NEBOSH Work Equipment Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safe working load (SWL) of lifting equipment?
- The weight of the equipment itself
- The maximum load the equipment is designed and certified to lift safely under specified conditions (Correct answer)
- The average load lifted during a typical shift
- The load at which the equipment will fail
Correct answer: The maximum load the equipment is designed and certified to lift safely under specified conditions
The safe working load (SWL) is the maximum mass that the lifting equipment or accessory is designed to raise, lower or suspend safely. It is determined by the manufacturer and must never be exceeded. LOLER requires that lifting equipment is clearly marked with its SWL.
Question 2: An adjustable guard differs from a self-adjusting guard in that an adjustable guard requires what?
- Automatic electronic control systems
- Manual adjustment by the operator to suit the workpiece size (Correct answer)
- Connection to the machine's emergency stop circuit
- Annual replacement of all moving parts
Correct answer: Manual adjustment by the operator to suit the workpiece size
An adjustable guard incorporates an adjustable element that the operator must manually set to accommodate different workpiece sizes. Unlike self-adjusting guards that move automatically, the operator positions the guard before starting work. This introduces a human factor risk if the guard is not properly adjusted.
Question 3: Under PUWER 1998, what must an employer do before allowing workers to use work equipment for the first time?
- Obtain planning permission from the local council
- Carry out a risk assessment and ensure the equipment is inspected if safety depends on installation conditions (Correct answer)
- Register the equipment with the HSE
- Obtain written consent from every worker
Correct answer: Carry out a risk assessment and ensure the equipment is inspected if safety depends on installation conditions
PUWER Regulation 6 requires that work equipment is inspected after installation and before first use where its safety depends on the installation conditions. Additionally, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be completed.
Question 4: What is the role of a 'competent person' in relation to the thorough examination of lifting equipment under LOLER?
- They are responsible for purchasing the equipment
- They must have sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to carry out the examination and detect defects (Correct answer)
- They must hold a university degree in engineering
- They are the person who operates the lifting equipment daily
Correct answer: They must have sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to carry out the examination and detect defects
A competent person under LOLER is someone with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to detect defects or weaknesses and assess their significance. They are often independent insurance engineers or specialist inspection body employees.
Question 5: PUWER 1998 requires that work equipment controls are designed so that they cannot be operated unintentionally. Which control feature best achieves this?
- Large, brightly coloured buttons
- Shrouded or recessed start controls that require deliberate action (Correct answer)
- Controls mounted on the ceiling
- Voice-activated controls only
Correct answer: Shrouded or recessed start controls that require deliberate action
PUWER Regulation 14 requires that controls are positioned and designed to prevent accidental operation. Shrouded, recessed, or guarded start buttons require the operator to make a deliberate action (such as lifting a cover or pressing into a recess), preventing inadvertent activation by leaning or bumping.
Question 6: When planning a lifting operation under LOLER 1998, which of the following must be considered?
- Only the weight of the load
- The weight of the load, the radius of the lift, ground conditions, weather, proximity of persons, and the competence of personnel (Correct answer)
- Only the type of crane being used
- Only whether the load is fragile
Correct answer: The weight of the load, the radius of the lift, ground conditions, weather, proximity of persons, and the competence of personnel
LOLER Regulation 8 requires every lifting operation to be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely. Planning must consider load weight, centre of gravity, lift radius, ground bearing capacity, wind conditions, proximity hazards, communication methods, and the competence of all personnel involved.
NEBOSH Work Equipment Safety 3
What is the safe working load (SWL) of lifting equipment?