Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.20-2018, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, Chapter 20-1 Structural and Mechanical Lifting Devices.

Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Spreader Beams.

Manufacturer's referenced standards

Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Spreader Beams

Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Spreader Beams ?

If a user is not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Spreader Beams they must have direct supervision from a competent worker

If not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Spreader Beams do users have direct supervision ?

Do you have documented policies and procedures in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Spreader Beams ?

An employer must identified responsibilities for the user of a Spreader Beam.

The use of Spreader Beams can create hazardous situations

Have Supervisors taken all precautions to protect the health and safety of every worker under the Supervisors supervision.

Have Suppliers ensured the equipment supplied is in a safe operating condition, and that it complies with this Act, regulation and the OHS Code  

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Spreader Beam you are using

A Spreader Beam must be marked with the manufacturer's or repairer's name and contact information

A Spreader Beam must be marked with its weight if over 100lbs (45kg)

A Spreader Beam must be marked with its cold current amps (when applicable)

A Spreader Beam must have attached a product safety labels according to ANZI Z535.4-2011

What are the training requirements for Spreader Beam users ?

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Spreader Beams ?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Spreader Beams ?

Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements for Spreader Beams ?

Manufacturer's specifications for the Spreader Beam must be available to users ?

Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Spreader Beams kept ?

How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications ?

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Spreader Beams ?

Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Spreader Beams ?

All new and reinstalled Spreader Beams shall be inspected by a designated person prior to initial use

All altered or repaired Spreader Beams shall be inspected by a designated person

How often are every lift inspections completed ?

How often are frequent inspections completed ?

How often are periodic inspections completed ?

All Spreader Beams must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a designated person

How does your company identify a Spreader Beam has had a periodic inspection ?

Excessive wear at hoist hooking points and load support clevises or pins.

Spreader Beams shall only be operated by qualified personnel, which includes, designated persons, trainees under the supervision of designated persons, maintenance and test personnel, and inspectors.

Rated loads cannot be exceeded

Loads must be correctly distributed

Spreader Beams shall not be used to handle any loads for which they are not designed

Spreader Beams shall be applied to the load in accordance with their instruction manuals

Load temperature should not exceed the allowable maximum

What is the minimum and maximum temperature the Spreader Beams can be exposed to ?

Spreader Beams swinging should be kept to a minimum

Shock loading must be avoided

Mechanical damage must be avoided

Do not stand or pass under a suspended load

Do not ride on a Spreader Beams

Suspended loads must not be left unattended

Before adjustments are started on a Spreader Beam all sources of power must be disconnected, locked out, and be tagged "Out of Servce"

Before repairs the Spreader Beam must be tagged "Out of Servce"

Only Qualified persons shall perform adjustments and tests

Only Qualified persons, or those under the direction of a qualifed person shall perform adjustments and repairs

Replacement parts must be at least equal to the original manufacturer's specifications

Any hazardous condition disclosed during inspection must be corrected before normal operation of the spreader beam is resumed

After adjustments and repairs the spreader beam must not be returned to service until it has been inspected

Dated records of repairs and replacements should be made

Misconception 1. If you have attended a training course you are a competent rigger.

Training is only one part of being competent to carry out your job, you must also be adequately qualified and have sufficient experience.

Misconception 2. Load charts are not required for spreader beams as long as the capacity is marked on the spreader beam.

An employer must ensure that below-the-hook lifting devices, meet the requirements of ASME Standard B30.20-2006, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, An employer may use a capacity data sheet to label a spreader bar with its rated capacity. Where a capacity data sheet is used, an employer must ensure that the data sheet and corresponding spreader bar are identified by a unique numbering system.

Misconception 3. A Spreader Beam capacity remains the same no matter what the lifting sling angles are.

If the spreader beam is suspended from above with slings, as the horizontal sling angle reduces the tension on the slings increases and therefore the tension being applied to the beam increases, this can cause a bending action on the beam, and hence the amount of weight that it can safely lift is reduced

Misconception 4. A Spreader Beams capacity remains constant no matter how many of its suspension points are used.

If the beam has multiple lifting points under the beam, the amount of weight the beam can lift may change depending on the lifting points utilized. It is vital to consult the data sheet associated with the speader beam before making a lift. 

Misconception 5.  If the beam has an NDT report it has been inspected as per the manufacturer's specifications.

An NDT or NDE report normally only covers the quality of the welding on a piece of equipment, or the condition of the welds at time of inspection, it may not cover the full inspection criteria expected by the manufacturer.

Misconception 6. Only the beam structure needs to be inspected, the rigging attached is not included.

Any pieces of rigging that are attached to the Spreader beam must be individually inspected as per their own inspection criteria and the correct associated standard, this will sometimes involve dismantling the rigging items to carry out a full inspection.

Misconception 7. The capacity of an adjustable or extendable Spreader Beam is constant regardless of its length.

As the length of the beam increases in most cases the WLL will decrease as the forces on the beam will cause it to want to flex. It is vital to consult the data sheet associated with the speader beam before making a lift to confirm its rated capacity if adjusted.