Is the equipment being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions? ? Do manufacturer’s instructions cover operation, maintenance and cleaning? ? Are relevant hazard warning notices on the equipment? ? Have any adaptations been made to the equipment, and if so have these been assessed and instructions updated accordingly? ? Are any accessories provided suitable for the tasks for which they are used? ? Is load bearing capacity of the equipment sufficient for all foreseeable loads, taking account of: o fixings and mountings o strength and stability, o the weight of any associated accessories used in the lifting operation, and o the combination of forces to which the equipment will be subjected. o forces and additional stresses when using different configurations. ? Are any lifting accessories of adequate strength? ? Can all materials/products to be handled or used by the equipment be supplied/removed safely? Lifting equipment used for lifting people Where equipment is used to lift people the carrier (ie the piece of equipment in which the person will be lifted) must have the following: o Suitable devices and measures to prevent the person being crushed, trapped or struck or falling whilst being lifted or working from the carrier. Suitable measures will include an assessment of the task to ensure the equipment can be positioned so that the worker has appropriate access to the area of work and is not required to move out of the carrier or to stretch across in a manner which makes the task unsafe; o Suitable devices and measures to prevent the risk the carrier falling . Suitable devices will include: o Multiple ropes (with independent anchorages) o Multiple cylinders o Ropes, chains or hydraulic pipes with a high factor of safety o Safety gear o Check valves (for hydraulically powered systems) Suitable measures will include: o Derating the equipment o Daily inspections by a competent person o Effective training o Suitable method of safe escape in the event that any person is trapped in the carrier to include: o Ability to make others aware so they can be freed safely o Appropriate lowering systems Where people are required to be lifted on fork lift trucks which are not designed for this purpose, this may only be done using a properly constructed carrier made specifically for this purpose. The carrier must be fitted with: o Suitable edge protection o Gates and barriers that open inwards and are fitted with devices to prevent them opening inadvertently o Non-slip floor surface If no properly constructed carrrier is available an alternative means of access must be found. The use of make-shift cages, or allowing people to be raised on the forks of the truck are strictly forbidden.