HK SWP / Gondola Operator (CIC) cheat sheet

Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation: applies to construction and industrial undertakings; requires SWP to be of good mechanical construction, sound material, adequate strength; properly maintained; examined by competent examiner before first use and at intervals not exceeding 6 months; and after substantial alteration or repair.

Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations: reg 38 requires SWP to be suspended from adequate anchorage; reg 39 requires competent person to inspect before use and at least once every 7 days; reg 40 requires report of examination in approved form.

Under F&IU(SWP) Reg, the contractor must ensure SWP is not used unless there is a valid certificate of examination (Form SWP1) and a report of inspection (Form SWP2) where required; certificate must be kept on site.

Competent examiner (CE) for SWP must be a person appointed by the contractor and registered with Labour Department; CE conducts statutory examinations every 6 months and after major alteration; competent person (CP) conducts weekly inspections.

Operator duties: use SWP only if trained and authorized; carry out pre-use checks; not exceed rated load; report defects; use fall protection; follow permit-to-work and safe system.

Contractor duties: provide safe SWP, ensure erection/dismantling by competent workers under supervision, maintain records, ensure CE examination and CP inspection, provide fall protection and rescue plan.

Labour Department Code of Practice for Suspended Working Platforms (SWP) gives practical guidance on design, erection, inspection, operation and maintenance; compliance is not mandatory but can be used as evidence.

Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (F&IUO) general duties: employer must ensure safety of employees; employee must take care of self and others; breaches can lead to prosecution and fines/imprisonment.

Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations reg 4: contractor must ensure all plant and equipment on site are safe and without risk to health; reg 5: employees must use safety equipment provided.

Gondola / temporary suspended working platform (SWP): a suspended platform suspended by wire ropes from an overhead structure, used for work at height; typically has a cradle, hoist, safety device, and suspension ropes.

Single-point suspension: platform suspended from one suspension point; requires secondary safety rope and fall arrest; limited to light duty and specific configurations; stability depends on tie-back or counterweight.

Dual-point suspension: platform suspended from two independent suspension points; most common for facade work; each suspension point has its own suspension rope and safety rope.

Roof rig: the supporting structure on the roof consisting of beams, counterweights, outriggers, and tie-backs; must be structurally adequate and designed by engineer; counterweights must be securely fixed and marked with weight.

Parapet clamp: a device clamped to a parapet wall to provide anchorage for suspension ropes; must be designed for the load and inspected; not to be used on weak or fragile parapets.

Counterweight: weights used to counterbalance the roof rig; must be of adequate mass, fixed to prevent displacement, and never removed or substituted without authorisation; calculate required weight based on rig design.

Outrigger: a beam extending from the roof structure to support the suspension rope at a distance from the parapet; must be designed to take the load and be tied back to prevent overturning.

Tie-back: a rope or rod anchoring the roof rig to a structural element to prevent it from moving or overturning; must be independent of the suspension rope and designed for the load.

Cradle: the platform (basket) where workers stand; must have guardrails, toe boards, and floor; load rating plate must be displayed.

Suspension wire rope: the main rope supporting the platform; safety rope: independent rope for fall arrest, attached to a separate anchorage; fall arrest system: harness, lanyard, and safety rope.

Daily pre-use check by operator: check suspension ropes for broken wires, corrosion, kinks, wear, and correct termination; check safety ropes for damage and correct attachment; check rig for counterweights, tie-backs, and clamps.

Wire rope rejection criteria: if broken wires exceed limits (e.g., 6 randomly broken wires in one lay length for 6x19 rope; 10 for 6x37), or diameter reduction >10%, or severe corrosion, or kinks, the rope must be replaced.

Check hoist and brake: test hoist operation up and down; test brake by stopping and holding load; ensure no slippage; test emergency stop; check limiters (upper/lower) function.

Electrical: check power supply cable, RCD (trip test), control pendant, emergency stop, and isolator; ensure no exposed wires; check earth connection.

Platform: check guardrails (top rail, mid rail), toe boards, floor condition, nameplate with rated load and number of persons; ensure no unauthorized modifications.

Anchorage: verify roof rig is secure, counterweights are in place and fixed, tie-backs are tight, parapet clamps are tight; check structural adequacy of supporting structure.

Record: daily pre-use checklist must be completed and signed; defects must be reported and equipment tagged out; do not use defective SWP.

Erection/dismantling must be carried out by competent workers under supervision of a competent person, following manufacturer's instructions and design drawings; use fall protection and exclusion zone.

Roof rig installation: ensure supporting structure (roof slab, beams) can take the loads; use spreader beams if needed; counterweights must be fixed and marked; tie-backs to structural elements; outriggers secured.

Anchorage and tie-back: each suspension point must have independent safety rope anchorage; tie-backs must be designed by engineer and installed to prevent overturning; never use scaffolding or temporary structures as anchorage without engineer approval.

Testing and commissioning before first use: static and dynamic tests as per manufacturer; check hoist, brake, safety device (overspeed, slack rope), limiters, electrical systems; verify load rating; record results.

Statutory examination by competent examiner (CE) before first use and after substantial alteration; CE issues certificate (Form SWP1) and report; equipment cannot be used until certificate is issued.

After alteration (e.g., change of suspension height, change of rig configuration), re-examination by CE is required; also re-testing and re-commissioning.

Commissioning includes: load test at rated load and 125% static test (if required), function test of safety devices, and verification of stability.

Rated load: never exceed the rated load (kg) or number of persons marked on nameplate; distribute load evenly; avoid concentrated loads; do not use as storage.

Load distribution: keep load within platform boundaries; secure tools and materials; do not lean over guardrails; do not use ladders or steps on platform to gain extra height.

Stability: ensure platform is level; do not move platform with workers on board unless designed for travel; avoid swinging; use guide ropes if provided.

Wind and weather limits: stop operation when wind speed exceeds manufacturer's limit (often 10 m/s or 20 knots) or when weather affects safety (heavy rain, typhoon); secure platform and rig before typhoon.

Keep clear of obstructions: maintain safe distance from power lines (minimum 3 m for low voltage, more for high voltage); avoid contact with building projections; use guide ropes to control.

Travelling and parking: when travelling, keep platform balanced; park platform at designated safe location, isolate power, and secure against unauthorized use.

Communication and signalling: use clear communication (radio or hand signals) between operator and roof person; one signalman; emergency stop signal must be known.

Exclusion zones below: barricade area below SWP to prevent falling objects; use toe boards and tool lanyards; never allow persons below unless protected.

Independent safety rope: each person must attach to a separate safety rope (not the suspension rope) using a fall arrest lanyard and harness; safety rope anchored independently to a structural anchorage.

Harness inspection and fitting: check harness for cuts, fraying, broken stitches, corrosion; fit snugly, adjust all straps, ensure leg straps and chest strap are secure; attach lanyard to designated D-ring.

Anchorage points: must be capable of withstanding 10 kN (or as per design) per person; independent of suspension rope; never attach to guardrails or hoist.

Self-rescue and assisted rescue: operator should be trained in self-rescue (e.g., using rescue kit); assisted rescue by trained personnel; rescue plan must be in place before work.

Emergency lowering: if hoist fails, use emergency lowering device (manual descent) as per manufacturer; ensure trained and practiced.

Suspension trauma awareness: after a fall, person may be suspended in harness; suspension trauma can occur within 10-20 minutes; rescue quickly, keep legs moving, use relief straps if available.

Power supply: use dedicated supply with RCD (30 mA) protection; check RCD trip test before use; ensure cables are protected from damage; use industrial plugs and sockets.

Isolation: isolate power before maintenance; use lockout/tagout; ensure emergency stop and isolator are clearly marked and accessible.

Control pendant: check for damage, function of all buttons, emergency stop; pendant cable must be protected; do not use if damaged.

Hoist motor and brake: test hoist and brake daily; brake must hold rated load; check for wear; if brake slips, stop use and report.

Overspeed and slack-rope devices: safety device must be tested (e.g., by lifting platform slightly and checking slack rope device); overspeed device must function; do not bypass.

Tilt and overload limiters: if fitted, test function; do not exceed rated load; tilt limiter stops platform if excessive tilt.

Alarms and interlocks: check alarms (e.g., overload alarm) and interlocks (e.g., gate interlock) function; never disable.

Reporting defects and near misses: report immediately to supervisor; record in logbook; near misses must be reported and investigated; defective equipment tagged out.

Dealing with power failure: stop work, secure platform, use emergency lowering if needed; do not attempt to repair unless trained; inform supervisor.

Jammed platform: do not force; use manual lowering or rescue; call for assistance; keep calm; use communication.

Rope damage: if suspension rope damaged, stop use immediately; do not attempt to continue; evacuate platform safely; report.

Fire: use fire extinguisher if safe; evacuate; raise alarm; follow site emergency plan.

Typhoon and rainstorm procedures: secure SWP and rig before typhoon signal No. 8 or black rainstorm; lower platform to safe position, tie down, isolate power; after typhoon, inspect before use.

Evacuation: know evacuation route; use rescue equipment; do not jump; wait for rescue.

Statutory notification: report serious accidents to Labour Department and other authorities as required; preserve scene.

Log books: keep daily inspection log, maintenance log, and defect log; records must be kept on site and available for inspection.

Inspection and examination certificates: keep CE certificate (Form SWP1) and CP inspection report (Form SWP2) on site; valid for 6 months for CE, 7 days for CP.

Maintenance schedule: follow manufacturer's maintenance schedule; routine maintenance (e.g., lubrication, brake adjustment) by competent person; major maintenance by specialist.

Competent examiner certificates: CE must be registered; certificate must state SWP is safe to use; keep records for at least 2 years (or as required).

Records retention: keep records of inspection, maintenance, repair, and examination for at least 2 years; available for inspection by authorities.

Tagging out of defective equipment: use lockout/tagout; tag with 'DO NOT USE' and report; do not remove tag until repaired and re-examined.