Introduction

To ensure that you receive the appropriate service the following will explain the duties, responsibilities and risks of hiring a mobile crane.

The following is written in accordance with B.S. 7121 (Safe Use of Mobile Cranes), and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). Both B.S. 7121 and LOLER 1998 demonstrate the qualifications required by all personnel when involved in a crane lift. B.S. 7121 also acknowledges the risks, and highlights the need to protect against their consequences through appropriate comprehensive insurance cover now considered to be essential.

What are my options?

Under the terms of a Standard CPA Crane Hire Contract, the safe operation of the crane and the safety and welfare of its operator are the customer's responsibility. It is up to the customer to provide the following: CPA CRANE HIRE The customer must: Carry out all work in accordance with B.S. 7121 and LOLER 1998. Provide a Competent Appointed Person* who has the knowledge, experience and understanding of all aspects of the lifting operation. Provide qualified and competent Slinger/Signallers*. Plan the lift and operate a safe system of work. Provide all Method Statements and Risk Assessments. Ensure that the crane hired is of a suitable type and capacity. Check the credentials of the crane hire company and certification supplied. The crane owner has a duty to: Provide a crane that is properly maintained, tested and certificated. Provide a Competent Operator*. In addition, under standard CPA terms, the customer must provide the following insurance cover: Loss of, or damage to, our plant whilst on site. Loss of, or damage to, the goods being lifted. Continuing hire charges whilst the plant is 'off the road' for repairs following damage. Public liability, injury to operator, injury to other parties, including their property, arising from the crane operations.

Under the terms of a Standard CPA Contract Lift, the safe operation of the crane and the safety and welfare of its operator are the crane owner's responsibility. It is up to the crane owner to provide the following: CPA CONTRACT LIFT Birmingham Crane Hire will: Carry out all work in accordance with B.S. 7121 and LOLER 1998. Provide a Competent Appointed Person* who has the knowledge, experience and understanding of all aspects of the lifting operation. Provide qualified and competent Slinger/Signallers*. Plan the lift and operate a safe system of work. Provide all Method Statements and Risk Assessments. Ensure that the crane supplied is of a suitable type and capacity. Provide a crane that is properly maintained, tested and certificated. Provide a Competent Operator*. In addition, the following insurance cover will be provided: For loss or destruction of or damage to the contract goods shall be limited to a total of £25,000 (twenty five thousand pounds sterling) irrespective of the number of items being lifted/handled. For any other loss, damage or injury shall be limited to a total sum of £5,000,000 (five million pounds sterling).

* as defined by CPA Model Conditions for the Hiring of Plant

How much insurance cover do I need?

Hiring cranes and plant is inevitably accompanied by risk and with the cost of a modern mobile crane ranging from £100,000 to in excess of £2,000,000, the financial consequences for customers could be immense in the event of an accident.

As a customer hiring a crane or other item of plant, you must ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for the following risks:

• Loss of damage to the crane whilst on hire.
• Continuing hire charges whilst the crane is under repair.
• Injury to the operator.
• Injury to other parties, including damage to their property.

Birmingham Crane Hire Company Limited can arrange cover for loss or damage to the crane whilst on hire and continuing hire charges whilst the crane is under repair at 15% of the total invoice. Should the customer require cover for lifted goods, this is available at £5.00 per £1,000 of the value of the goods lifted.

Some important notes regarding CPA Contract Lifts

• Under CPA Contract lift conditions, the customer remains responsible for providing accurate information relating to both the items to be lifted and to the ground conditions.
• The customer must have public liability insurance.
• It is important to note that a CPA Crane Hire contract only becomes a CPA Contract Lift Hire contract when the crane owner supplies the Appointed Person and, hence, accepts responsibility for all aspects of the lift.
• Please note that the preparation time required to produce the relevant Method Statements and Risk Assessments for a Contract Lift will require a longer notice period than for CPA Crane Hire.

Still not sure or require advice?

Please feel free to contact one of our members of staff to talk through the options available to you or to organize a meeting with one of our experienced technical representatives to go through your requirements on site.