Technical devices, lifting structures and pressure equipment safety
Scope
This domain tests technical device safety: certification, expert review, registration, examination and operation of lifting structures and pressure equipment. The key distinction is between a conformity certificate, an industrial safety expert review and a periodic technical examination.
Core rules
- Technical devices at HPFs must comply with technical regulations and, where required, have industrial safety expert review.
- Lifting structures such as cranes and hoists are registered and periodically examined; load tests follow repair or modification.
- Pressure vessels and boilers require registration, inspection, safety valves, pressure gauges and operational limits.
- Defects affecting safe operation require stop-use and competent assessment.
- Operating instructions, logbooks and examination records must be available.
Worked example
An overhead crane is rebuilt with a new trolley. Reasoning: this is a modification, not routine maintenance. Before return to service, obtain the required expert review, update registration data if the rated capacity or design changes, perform the load test and record the result. Verify limit switches, brakes and emergency stop. Do not accept a supplier's certificate alone as proof of fitness after modification; the examination and registration chain must be complete.
Traps
- Treating a conformity certificate as a substitute for expert review.
- Returning a repaired crane to service without load testing.
- Ignoring pressure gauge calibration and safety-valve testing.