LIFTINGSAFETY

LEEA - Lifting Equipment Engineers Association - Full Member

LEEA Guidance - The Verification of Spreader Beams and Lifting Beams

Published by the LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION

1.0 Introduction.

Spreaders Beams and Lifting Beams are used for a wide range of lifting operations throughout most industrial sectors. They are classified as lifting accessories under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These accessories are often bespoke in design and commonly produced as ‘one offs’ or in small batches. They can also be designed so that they can be adjusted to suit different loads. This adjustment is sometimes achieved by a modular design of sections that can bolt together in a range of configurations, or by means of multiple or adjustable attachment points. However, it should be noted that designers can use a variety of other techniques to provide the adjustment.

As the name suggests, Spreader Beams were originally a simple strut used to spread apart a two leg sling to prevent damage to the product being lifted from the compressive forces induced by the sling, see figure 1. Now the term is used for any beam suspended from its ends by a sling so that the beam is loaded in compression. The term lifting beam is used for a beam suspended from a more central point so that the beam is loaded in bending, see figure 2. However many designs are a hybrid of the two. For the purposes of this guide, spreader beams, lifting beams and their hybrids are referred to under the generic name of lifting beams.

Lifting beams are often used in combination with slings and other accessories such as vacuum lifters, lifting magnets and plate clamps to provide the connection to the load.

Figure 1 - Spreader Beam

Figure 1 - Spreader Beam

Figure 2 - Lifting Beam

Figure 2 - Lifting Beam

2.0 Standards and Legislation.

Lifting beams are classified as lifting accessories and fall within the scope of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. The current harmonized standard for new lifting beams is BSEN13155:2003+A2:2009m: Cranes – Safety – Non Fixed Load lifting attachments. This standard should be adopted as best practice to ensure conformity to the minimum requirements of the Machinery Directive.

Prior to this standard and the Directive there was no specific standard for the manufacture of Lifting Beams. Manufacturers would often, therefore, work to the requirements of other standards for weldable structural steels, such as BS 449 and BS 2573. For the verification of lifting beams, the International Labour Organisations (ILO) code of practice for Safety and Health in Ports included a sliding scale of proof forces linked to the capacity of the lifting beam. However these values were not adopted in EN 13155 and, for higher capacities, are in conflict with the minimum requirements of the Machinery Directive.

Once in service lifting beams fall under the Provision of Use of Work Equipment Regulations and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).

3.0 Design, Manufacture and Verification of Lifting Beams.

When designing Lifting Beams it is important that the minimum requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations are met in full. This part of the guidance will address the criteria that must be considered, though it is also recommended that BS EN 13155 is followed.

3.1 Technical File.

The technical file is very important and must contain all the information that went into the manufacture of the lifting beam. Should a lifting beam fail in service, then it is this technical file that will be scrutinised. If it cannot be proven that other factors, such as misuse, were not to blame for the failure, then it is vital that information within the technical file shows that the manufacturer has done everything reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of the equipment.

The technical file does not have to be a physical entity, but it must be able to be assembled from various sources should the need arise. Typical information that should form a technical file for lifting beam is as follows:

On completion of the technical file an EC Declaration of Conformity can be drawn up for the lifting beam(s) which should be added to the file.

3.2 Verification methods

With regard to strength, there are two main criteria to verify:

  1. At the proof force, the maximum stress must be within the yield stress of the material being used.
  2. At the minimum failure force, the load must not be released.

It is acceptable to verify these criteria using either of, or a combination of, two techniques, calculation or load test. Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 address each method.
In some cases the beam will be designed such that it can rotate or tilt. It may also have moving parts that can traverse along the beam. These items require additional design and verification methods to be adopted. Section 3.2.3 addresses lifting beams with moving parts.

3.2.1 Verification through Calculation.

The person producing the calculations must be competent and it is recommended that they have a mechanical engineering qualification at ## degree / HNC / ??? ## level. It is also recommended that the calculations are suitably checked. However, it should be noted that this does not necessarily have to be done by another competent person, as often or not computer simulation is used in the verification of lifting beams. When using computer simulation it is advisable that the results are checked by simple hand calculation. These hand calculations should be able to ascertain if the stress is about right or if the beam is deflecting the correct way.

The calculations used and or computer simulation must accurately simulate the in-service forces that will be induced by the load. Consideration must be given to the nature of the load. For example, is it flexible or rigid? If the load is flexible, then the beam may require sufficient rigidity to prevent the load being damaged. Conversely a rigid load may require some flexibility in the lifting beam to ensure uniformity of loading.

Examples of the type of calculation that must be considered are as follows:

The limiting factors imposed by EN 13155 are that at #(2 x in current standard)# times SWL the maximum stress must be within the yield stress of the material being used. At #(3 x in current standard)# times the SWL a nonlinear analysis of the structure must be done to ensure that critical parts of the structure will not fail such that the load is released, although permanent deformation is allowed.

Note: the design factors only take into consideration the dynamic effects of lifting and do not include wind loads. Depending on the environment where the lifting beam is to be operated the wind pressure load on the item being lifted and the structure itself may also need to be included in the analysis.

The position of the lifting points on the load will affect stability if they are at or below the Centre of Gravity (COG). It should be noted that the design calculations, being based on idealistic theoretical assumptions, cannot account for everything. It is therefore recommended that the beam is thoroughly examined by a competent person before putting into service. The extent of this examination would be down to the competent person and may include NDT of critical welds.

Note: a typical check list for examination has been listed in section 4.0 of this guidance.

3.2.2 Verification through test.

A load test should always be planned on the assumption that the item under test might fail and adequate precautions should be in place to prevent injury to any persons and damage to anything other than the item under test.

If the minimum failure force is not verified by calculation, then, when using this method alone, at least one lifting beam will have to be destroyed.

An adequate test specification must be drawn up against the design criteria and acceptance criteria such as maximum permissible deflections or deformations for worst case loading conditions must be included in the specification.

For modular or adjustable lifting beams the worst case configuration(s) must be used for the test.

To meet the design criteria the test must accurately simulate the in-service loading conditions for which the beam has been designed, including a tolerance on orientation in use. There are two common types of load testing that can be deployed by the tester to achieve this and they are described as follows:

  1. Load testing with weights.
    • Test weights must be pre-weighed or used with a load cell in the line.
    • The lifting appliance must be of adequate strength with sufficient head room.
    • For higher capacity beams, containers may be required to house the weights and the self- weight of these containers must be considered.
    • For loads that can flex, the test weights must be applied such that they can accurately simulate this affect. To achieve this it may be required that a jig or mock-up of the load to be lifted is fabricated. This may even require a controlled lift of the product to be lifted. However, testing by means of applied force may prove more accurate and cost effective in this instance.
    • For loads that are rigid, the test weights must act as a single rigid load.
  2. Load testing by means of an applied force.
    • The force can be applied by means of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators or by mechanical means such as wire rope pulling machines.
    • The test rig(s) must have a calibrated load sensor or a calibrated load cell must be used in the load path. This equipment must be calibrated to BS EN 7500-1 and have an accuracy of no less than +/-2%
    • By fixing the beam at the point where the lifting appliance hook would fit it is possible to use multiple applied force devices, with variable loads and amplitudes to accurately simulate a flexible load.
    • Using this method it is possible to undertake separate tests for various elements of the lifting beam.

To ascertain whether or not the acceptance criteria has been met, the tester will need to use measuring equipment. This measuring equipment will depend on the acceptance criteria, but it must be calibrated, and may include dial test indicators, strain gauges, etc. Equipment used for measuring deflections must have a resolution such as to allow the measurement to within +/-5% of the permitted deflection of the structure under test.

Following the proof force test the beam must be thoroughly examined. This examination may include an NDT of the critical welds.
Other details of the thorough examination can be found in section 4.0 of this guidance.

3.2.3 Verification of lifting beams with moving parts.

If the lifting beam is designed to tilt then the manufacturer is responsible for specifying the maximum permissible tilt from the horizontal. The beam can be verified through calculation or test, but whichever method is used then it is important that all the criteria specified in 3.3.1 and 3.2.3 are addressed with the beam at an additional 6 degrees to the maximum intended tilt angle.

Some lifting beams will facilitate adjustment under load, manipulation or orientation of the load or other complications. In this case it is essential that an operational test is conducted at # times SWL. #

If the free movement of the tilting or rotating mechanism presents a hazard then it is important that the mechanism is equipped with a device to stop movement and to immobilise the load in its intended position.

In addition to the above some lifting beams will also have movable parts; such has pad eyes that can be adjusted along the length of the beam. It is important that any movable part is effectively held in place when under load. When the spacing between these moving parts is controlled by a power source, protection devices must be incorporated to prevent crushing and shearing hazards as specified in BS EN 349:1993+A1:2008.

The devices described above used to hold the movable component of the lifting beam in place under load, must be effective up to 6 degrees from the maximum intended tilting angle permitted for the lifting beam. If the devices work using friction then the frictional force should be a least twice friction force is at least twice the force due to the self-weight of the parts and the working load limit for the maximum intended tilting angle plus 6 degrees.

  1. As with the main structural calculations the verification of the restraining device can be done by calculation or by test. Each method is detailed as follows:
    1. Calculation – The calculations should address all the criteria as outlined in section 3.2.1. However, if the beam can tilt then the analysis should be undertaken with the beam at plus 6 degrees from the maximum intended tilting angle. If the devices operate on a friction basis, the calculations shall demonstrate that at least # 2 x times to current standard# the force due to the self- weight of the parts and the working load limit for the maximum intended tilting angle plus 6 degrees.
  2. Test – The criteria set out in 3.2.2 should be followed in addition to the following procedure.
    With the moving part locked in position by means of its locking mechanism a force equal to # 2 x SWL to current standard # should be applied for a minimum of 1 minute at an angle of 6 degrees in excess of that specified by the manufacturer. The test should be carried out in both directions about the horizontal axis for each available locking position. If the moving part does not have a predetermined position but locks by friction, the test must be carried out at the two extremes of travel and at one intermediate part.
    After the force has been removed then the moving part and the locking mechanism must be thoroughly examined by a competent person. To be considered acceptable, the part and the locking mechanism must sustain the load without slippage, deformation or failure. After release of the load there must not be any visible defects and the device must still operate freely.
3.2.4 Verification of ancillary items.

Most lifting beams will be fitted with supplementary lifting accessories that are used to connect the lifting beam to the load and/or the lifting appliance. Examples of such accessories are typically, slings, swivel hooks, fabricated plate hooks, grabs, clamps, magnets and vacuum lifters.

For ancillary equipment that has been bought in, information such as the EC Declaration of Conformity, manufacturer’s certificate and instructions for use and maintenance must be included in the technical file for the beam assembly. The instructions for use must be supplied with the beam assembly or incorporated in the beam assembly’s instructions for use and maintenance.

Other items should be verified in accordance with an appropriate harmonised standard. Common standards to consider would be BS EN 13155, BS EN 818 and BS EN 13414.

3.3 Attaching the lifting beam to the crane and load.

Connections to the crane or the load should be capable of being locked before lifting so as to prevent any accidental uncoupling. For example a shackle with a bolt, nut and cotter pin should be used.

If the lifting beam has suspended parts means shall be provided to adequately protect them from damage during coupling or uncoupling the lifting beam to or from the crane.

In the case where lifting beams have moving parts that can be traversed along the beam then there should be a means at each end of the beam to prevent them from falling off. These moving parts must also have a device that will lock them in position when under load. If the means of locking the load attachment points is operated manually, then the state of locking must be visible to the operator.

3.4 Storage.

It is important that when the lifting beam is not required it can be stored such that it stable and protected from damage.

To be regarded as stable it must not tip over when tilted to angle of 10 degrees in any direction. This can be achieved by adding feet to the design or by the provision of additional equipment such as a stand for example.

If the equipment is fitted with ancillary equipment then the storage should also incorporate suitable design features to provide effective protection. Alternatively these items should be removed and stored separately. In the latter case the identity of the equipment must be maintained.

3.5 Instructions for use and maintenance.

Instructions for use and maintenance must be supplied with the beam. The LEEA has produced numerous safety information leaflets that can be used as a guide to the production of such a document, most notably reference to SI 8.3 Lifting Beams and Spreaders should be made.

For modular lifting beams details of the range of configurations and associated safe working loads should also be included. This can be done by means of supplying detailed assembly drawings.
In addition to the above if it is not obvious as to the orientation of the beam, this information should also be provided and again schematics are the simplest method of doing this.

3.6 Documentation

Lifting beams are classified as lifting accessories and fall within the scope of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. It is therefore required that they are supplied with an EC Declaration of Conformity and instructions for use and maintenance (refer to 3.3).

The EC Declaration must contain the following information:

3.7 Marking

The lifting beam must be marked with the following information:

Note 1: where the maximum working load depends on the configuration of the lifting beam, each operating position must be provided with a load plate indicating, preferably in diagrammatic form or by means of tables, the working load for each configuration

Note 2: where the orientation of the beam is not obvious, this should also be indicated. A ‘this way up’ arrow may suffice.

Note 3: occasionally lifting beams are fitted with fork lift truck pockets. These pockets are either intended to allow a fork lift truck to lift the load with the lifting beam or to allow the beam to be moved from location to location only. Whatever the intention, it is important that they are marked appropriately.

4.0 In-service Lifting Beams

Under LOLER lifting beams are considered as lifting accessories and must be examined at least every 6 months, in accordance with and examination scheme (refer to LEEA 032 for guidance) or after exceptional circumstances. The examinations should include the following:

4.1 Verification of repaired lifting beams.

Lifting beams will inevitably get knocked about or even misused in service resulting in damage and the need for repair. Whenever a Lifting beam is damaged requiring repair it is advised that the cause of the damage be investigated. It may be that the equipment is no longer adequate for the task.

4.1.1 Repair and verification due to in-service wear and tear.

If a beam is to be repaired it is advisable that the original design specification is consulted. Where this is not feasible then the repairer will have to take responsibility to ensure that the correct materials and components are used. To that end the repairer must have adequate information about the application the lifting beam is used for.

A record of the repairs and details of the components used should be recorded on a job card and retained with the maintenance log of the equipment.

Following the repair the equipment should be thoroughly examined by a competent person. In the case of a significant repair the beam may need to be NDT and or load tested.

4.1.2 Modification and verification.

There are a variety of reasons why a lifting beam will be modified during its life. It may be that the product it lifts has been altered requiring different distances between lift points or an increase in weight for example.

Whatever the reason it is important that the original design specification, test data, and technical file is referred to. In the absence of this information then the person responsible for the modification will have to make assumptions as to certain aspects of the design in order to minimise the risk. For example they may assume the lowest grade of steel for calculation purposes.

The modification would then have to be treated as making new equipment from second hand components and it is therefore recommended that section 3.0 – 3.7 of this guidance is followed.

An EC Declaration of Conformity will then have to be drawn up.


Last updated: 30-04-2018 12:56:02

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