Hong Kong Regulations

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 16

Brakes, controls, safety devices, etc.

(1) The owner of a crab, crane or winch shall ensure that it is not used
unless it is fitted with one or more efficient brakes, or other similar safety
devices, which will prevent a load suspended from the appliance from falling
uncontrollably or dangerously.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the owner of a lifting appliance shall ensure
that it is not used unless-

   (a)  every lever, handle, switch or other device used for controlling the
        operation of any part of the appliance (being a lever, handle, switch
        or other device the accidental movement or displacement of which is
        liable to cause danger) is, where practicable (unless it is so placed
        or the appliance is so constructed as to prevent accidental movement
        or displacement), provided with a suitable spring or other locking
        arrangement to prevent any such accidental movement or displacement;
        and

   (b)  every lever, handle, switch or other device for controlling the
        operation of any part of the appliance has either on or adjacent to it
        clear markings to indicate its purpose and the mode of operation.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) shall not apply to rotating handles for raising or
lowering a load in the case of a winch or non-derricking jib crane operated by
manual power.

(4) If any person is employed or working on or near the wheel track of an
overhead travelling crane in a place where he would be liable to be struck by
the crane, the owner shall take effective measures, by warning the driver of
the crane or otherwise, to ensure that the crane does not approach within 6
metres of that place. (L.N. 238 of 1984)

(5) If any person is employed or working otherwise than mentioned in paragraph
(4) but in a place above floor level where he would be liable to be struck by
an overhead travelling crane, or by any load carried by such a crane, the
owner of the crane shall take effective measures to ensure that such person is
warned of the approach of the crane, unless his work is so connected with or
dependent on the movements of the crane as to make a warning unnecessary.