Lifting tackle supplied with the machine may or may not be complementary as it is the machine that is hired. Specialized equipment e.g., cement bucket's, brick forks etc. do not form part of the hired lifting machine.
Note's (BS 7121 Pt 1 par3.3).
However, in a recent court case it has been decided that if the hirer/ end user, has little or no knowledge of the lifting process, the crane operator/ supplier becomes the Crane supervisor, effectively changing the type of contract to a Contract Lift.
2. The second type of lifting contract is a Contract Lift. In this type of contract the Hired becomes the main contractor and assumes all responsibilities for the process. If this type of contract is employed, the hired may be prudent and request from the hirer, a full subterranean composition report, containing stability and hazard's within the traveling & working zone. (LOLER Reg 4 -Mobile Crane Stability) This information is fundamental in the calculations that determine the lifting equipment, process & ancillaries required.
The selection of machine, personnel & ancillary equipment can now be made.
If Contract Lift is engaged then selection and planning is part of the hired in contract.
If standard machine hire is opted for, responsibility for all aspects of the job is laid at the feet of the hirer.
Most crane hire Co.'s are willing to visit the site to give an opinion.
If a driver under either type of contract has a safety problem or concern, then the lift controller or appointed person is to have the authority to act. It must be remembered that the driver is there to operate his/her machine to BS 7121 pt1 BS ISO 15513:2000
Planning Responsibilities
Crane operations and large plant movement should have been accounted for, as far as practically possible at the base planning stage. However, if sections of the site are out of synchronization from the progress plan then any movement of large plant is to be redressed.
Type of Contract
The conditions & responsibilities of both owner & hirer are to be clearly laid out & understood by both parties before the agreement can be relied on as a contract.
In the case of crane hire, two types of contract can be entered into. 1. The standard type of crane hire will be based per hour/day /week etc. The crane owner has the duty to supply the machine requested or of like or larger capacity in working order with a competent operator to the specific site's Safe Area. (Ref C.S.R. Lifting Method Statement)
ALL planning and operations after arrival on site is the responsibility of the hirer. (BS 7121 Pt 1:1989--par 3.3 / LOLER reg 8)
CPA Hire Contract-par 7- If the ground is soft or unsuitable for the plant to work on, travel over without timbers or equivalents the hirer shall supply & lay suitable timbers or equivalents in a suitable position for the plant to travel over or work on. (Ref HSE circular attached)
In most cases encountered by C.S.R.Lifting at construction site's (small works to large developments alike), the hirer is likely to be a sub contractor 2nd or 3rd level down, and have very little or no expert knowledge of the correct planning & use of lifting machines or equipment. In these instances it is more likely that the attending crane driver takes control of the process.
In Conclusion
In both types of contract it is the responsibility of the site owner or main contractor to supply all relevant information. If this information is not available then the crane supplier may request the working zone be investigated and reported on by a hired independent expert.
It must be stated that on standard crane hire, once the machine has been accepted on site, very little can be done with the scenario of poor advice.
The safe operation of the machine is his/her area of expertise.
The above information has been interpreted by C.S.R Lifting as a guideline to the hiring of mobile cranes under British law.