New SOLAS regulation for lifting appliances

Procedural Inclusion

• The SMS must include written procedures for:
  • Safe operation of lifting appliances.
  • Routine and emergency maintenance.
  • Inspection and testing schedules.
  • Risk assessments for lifting operations.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Clear assignment of responsibilities within the SMS:
  • Who conducts inspections and tests.
  • Who conducts maintenance (matrix defining qualification of Responsible Persons authorized for specific maintenance levels).
  • Who authorizes lifting operations.
  • Who maintains records and ensures compliance.

Risk Management

• Lifting operations must be covered in the vessel’s risk assessment framework.
• Hazards such as:
  • Overloading,
  • Equipment failure,
  • Personnel injury,
  • Environmental conditions, should be identified and mitigated.

Training & Competence

• SMS must ensure:
  • Crew are trained in lifting appliance use.
  • Competence is verified and documented.
  • Refresher training is scheduled and tracked.

Emergency Preparedness

• Procedures for dealing with:
  • Equipment failure during lifting.
  • Injuries or accidents.
  • Recovery of dropped loads.
• These should be part of the vessel’s emergency response plan.

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Non-conformities, near misses, and incidents involving lifting appliances must be:
  • Reported through the SMS.
  • Investigated and analyzed.
  • Used to improve procedures and training.

Documentation & Recordkeeping

• All lifting appliance activities (inspections, tests, maintenance, training) must be:
  • Documented within the SMS.
  • Available for internal and external audits.
  • Retained for the required duration.