working loads (SWL) IS CODE: 6511
Stability testing of forklift trucks IS CODE: 4357
Platform trucks IS CODE: 7361, 10311
Side loader trucks IS CODE: 9075
Powered tow trucks IS CODE: 10312
Safety Codes for handling and storage of building materials IS CODE: 7969
Safety Code for scaffolding and ladders IS CODE: 3696
Packaging code IS 10106, Pictorial markings for handling and labeling of goods IS CODE: 1260, Requirements for packing pesticides IS: 8190.
IS CODE: 1860 Code of practice for installation, operation, and maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods, Lifts is worth mentioning.

It includes 58 definitions (terminology) and essential requirements like conformity with statutory provisions and IS (BIS) lift wells, lift pits, bottom, and top clearance, well enclosures, lift cars, locking devices, suspension ropes, counter-weights, buffers, emergency safety device, safety gear tests, slack rope switch, automatic power cutting device, electric wiring, and apparatus.

It gives design consideration of the number of lifts and capacity, passenger lifts, goods lifts, hospital bed lifts, positioning of lifts, positioning of the machine room, structural consideration, fire protection, quiet operation, supply cables, and switches.

It also deals with resting, running, maintenance and general information to be given with inquiry and order.

These Indian Standards are very much useful for design, construction, use, operation and maintenance of lifting equipment.