H&S for a camera crane?

[ddproduction]

Hi all,

 

I have just built a 12' camera crane for video relay use (indoors). Presumably there are some H&S regs that apply to using a camera crane (I'm thinking a 5lb Canon XL1 and a 12' ali tube falling on someone's head from about 10' in the air, plus any electrical complications).

 

The crane is balanced 1:1 so there is no counterbalance, but if it was dropped it would hurt!. It has a wiring loom built (for DC voltage and video signal) in so I'm going to get it PAT tested, but any idea if I will need anything else certified as well? Or any other safety issues I have missed?

 

Thanks! :** laughs out loud **:

[paulears]

PAT tested? What exactly can you test? The double insulated AC adaptor??

 

I've just copied this from the daily inspection record form

Basically a few statements and aplace for the person who checked it to sign.

General Wear and Tear

Jib Arm including all moving parts

Centre pillar including nuts

Support system

Weight box

Head attachment

Cables

 

That's it.

 

This is just a simple form knocked up that makes sure there is a system that allows checking. There can still be potential risks in using it, so that's covered by a general risk assessment. A smaller 2m reach one I treat as just another camera support and don't do anything like the above. Anything that can fall and people could get injured is just another item of everyday kit really - so as long as you split the potential hazards into mechanical and usage issues, you've done it really. Probably worth just checking the operator is sufficiently strong, as well as well trained. First time I used one at a big concert (where I might have just overplayed my skills) I discovered the physical effort was pretty demanding when the director asked for big swooping moves over and over again - getting it moving and then stopping it involves serious effort on a big jib.

[mac.calder]

If your jib breaks and hits someone there is a good chance it will be classed as a lifting device by any investigating body. All regulations applying to a lifting device will apply. Very messy.

 

You can buy proper camera jibs for not a lot of money these days (under a grand) - personally I would go that route, purely for the cover your backside factor... The fact that they are also generally counter-weighted is a bonus.

[paulears]

Mac - I've never seen that interpretation before. I can see where you're coming from, but it's interesting - and if it did apply, then I doubt anybody would find it easy to document - after all lifting equipment tends to be subject to all sorts of testing and certification, which camera equipment doesn't? I suppose, on this basis, then a gas supported ped would also be lifting equipment - it does after all, lift heavy equipment - bit isn't really in the same league as a chain motor, is it?

 

Worms, can of, opened?

 

Some of the LOLER check list items might be tricky if applied to camera cranes used over the public or performers. Like this one

 

Only trained people allowed in areas where lifting equipment is used - hmm, tricky - lots of untrained people very close.

Visibility – ensure we can see what is happening - does doing it in the dark make this one difficult?

 

I don't think there would be too much of a problem to carry it out within the regs, but as somebody who only just missed a punter who stood up as the boom was being swung, and the jib was perhaps a tad low because it's difficult to swing and have one eye on the 'real' thing and the other on the monitor - it's not as easy as maybe it sounds.

 

Would LOLER also apply to people flying too? The usual safety paperwork makes no specific mention of LOLER, but again, most of the checklist info could be used to support LOLER requirements. Odd it's not built into the paperwork system. I've just checked my safety folder and have nothing specific for LOLER, but plenty that could be teased out to support it. Maybe somebody further up the safety chain takes the records I produce and files them in a LOLER folder? I don't know?

[ddproduction]

Thanks for all this - just to say when we have used it before we have had a cordon around the entire swing area so unless someone climbed over this then it would not affect them.

One other idea we had was if we had to swing the jib over people then we would put clear signage up informing them of this and giving them the option to move seats. Any thoughts?

[mac.calder]

I know the Jibs we hire - if they have the reach to be able to go over someones head (ie anything greater than about 8') - all have SWL's/WLL's stamped on them, require a "competent" operator, have annual and per use inspection regimes (ie a log book), have to be bollarded off within a certain distance from the base of the unit etc etc etc. Basically they are treated no different to a small crane. Maybe that is our hire place being proactive, maybe it is an aussie thing.

[Peter F]

I cannot really see how anyone could interpret a camera crane / jib as not being covered by LOLER regulations, except perhaps through a desire to not open a can of worms.

 

Several of the reputable camera hire operations certainly regard their equipment as requiring inspection and certification to meet LOLER.

 

In this guide to inspection frequency, camera booms are explicitly mentioned. I should make it clear that this guide is on the website of a company who specialise in carrying out inspections, I do not know of its origin, it is quite likely that the list has been compiled by the company who have a commercial interest in the inspections taking place.

 

The BBC risk assessment calls for LOLER test checks where appropriate for Camera Cranes/Jimmy Jibs/Dollies & Camera Platforms, indicating that they consider some items of this category are covered.

 

In a more direct answer to the original poster's question This National Occupational Standards course gives a very good indication of what is considered relevant experience, knowledge and legislation relevant to the operation of camera cranes.

 

ddproduction might find it helpful to look at the HSE Simple guide to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. In my mind it confirms without any doubt that you would be required to meet the requirements of LOLER.

 

It isn't as daunting or costly a task as you might imagine. If you can find a friendly industrial crane tester and explain your circumstances you might find that they quite enjoy helping you certify something a bit more interesting than a 25T shackle.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[Junior8]

If you haven't had a design review/SWL test get one done now and don't use it until you have. You might find your insurance isn't valid without this simple precaution. I don't think the signage you mention would be much legal protection in the case of an accident.

[paulears]

I spoke to some people who do this kind of thing, and indeed LOLER is a feature of the testing - however, the hire firms and owner/operators tend to make the paperwork suit the requirements, but not do a big song and dance about the actual word.

 

However, the jibs that are less than 3m reach I've researched don't seem to have SWL ratings, just a maximum weight.

 

So at some point, as we cross from size to size, we move into LOLER territory, but I can't find anything to work with. My own old Vinten Dolphin arm really needs two people to lift it, and that's before it has the lead weights loaded, and can easily lift pretty heavy loads above my head, and making contact with a person could be nasty. It doesn't get much use as it's just too big and heavy - but I'm going to have to re-assess it. It certainly doesn't have an SWL marked on it that I'm aware of - but to be honest, I've never actually looked to see.

 

It the words of Ynot hmmmmm

[ddproduction]

This particular crane would never have much more than a 3kg camera loaded on the end, and (as I probably should have pointed out) the 12' length is the entire jib. It is balanced 1:1 QED there is only a 6' bar actually in the air.

[Peter F]

I spoke to some people who do this kind of thing, and indeed LOLER is a feature of the testing - however, the hire firms and owner/operators tend to make the paperwork suit the requirements, but not do a big song and dance about the actual word.

 

However, the jibs that are less than 3m reach I've researched don't seem to have SWL ratings, just a maximum weight.

 

So at some point, as we cross from size to size, we move into LOLER territory, but I can't find anything to work with.

 

LOLER makes no mention of weight. It doesn't differentiate between a 5kg camera or a 300 tonne crane.

 

However... (everything in this posting is my opinion and interpretation, based on common sense but no legal precedent. Bear that in mind please)

 

If you read the actual regulations I think it would be fairly straightforward for the operator or owner of a small camera crane to confidently tick all the boxes that enable them comply to the rules.

 

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

 

It isn't a complicated piece of legislation. Excluding exclusions (!) there are only 9 pages to read and it is written very clearly.

 

Calculating a safe working load (SWL) shouldn't be too difficult. Establish a satisfactory safety factor, say 6:1, demonstrate that your assembly can handle that without demonstrating any degree of stress at any point in the assembly.

Document your test procedures.

 

Clearly, you would have to be going into a bit more detail than this but hopefully you understand the point I am making. If you could sit with a copy of the legislation and show what you had done to make your equipment and working practices comply to it, then I think you would both legally and morally be in a better position in the event of an incident than anyone who has chosen to just ignore LOLER and hope it never happens.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Peter