Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) delivered a series of testing and inspection services to Galvanize UK’s hot dip galvanising plant in South Kirkby during November.
RSS was contracted to test a variety of equipment, including testing stands, trestles, and a dross spoon, in addition to Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) tests prior to production resuming.
Mick Gill, senior testing engineer at RSS, said: “As we know, LOLER places duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment, while all new machinery in the scope of the machinery directive has to be designed and constructed to meet common minimum European requirements for safety. Galvanize UK required our expertise in both areas, particularly as it pertains to the stands that are so important during production.”
The scope of work was a follow-up to initial services delivered when the facility was being setup six months ago.
Gill added: “We had already tested the jigs/frames that sit on the stands—the product hangs from them—but here, to ensure ongoing compliance, we did new calculations for each stand and utilised Boliden zinc blocks that were already onsite because they were known weights.
“These weights were clearly stated on the side of each one. Using different numbers of blocks, and whatever lifting and rigging method suited the testing process, we were able to complete the tests efficiently and provide the necessary documentation to the customer.”
