LEEA
on paper rather than mid-operation. As the saying goes: “Plan the lift and then lift the plan.” In practice, crews that take lift plans seriously
LEEA: Leading the way in lifting safety In the realm of lifting safety, LEEA stands as a global thought leader and trusted authority. Founded over 75 years ago in the UK, LEEA has grown into a worldwide membership body representing companies and professionals across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Its influence is such that LEEA membership is often seen as a mark of quality and safety by end users. A LEEA-certified inspection certificate or contractor’s credentials serve as a shorthand assurance of high standards. Membership with LEEA involves rigorous audits and a commitment to excellence. Prospective member companies must demonstrate competence in staff training, inspection procedures, and safety management before being accepted. Once accredited, members undergo regular audits – including unannounced spot checks – and are required to continually improve their practices. This ongoing commitment ensures that LEEA member inspection firms use the latest methods and maintain up-to-date training, while lifting equipment suppliers adhere to evolving safety standards and regulations. For organisations that operate lifting equipment – whether in oil and gas, construction, ports or manufacturing – LEEA membership offers a strategic pathway to improved safety and regulatory compliance. Corporate members and companies engaging LEEA services benefit from a wealth of resources, including training courses (both in-person and online), technical guidance and safety alerts on emerging issues. These services help organisations elevate their safety practices and ensure that every lift is conducted with the utmost care. Moreover, LEEA works closely
with regulatory bodies and standards organisations worldwide. Its experts participate in committees that shape international standards, influencing guidelines such as ISO standards, ASME B30 in the US and CSA standards in Canada. When companies follow LEEA recommendations, they are not only enhancing safety but also aligning with the same language and requirements as regulatory authorities. As LEEA CEO Ross Moloney stated during Global Lifting Awareness Day 2023, “Remember that LEEA exists to eliminate lifting accidents, injuries and fatalities, [as well as to] educate, influence and enable so that best practice is everyday action.”
10 Summer 2025 |
ochmagazine.com
tend to execute lifts more smoothly and confidently. Working out potential issues in a meeting or on a whiteboard is far preferable to attempting on-the-fly fixes when a load is already swaying dangerously overhead.
Pre-use inspections: your first line of defence Even the best lift plan can be undone by a simple equipment failure. That’s why pre-use inspections are non-negotiable in safe lifting operations. Before any crane, hoist, sling or shackle is used, a competent person should perform a brief but focused inspection to catch any obvious defects or misconfigurations. For example, a mobile crane operator will inspect the crane for leaks, loose pins, damaged tyres or outriggers and verify that limit switches and safety devices are functioning correctly. They also check the load chart and ensure the crane is properly set up, with outriggers fully extended. When it comes to lifting gear like slings, chains
or eyebolts, riggers look for cuts, fraying, bent links, cracks or excessive wear. Even for forklifts or telehandlers, operators must inspect critical components like forks, brakes and steering systems. Any equipment that fails these checks must be taken out of service immediately – a small catch now can prevent a catastrophic failure later. Regular pre-use inspections are often
mandated by company policy or regulations because they work so effectively in hazard prevention. A simple observation – such as noticing a missing hook latch or a misaligned shackle pin – can stop a chain reaction of failures. Routine inspections not only prevent accidents but also instil a sense of ownership and discipline among workers regarding the equipment they use, reinforcing that safety is an everyday practice.
Certified examinations: don’t skip the check-up Beyond the daily inspections carried out by operators, lifting equipment requires periodic, thorough examinations by certified professionals. Think of these examinations as scheduled maintenance check-ups for a vehicle – but with much higher stakes. Regulatory bodies around the world call for thorough examinations at regular intervals. In the US, OSHA and Canadian standards often require annual inspections for cranes, while the UK’s LOLER regulations mandate exams every 6–12 months depending on the equipment.
Engaging a certified third-party provider for these examinations is best practice. An independent, qualified inspector can identify issues that in-house personnel might overlook due to familiarity or production pressures. During a thorough examination, inspectors assess critical
components, test safety systems and review maintenance records. Techniques such as non-destructive testing – magnetic particle or ultrasonic tests – are employed on crane hooks or load-bearing welds, and inspectors verify the calibration of load indicators and the integrity of wire ropes. They also ensure that all markings and documentation, such as the “birth certificate” of the equipment, are in order. Should any component be found unsafe, the equipment is immediately flagged for repair or removal from service. The value of these examinations cannot
be overstated. They offer a deep dive into the equipment’s health that goes far beyond what a daily visual inspection can achieve. For instance, a wire rope might appear fine externally but could have internal corrosion detectable only through a professional examination. Similarly, an inspector might find that a critical pin on a crane was replaced with an incorrect grade bolt, or that an unreported overload incident left subtle deformations. Such findings not only help prevent accidents but also provide companies with the opportunity to fix issues and extend the life of their equipment. Documentation of these examinations is also essential for regulatory compliance, helping companies avoid legal penalties and demonstrating due diligence.
The LEEA code of practice: a global framework for safety The principles of planning, training, maintenance and inspections are not just common sense – they are codified in leading guidance documents such as the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association’s (LEEA) Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment, commonly known as COPSULE. LEEA, recognised globally as an authority on lifting, has established Section 1 of COPSULE as the educational framework that underpins safe lifting practices worldwide. Section 1 of COPSULE sets out five fundamental pillars of safe lifting: Planning: Operations must be adequately planned and supervised.
Training: Personnel involved in lifting operations must be properly trained.
Maintenance: Equipment must be maintained in safe working condition.
Inspection: Equipment must be inspected and thoroughly examined to ensure it is safe to use.
Documentation: Proper records of tests, inspections and examinations must be kept.
These pillars reflect decades of industry
experience, and the lessons learned from numerous accidents. By adhering to the COPSULE framework, companies build a safety net that catches potential issues long before a lift begins. LEEA’s guidance is comprehensive, authoritative and globally applicable – helping to ensure that best practices in lifting become standard practice in every operation.
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