Hong Kong Regulations

SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (WORKS) REGULATION - SCHEDULE 1

PROCEDURE FOR TESTING AND EXAMINING LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR

[sections 2, 30, 32, 35, 37, 39 & 72]

1. (1) Every winch, together with its accessories (including any derrick,
gooseneck, eye-plate, eyebolt or other attachments), shall be tested with a
proof load which shall exceed the safe working load as follows—

   (a)  if the safe working load is less than 20 t, the proof load shall
        exceed the safe working load by at least 25%;

   (b)  if the safe working load is 20 t or more but not more than 50 t, the
        proof load shall exceed the safe working load by at least 5 t;

   (c)  if the safe working load is more than 50 t, the proof load shall
        exceed the safe working load by at least 10%.

(2) The proof load shall be applied by hoisting movable weights, or by means
of a spring or hydraulic balance or a similar appliance, with the derrick at
an angle to the horizontal which shall be specified in the certificate of the
test.

(3) If the proof load is applied by hoisting movable weights, after the
weights have been hoisted, the derrick shall be swung to the extremity of its
working arc.

(4) If the proof load is applied by means of a spring or hydraulic balance or
a similar appliance—

   (a)  the derrick shall be swung, first in one direction and then in the
        other direction, to the extremity of its working arc; and

   (b)  the proof load shall be applied each time after the derrick has been
        swung.

2. (1) Every crane and every other lifting appliance, together with its
accessories, other than a lifting appliance referred to in section 1, shall be
tested with a proof load which shall exceed the safe working load as
follows—

   (a)  if the safe working load is less than 20 t, the proof load shall
        exceed the safe working load by at least 25%;

   (b)  if the safe working load is 20 t or more but not more than 50 t, the
        proof load shall exceed the safe working load by at least 5 t;

   (c)  if the safe working load is more than 50 t, the proof load shall
        exceed the safe working load by at least 10%.

(2) The proof load shall be hoisted and then swung in so far as practicable
first in one direction and then in the other direction.

(3) Where a crane with a jib which has a variable vertical operating radius is
to be tested, the test shall be carried out by applying a proof load in
accordance with subsection (1) at both the maximum radius and the minimum
radius of the jib.

(4) Where in testing a hydraulic crane or hoist it is, because of the
limitation of pressure, impossible to hoist a load which exceeds the safe
working load by 25%, it is sufficient compliance with this section if the
crane or hoist has the greatest possible load applied to it.

3. Every item of lifting gear (whether an accessory to any lifting appliance
or not) shall be tested with a proof load in accordance with the following
provisions—

   (a)  if the item is a chain, wire rope sling, ring, hook, shackle or
        swivel, the proof load shall be at least twice the safe working load;

   (b)  if the item is a single sheave pulley block or if a shackle is
        attached thereto, the proof load shall be at least 4 times the safe
        working load;

   (c)  if the item is a multiple sheave pulley block with a safe working load
        of not more than 20 t, the proof load shall be at least twice the safe
        working load;

   (d)  if the item is a multiple sheave pulley block with a safe working load
        of more than 20 t but not more than 40 t, the proof load shall exceed
        the safe working load by at least 20 t;

   (e)  if the item is a multiple sheave pulley block with a safe working load
        of more than 40 t, the proof load shall be at least 1½ times the safe
        working load.

4. After being tested in accordance with section 1, 2 or 3, the lifting
appliance (including its accessories) or lifting gear shall be examined so as
to ensure that no part of it has been damaged during the test.

5. For the purposes of carrying out the examinations of a pulley block, the
sheaves and pins of the block shall be removed.

6. Where any wire rope is tested, a sample of the rope shall be tested to
destruction, and the safe working load shall not exceed 20% of the breaking
load of the sample tested.