New Driven Machinery Regulations – Published in March 2011
 It's important to note that the Driven Machinery Regulations that were published on 4 March 2011 was supposed to be published for public comment and not as the actual new regulations as was indicated in the publication. We spoke to Thobile Lamati (Chief Inspector) who confirmed that it was an error on the part of DoL. Lamati indicated that he will arrange for the regulations to be re published to indication that it is a for public comment. We are not sure for how long it will be open for public comment, keep an eye open for the gazette.
Herewith a summary of the draft changes that may have an impact on our industry:
1. Definitions now include a few changes.
1.1. Includes a “calendar”
1.2. Includes a “capstan hoist”
1.3. Lifting machine now excludes a “block & tackle”
1.4. Includes a “Lifting Machinery Entity (LME)”
1.5. Includes a “Lifting Machinery Inspector (LMI)”
1.6. Lifting Tackle now includes a “block & tackle”
2. DMR18 has changes substantially
2.1. DMR18(3) now requires the factor of safety for the chain or rope “in the load path” to have the specified factors of safety.
2.2. DMR18(4) now includes preventing not only the attaching hook form accidentally becoming disconnected but also “any other attaching device which is in the load path”
2.3. DMR18(5)(a) now requires the inspection of lifting machines to be undertaken by a registered [with the Department of Labour and the Engineering Council of South Africa] Lifting Machinery Inspector appointed by a registered [with the Department of Labour and the Engineering Council of South Africa] Lifting Machinery Entity. [It specifically excludes the Lifting Tackle which forms an integral part of a Lifting Machine from such an inspection.]
2.4. DMR18(6) now requires the examination at 6 monthly intervals of the ropes, slings etc which form an integral part of a lifting machine to be “examines by a person who has knowledge and experience of the type of lifting machine involves.”
2.5. DMR18(7) requires that a register be kept for a period of 10 years of all repairs, maintenance, tests and examinations of each lifting machine.
2.6. DMR18(10)(a) now requires that lifting tackle if free of “latent defects”
2.7. DMR18(10)(e) requires that the quarterly examination of lifting tackle be done by an appointed person “who by virtue of his training and experience of lifting tackle” and who shall record and sign results of such examination.
3. What does this in fact mean?
3.1. If a company is using in house Lifting Machinery Inspectors, which many do, they will be required to register as a “Lifting Machinery Entity”
3.2. All Lifting Machinery Inspector must be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa in terms of Act 26 of 2000.
3.3. Both certificates of registration will need to be attached to the letter of appointment as proof of competency.
3.4. As a Block & Tackle is now no longer deemed to be a lifting machine, it is no longer required to have certified training for the operator. Training would however still be required in terms of Section 8(2)(e) OHS Act.
3.5. Lifting Tackle including the tackle which forms an integral part of a lifting machine need not be examined by a registered LMI. It can be done in house by a person who is competent with both training & experience in using and examining tackle. They would also need to be trained in these regulations and aware of requirements of when and how to deal with or destroy / dispose of any unsafe tackle.
3.6. Come Along Clamps etc will certainly form part of the “load path” of a machine and also would be deemed to be lifting tackle and as such would be required to be examined quarterly.
3.7. The interesting here is the requirement that lifting tackle is free from Latent (hidden) defects as opposed to the previous requirement of ensuring that they were free from Patent (obvious / visible) defects. The legislator is unclear on how this should be accomplish. The reasonable person principle would come into play. “If in doubt, pull it out”. Take any lifting tackle out which any uncertainty exists OUT OF SERVICE.
3.8. A complete register per lifting machine is compiled and maintained in or with the machine. A suggestion would be that a register is printed up and bound for each machine as to ensure that pages etc don’t come apart and get lost and that the daily check of the machine include a verification that the register is still on hand, complete, up to date and undamaged. It must be in the machine so that any maintenance or repairs can be recorded immediately.
Neels Nortje | Health & Safety Manager |
