Construction Hoist Interest Group

The Group has had another productive year in setting up a project for an NVQ assessment standard for hoist installers with the CITB Occupational Working Group (OWG). The approval process has been completed. The Chairman of the OWG has formally written to Awarding Bodies inviting them to take up the offer of the qualification, which is based on National Occupational Standards.

Work at Height is a concern of the Hoist Group and they have been actively involved in attending Working Group meetings to produce Best Practice Guidance to minimise the risk when Unloading/Loading of Transport.

They have also had concerns on working at height regarding erecting, alteration, maintenance and dismantling and have set up a Working Group to address the problems. The aim of the Working Group is to compile Best Practice Guidance on Rescue/Work at Height on Construction Hoists. The final draft has been compiled and is awaiting HSE endorsement. The Guidance is to be launched in the spring of 2009.

Some members of CHIG have encountered problems regarding hoists being secured to scaffolding. Some contractors have insisted that the hoist must be tied to buildings and not to the scaffold. Understandably, this is causing problems as hoists can be tied to scaffolding providing that the scaffold has been designed to take the weight of the hoist. This issue has been clarified with the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and the Guide to Good Practice for Scaffolding TG 20 document has been amended. Whilst the group are not totally in agreement with what has been stated, it does make the issue, of the tying of hoists to scaffolds, more clear.

The CPA has been successful in obtaining some funding from ConstructionSkills towards the production of a Best Practice Guide for the Maintenance, Inspection and Thorough Examination of Construction Hoists. The work will commence in the New Year and will be completed by May 2009.

CHIG Downloads	Title	Description	Publication Date
	CHIG 0901 CPA Best Practice Guide Work at Height on Construction Hoists Click on the Picture to Download CHIG 0901 >>		June 2009
	CHIG 0501 CPA Best Practice Guide Transporting Scaffolding in Construction Hoists Click on the Picture to Download CHIG 0501 >>	This booklet gives guidance on hoisting operations when scaffolding is being erected and carried on the hoist. It is the first time that such guidance has been prepared for scaffolders and their hoist operators. It pays particular attention to risk assessment and inspection by the hoist erectors as the hoist is extended with the scaffolding.	May 2005
	CHIG 0401 Landing Gates on Goods only Hoists Download CHIG 0401 >>		May 2004
	CHIG 0301 - Rev 1 CPA Best Practice Guide Construction Hoists Inspection, Thorough Examination and Maintenance Click on the Picture to Download CHIG 0301 Rev 1>>	This provides guidance on daily pre-use checks, inspections, thorough examination and maintenance of hoists. It also includes check lists and report forms for pre-use checks, weekly inspections and thorough examination. It should be read in conjunction with BS 7212 "Code of practice for safe use of construction hoists".	July 2004
	CHIG 0201 CPA Best Practice Guide Transport Platforms, Installation, Use, Maintenance, Inspection, Examination and Testing Click on the Picture to Download CHIG 0201 >>	Transport platforms are temporary lifting machines used on construction sites. With their restricted speed, they are not replacements for fast moving construction hoists. This guidance clarifies the use for which they are designed as well as giving guidance on risk assessment. The guidance covers the planning, safe installation, use, maintenance, inspection, thorough examination and testing of transport platforms.	August 2002
	CHIG Supplementary Conditions Download Supplementary Conditions >>		November 2004
	Press Release - Hoist Scaffolding Best Practice Guide Download Press Release >>		May 2005