Crane Interest Group
The Crane Interest Group is the senior SIG having been in existence in one form or another for many years. It is the largest of all the SIGs commanding respect both in the UK and in Europe, where it is represented on ESTA.
Members of CIG were responsible for the initial drafting of British Standard 7121- Safe Use of Cranes, Parts 1 and 3 and they have had a major input into the BSI Crane Committees that have produced the final published standards that now run to five parts. These standards introduced "Contract Lifting" (as opposed to crane hire) which was the idea and creation of CIG.
ESTA and CIG are currently working on the harmonisation of European Standards for Cranes. Crane manufacturers are producing cranes which are not end-user friendly under the current UK rules and regulations. Cranes in Britain carry "excessive weights" (gross vehicle weight) which are all approved. CIG is lobbying to ensure that European manufacturers of cranes take into account the UK requirements, especially in view of Europe's obsession with weight and tyres on cranes. In addition ESTA is working on an industry-wide set of Maintenance Schedules for cranes which will be included in the European Standards.
In recent years CIG has been doing a large amount of work on safety publications. It has updated the "Mobile Crane Operator's Safety Guide" in the last year which was first published in 1979. Another important safety guidance was published in 1999, the "Best Practice Guide on the Inspection, Thorough Examination and Maintenance of Mobile Cranes", which gives advice for the benefit of a "competent person" as defined by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Both these guidance publications are available from the CPA offices.
CIG has recently published a set of Supplementary Conditions to the CPA Model Conditions of hire, which are available both on CD Rom and hard copy. This is a major step forward in that they are the first of several Supplementary Conditions currently being drafted by the other SIGs. They extend the Model Conditions and add value and detail to the special circumstances of crane hire.
Each of the SIGs has their own special situations that need to be covered by Terms and Conditions of Hire and most them are writing their own Supplementary Conditions. Each set is submitted to the Office of Fair Trading for approval.
Crane Supplementary Conditions
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The following BSI guides are now available, to find out how to obtain a copy please contact the CPA Offices.
Cranes - Wire ropes- Care, Maintenance, Installation, Examination and Discard
Cranes and Lifting Appliances - Selection of Wire Ropes
Contract Lifting Services Conditions Download Contract Lift Conditions >>
Mobile Crane Technical Information Notes (TINS)
100 - Technical Information Note Index Download >>TIN100
101 - The Effect of Wind on Mobile Cranes In-service - Issue A - Download >>TIN101
Information On Special Types General Order
STGO Update
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The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order
Download General Order >>
STGO Plate Form
Download STGO Plate Form >>
STGO Existing Regulations
Download STGO Existing Regulations >>
Abnormal Loads
Download ACPO Scottish comments >>
Download escorts letter >>
Download Code of Practice >>
CIG Downloads
CPA - Best Practice Guide - Crane Hire And Contract Lifting (CIG 9801) (4):
When hiring a crane it is necessary to explain to some customers the difference between a straight forward "simple hire" and a "contract lift". A customer who has no experience with cranes should be advised by the crane hire company to take a contract lift which places most of the responsibility for safe lifting operations on the crane hire company. This has implications on the insurance cover for the lifting operations. This CPA Best Practice Guide has been written by the Crane Interest Group of the CPA with the support of the Health and Safety Executive.
Download Crane Best Practice Guide >>
CPA - Best Practice Guide - Working at Height on Mobile Cranes (CIG 0701)
Download Working at Height on Mobile Cranes >>
HSE Letter Crane Hire and Contract Lift
Download HSE Letter Crane Hire and Contract Lift >>
Crane Best Practice Risk Assessment Method Statement (CIG 0201)
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Notes From The CPA Crane Interest Group Open Meeting 23rd September 2008
Download 23rd September 2008 Meeting Notes >>
Notes From The CPA Crane Interest Group Steering Committee Meeting 25th November 2008
Download 25th November 2008 Meeting Notes >>