General guidance

to the
Manufacturer of
Lifting Equipment
to the
Development of
Instructions for
Use

Document Reference LEEA 062

 General Guidance to the Manufacturer of Lifting Equipment to the
Development of Instructions for Use
Document reference LEEA 062 dated 24th April 2015

Published by the
LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION
3 Osprey Court, Kingfisher Way
Hinchingbrooke Business Park
Huntingdon PE29 6FN
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0) 1480 432801 Fax: + 44 (0) 1480 436314
E-mail: mail@leea.co.uk Website: www.leeaint.com

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1.0 Introduction
It is a requirement of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 that adequate instructions are
supplied with all lifting equipment. These instructions must be in the official community language or
languages of the member state in which the equipment is to be placed on the market and put into
service.

The contents of the instructions must cover not only the intended use of the lifting equipment but also
take into account any reasonable foreseeable misuse thereof.

Where lifting equipment is intended for use by non-professional operators, the wording and layout of
the instructions for use must take into account the level of general education and acumen that can
reasonably be expected from such operators.

The following information is given as guidance to the manufacturer of Lifting Equipment to enable them
to develop adequate instructions for use and assist them in fulfilling their legal obligations under the
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.

2.0 Contents of the Instructions for Use

Each instruction manual must contain, where applicable, at least the following generic information.

1. Business name and full address of the manufacturer.

2. The designation of the machinery as marked on the machinery itself, except for the serial number.
3. The EC Declaration of Conformity or the contents of the EC Declaration of Conformity, showing the
particulars of the Lifting Equipment, without the serial number and signatures.
4. A general description of the Lifting Equipment.
5. Drawings, diagrams, descriptions and explanations necessary for use, maintenance and repair of
the lifting equipment and for checking its correct functioning.
6. A description of the workstation(s) likely to be occupied by operators.
7. A description of the intended use of the lifting equipment.
8. Warnings concerning ways in which the machinery must not be used that experience has shown
might occur.
9. Assembly, installation and connection instructions, including drawings, diagrams and the means of
attachment and the designation of the chassis or installation on which the lifting equipment is to be
mounted.
10. Instructions relating to installation and assembly for reducing noise or vibration.
11. Instructions for putting into service and use of the lifting equipment and, if necessary, instructions
for training operators.
12. Information regarding residual risks that may remain despite inherent safe design measures,
safeguarding and complementary protective measures adopted.
13. Instructions on the protective measures to be taken by the user, including, where appropriate PPE
to be provided.
14. The essential characteristics of tools which may be fitted to the Lifting Equipment.
15. The conditions in which the lifting equipment meets the requirements for stability during use,
transportation, assembly, dismantling when out of service, testing or foreseeable breakdowns.
16. Instructions with a view to ensuring that transportation, handling and storage operations can be
made safely, given the mass of the lifting equipment and of its various parts where these are
regularly to be transported separately.
17. The operating method to be followed in the event of accident or breakdown; if a blockage is likely
to occur, the operating method to be followed so as to enable the equipment to be safely unblocked.
18. A description of the adjustment and maintenance operations that should be carried out by the user
and the preventative maintenance measures that should be observed.
19. Instructions designed to enable adjustment and maintenance to be carried out safely, including the
protective measures that should be taken during these operations.
20. The specifications of the spare parts that should be used, when these affect the health and safety
of the operators.
21. The noise emission declaration.

The following additional items are specific to Lifting Machines only;

22. The technical characteristics of the Lifting machine.

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23. Contents of the log book, if the latter is not supplied with the lifting machine.
24. Advice for use, particularly to offset the lack of direct vision of the load by the operator.
25. Where appropriate, a test report detailing the static and dynamic tests to be carried out by the
manufacturer.
26. For machinery which is not assembled on the premises of the manufacturer in the form in which it
is to be used, the necessary instructions for performing the measures necessary for checking fitness
for purpose, before it is first put into service.

The following additional items are specific to Lifting Accessories only;

27. The intended use

28. The limits of use (particularly for lifting accessories such as magnetic or vacuum pads which do not
fully comply with the requirement that holding devices be designed and constructed in such a way
that inadvertent dropping of loads is avoided.
29. Instructions for assembly, use and maintenance
30. The static test coefficient used.

These are the minimum requirements for general purpose lifting equipment and therefore the author of
instructions is advised that this list is not to be taken as exhaustive.

The following sections give further guidance on each of the above and offer examples to enable the
manufacturer of lifting equipment to ensure that they are providing adequate instructions for use.

2.1 Business name and full address of the manufacturer.

This must be the same information that is written on the EC Declaration of Conformity. On some smaller
items of lifting equipment a symbol unique to the manufacturer will be marked on the equipment, in this
case this must also be included, along with the full business name and address of the manufacturer, in
the instructions for use.

2.2 The designation of the machinery as marked on the machinery itself, except the serial
number.
The designation of the machinery is the name or code number given by the manufacturer to the model
of the lifting equipment concerned. Where a model of lifting equipment has several variants, it must be
made clear to the user which specific parts of the instructions apply to each variant. Similarly, if the
instructions cover more than one model or type, for example, if they cover several models or types of
lifting equipment belonging to the same series, it must be made clear to the user which specific parts
of the instructions apply to each model or type.

2.3 The EC Declaration of Conformity or the contents of the EC Declaration of Conformity,

showing the particulars of the lifting equipment, without the serial number and signatures.
Like the instructions, the EC Declaration must accompany the equipment. In order to fulfil this obligation,
the manufacturer can choose between the two following alternatives:

1. The signed EC Declaration of Conformity is included in the instruction booklet. This is

appropriate in the case of one-off lifting machines or accessories produced in small numbers.
2. A document setting out the contents of the EC Declaration (not necessarily including the serial
number and the signature) is included on the instruction booklet, in which case the EC
Declaration of conformity must be provided separately.

2.4 A general description of the lifting equipment.

The purpose of this description is aimed at enabling the user to identify the main parts of the equipment
and their functions.

2.5 Drawings, diagrams, descriptions and explanations necessary for use, maintenance and
repair of the lifting equipment and for checking its correct functioning.
This deals with the information and explanations necessary for safe use, maintenance and repair of the
equipment and for checking if it is working correctly. Clear and simple drawings, diagrams, graphs and
tables are usually preferable to long written explanations. However, necessary explanations must be
placed adjacent to the illustrations to which they refer.

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For lifting equipment it is advised that the diagrams show the correct intended use, but also foreseeable
incorrect use. For example figure 1, below, shows diagrams of the correct and incorrect methods of
slinging. The text also explains how the lifting capacity is reduced as a result of the sling method.

Figure 1: Choke hitched single leg sling, mode factor 0.8 x WLL marked on the sling. Note do not force,
hammer or wedge chain slings or their fittings into position.

2.6 A description of the workstation(s) likely to be occupied by operators.

This deals with the workstations foreseen for operators. Aspects to be covered include, for example:
- The location of workstations
- The adjustment of seats, foot rests or other parts of the machinery to ensure good posture and
reduce vibrations transmitted to the operator.
- The layout and identification of control devices and their functions
- The different operating or control modes and the protective measures and precautions relating
to each mode.
- Use of guards and or protective devices fitted to the machinery
- Use of equipment fitted to contain or evacuate hazardous substances or to maintain good
working conditions.

2.7 A description of the intended use of the lifting equipment.

The description of the intended use of the lifting equipment must include precise indication of the
purposes for which it is intended.

The description of the intended use must cover all the different operating modes and phases of use of
the machinery and specify safe values for the parameters on which the safe use of the machinery
depends. Such factors may include for example,

- The maximum lifting load

- The maximum slope on which mobile machinery can operate without loss of stability
- The maximum wind speed in which the machinery can be used safely

The description of intended use could be supplemented with diagrams and tables as described in 2.5
above.

2.8 Warnings concerning ways in which the machinery must not be used that experience has
shown might occur.
This requires the manufacturer’s instructions to take into account foreseeable misuse of the lifting
equipment. To avoid such misuse it is helpful to indicate to the user the usual reasons for such misuse
and to explain the consequences. The warnings against foreseeable misuse of the lifting equipment
must take into account of feedback from users and information about accidents or incidents involving
similar equipment.

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The description of foreseeable misuse could be supplemented with diagrams and tables as described
in 2.5 above.

2.9 Assembly, installation and connection instructions, including drawings, diagrams and the
means of attachment and the designation of the chassis or installation on which the lifting
equipment is to be mounted.
This covers operations to be carried out by or on behalf of the user before the machinery is put into
service.

Assembly instructions are necessary for machinery that is not supplied to the user ready to use, for
example, where elements of the machinery have been disassembled for transport or packaging
purposes. Particular attention must be given to assembly instructions where assembly is to be carried
out by non-professional users.

Assembly instructions for interchangeable equipment must specify the type or types of basic
machinery with which the equipment can be safely used and include the necessary instructions for the
safe assembly of the interchangeable equipment with the basic machinery by the user. In the case of
machinery supplied without a drive system, the instructions must indicate all the necessary
specifications for the drive system to be fitted such as the type, power and means of connection, and
include precise fitting instructions for the drive system.

Installation instructions are necessary for machinery that has to be installed on and/or fixed to
particular supports, structures or buildings, on foundations or on the ground, in order to ensure its
safe use and stability. The instructions must specify the requisite dimensions and load bearing
characteristics of the supports and the means to be used to fix the machinery to its supports. For
machinery intended to be installed on means of transport, the instructions must specify the vehicles or
trailers on which the machinery can be safely installed, either by reference to their technical
characteristics or, where necessary, by reference to specific models of vehicle.

Connection instructions must describe the measures to be used to ensure safe connection of the
machinery to energy supplies, supplies of fluids and so on. The relevant characteristics of the
supplies, such as, for example, voltage, power, pressure or temperature, must be specified. The safe
connection of the machinery to the means of evacuating hazardous substances must also be
specified, when these means are not an integral part of the machinery.

2.10 Instructions relating to installation and assembly for reducing noise or vibration.
This is in relation to a specific aspect of the installation and assembly instructions relating to the
reduction of noise or vibration emissions.

With respect to noise, the instructions must specify, where appropriate, the correct assembly and
installation of equipment supplied by the machinery manufacturer to reduce noise emission.

With respect to vibrations, the instructions may include, for example, specifications for foundations with
adequate damping characteristics.

2.11 Instructions for putting into service and use of the lifting equipment and, if necessary,
instructions for training operators.
The instructions for putting into service shall indicate all of the necessary checks, functional tests or
inspections that need to be carried out to ensure the lifting equipment is in good working condition
before first use.

This section must also indicate whether specific training is required to use the equipment correctly. The
manufacturer is not expected to provide a full training program or training manual in the instructions.
However the instructions may indicate important aspects to be covered by the operator training in order
to help employers fulfil their obligations to provide appropriate training to operators.

2.12 Information regarding residual risks that may remain despite inherent safe design
measures, safe guarding and complementary protective measures adopted.
The instructions must include clear statements relating to any risks that have not been sufficiently
reduced by inherently safe design measures or by integrated technical protective measures.

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For example when using one leg of a multi-leg sling to back hook free legs to the master link to prevent
snagging.

2.13 Information on the protective measures to be taken by the user, including, where
appropriate PPE.
The measures to be specified in the instructions may include for example;
- The organisation of safe systems of work
- The restriction of certain tasks to trained and authorised operatives
- The provision and use of appropriate PPE

2.14 The essential characteristics of tools which may be fitted to the lifting equipment.
This deals with instructions relating to tools that are not permanently fixed to the machinery and that
may be changed by the user. Such tools are not considered as part of the machinery, however the safe
use of the machinery frequently depends on the fitting and use of appropriate tools.

In almost all cases this will not be required for lifting equipment as it is perhaps more relevant to tools
like drill bits in a CNC machine for example. However if tools are to be used with the lifting equipment
then the instructions may include, for example:
- The maximum or minimum dimensions and mass of tools;
- The constituent materials and assemblies of tools;
- The requisite shape or other essential design features of tools;
- The compatibility of the tools with the tool-holders on the machinery.

2.15 The conditions in which the lifting equipment meets the requirements for stability during
use, transportation, assembly, dismantling when out of service, testing or foreseeable
breakdowns.
Where the design and construction of the lifting equipment ensures the stability of the lifting equipment
under certain defined conditions, these must be specified in the instructions.

In many cases simple statements limiting the conditions of use would be acceptable here, for example:
- Do not use on slopes exceeding xx degrees
- Do not operate in wind speeds in excess of xx m/s

The instructions must also provide advice on stability during certain periods in the lifting equipment’s
life, such as during transportation, assembly, dismantling and maintenance for example.

2.16 Instructions with a view to ensuring that transportation, handling and storage operations
can be made safely, given the mass of the lifting equipment and of its various parts where
these are regularly to be transported separately.
Instructions for safe transport, handling and storage of the machinery and of parts that are to be
transported separately shall include, as appropriate:

- Instructions for the safe manual handling of the lifting equipment or parts of the sling that are to
be moved by hand.
- Instructions on the use of attachment points for lifting the machinery, the mass of the machinery
and of the parts to be transported.
- Instructions with regards to the mass of the lifting equipment to be transported.
- Instructions for safe storage to prevent damage and degradation to the sling or injury to
persons.

2.17 The operating method to be followed in the event of accident or breakdown; if a blockage
is likely to occur, the operating method to be followed so as to enable the equipment to be
safely unblocked.
This section requires the manufacturer to anticipate potential malfunctioning of the lifting equipment and
to specify the procedures to be followed to deal with emergencies. The measures to be specified,
include, for example, the methods used to rescue injured persons, to summon help or to rescue trapped
persons.

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The instructions should also describe the method to be followed in the case of a blockage of moving
parts and explain the use of any special protective devices or tools provided for that purpose.

2.18 A description of the adjustment and maintenance operations that should be carried out
by the user and the preventative maintenance measures that should be observed.
This requires the manufacturer to describe the maintenance operations that must be carried out by the
user.

In particular, the instructions must specify the maintenance operations that must be carried out and
indicate their frequency. The instructions should list those parts of the lifting equipment that must be
checked regularly in order to detect excessive wear, periodicity of these checks (in terms of number of
cycles) and the nature of the necessary inspections or tests. Criteria must be given for the replacement
of worn parts.

2.19 Instructions designed to enable adjustment and maintenance to be carried out safely,
including the protective measure to be taken during these operations.
The instructions must specify the necessary methods and procedures that must be followed in order to
ensure that adjustment and maintenance operations can be carried out safely. The appropriate
protective measures and precautions to be taken during maintenance operations must be indicated.
The instructions shall include, as appropriate:
- Information on the isolation of energy sources, the locking of the isolator, the dissipation of
residual energies and the verification of the safe state of the lifting equipment.
- Measures to ensure safety for maintenance operations that must be carried out while the
machinery is operating.
- Methods to be used to safely remove or replace components.
- Precautions to be taken when cleaning internal parts which have contained hazardous
substances.
- Means of access to be used for exceptional repairs.

2.20 The specifications of the spare parts that should be used, when these affect the health
and safety of the operators.
In general the supply of spare parts is not covered by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and
thus a matter for contractual agreement between the manufacturer and the user. However, where parts
subject to wear and tear need to be replaced in order to protect the health and safety of users, the
specifications of the appropriate spare parts must be given in the instructions.

2.21 The noise emission declaration.

This sets out the information on airborne noise emission to be stated in what is currently called the
noise emission declaration. This declaration has two main purposes:

- to assist users to choose machinery with reduced noise emission;

- to provide information useful for the risk assessment to be carried out by the employer
according to national provisions implementing article 4 of Directive 2003/10/EC on the exposure
of workers to the risks arising from noise.

In this respect, it should be recalled that the manufacturer's noise emission declaration only provides
information about the contribution of the machinery itself to noise in the workplace. The level of
exposure of workers cannot be simply deduced from the machinery manufacturer's noise emission
declaration, since the exposure of operators is also influenced by other factors.

The information to be provided in the noise emission declaration includes three different noise
emission quantities:

1. The A-weighted emission sound pressure level, LpA, produced by the machinery at its
workstation(s). This is the average A-weighted sound pressure level over a specific time,
representative of a full work cycle of the machinery. Being an emission value, it excludes
contributions from the environment of the machinery such as reflections of noise from walls or
noise from other sources at the workplace.

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 This quantity must be determined by measurement for all machinery using an appropriate test
code, whether or not the machinery is considered noisy. If the measured value does not
exceed 70 dB(A), the instructions must state this. If the measured value exceeds 70 dB(A),
the measured value must be stated in the instructions.

2. The peak C-weighted instantaneous sound pressure value, also known as the C-weighted
peak sound pressure level, LpCpeak. This is the maximum value reached by the C weighted
sound pressure over a specific duration representative of a full work cycle of the machine.

This value is relevant for machinery that emits strongly impulsive noise. It only has to be
stated in the instructions if the measured value exceeds 63 Pa (130 dB in relation to 20 μPa).

3. The A-weighted sound power level, LWA. This quantity represents the airborne sound energy
radiated by the machine in space and thus characterises the machine as a noise source. It is
the most important noise emission quantity and is independent of the environment in which
the machine is placed.

Since the measurement of the LWA may be complex, this value only has to be measured and
stated in the instructions if the LpA at any of the workstations exceeds 80 dB(A).

Further guidance on noise emissions can be found in harmonised standards applicable to the lifting
equipment or through reference to Directive 2006/42/EC section 1.7.4.2 (u).

2.22 The technical characteristics of the lifting machine.

The instructions should identify all the technical characteristics of the lifting machine, in particular;
- The maximum working load and, where appropriate, a copy of the load plate or load table.
- The reactions at the supports or anchors and, where appropriate characteristics of the tracks.
- Where appropriate, the definition and the means of installation of the ballast.

2.23 Contents of the log book, if the latter is not supplied with the machinery.
Note that there is no obligation for the manufacturer to supply such a log book. However, supplying a
log book in which the preventative maintenance operations to be carried out by the user and their
periodicity are indicated can be recommended as a practical way of providing the maintenance
instructions, refer to 2.18.

Even if the manufacturer of the lifting machinery does not provide a log book, they are required to
provide advice as to its content.

2.24 Advice for use, particularly to offset the lack of direct vision of the load by the operator.
This section recognises that despite measures taken by the manufacturer to prevent collisions, the
operator may nevertheless have inadequate visibility of the load in certain operating conditions, for
example, due to obstacles in the operating zone. The manufacturer must therefore provide guidance to
the user on measures that can be taken to compensate for such a lack of visibility.

2.25 Where appropriate, a test report detailing the static and dynamic tests to be carried out
by the manufacturer.
This refers to the measures taken by the manufacturer to check the fitness for purpose of the lifting
machinery.

It refers to the static and dynamic tests that are required for all lifting machinery. The relevant test
reports must be included in the instructions. This is done to provide the user with the proof that the
necessary test have been done.

2.26 For machinery which is not assembled on the premises of the manufacturer in the form
in which it is to be used, the necessary instructions for checking the fitness for purpose of
the lifting machinery.
This is relevant when machinery is not assembled in the manufacturer’s premises and its fitness for
purpose must therefore be checked by or on behalf of the manufacturer at the place of use. In this case
the instructions for carrying out the necessary measures must be included in the manufacturer’s
instructions to allow the necessary measures to be carried out at the place of use. It should be noted

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that this requirement does not imply that the manufactures obligation to ensure that the fitness for
purpose of the machinery is checked before the machinery is first put into service can be transferred to
the user.

2.27 The intended use.

This information would be specific to the limits on the conditions of use taken into account in the
manufacturers risk assessment and in the design and constructions of the accessory.

For example you could specify limits on operating temperatures or use in acids or strong alkalis.

2.28 The limits of use (particularly for lifting accessories such as magnetic or vacuum pads
which do not fully comply with the requirement that holding devices be designed and
constructed in such a way that inadvertent dropping of loads is avoided).
This relates to accessories such as, for example, magnetic or pneumatic lifters, for which certain
requirements, such as the requirement for holding devices to be designed in such a way that inadvertent
dropping of loads is avoided, cannot always be fully satisfied. The manufacturer must specify these
cases and inform the user that the load holding devices concerned must not be used above areas where
people are liable to be present.

2.29 Instructions for assembly, use and maintenance.

This section must specify the particulars crucial to use and associated with fitting the accessory to the
lifting appliance and or the load. For example it may state the size of the hook to which a master link of
a sling should be used with or the maximum diameter that can be fitted to end terminations.

The instructions for putting into service shall indicate all of the necessary checks or inspections that
need to be carried out to ensure the equipment is in good working condition before first use.

This section must also indicate whether specific training is required to use the equipment correctly. The
manufacturer is not expected to provide a full training program or training manual in the instructions.
However the instructions may indicate important aspects to be covered by the operator training in order
to help employers fulfil their obligations to provide appropriate training to operators.

2.30 The static test coefficient used.

This refers to the measures taken by the manufacturer to check the fitness for purpose of the lifting
machinery.

It refers to the static tests that are required for the lifting accessory. The relevant test reports must be
included in the instructions. This is done to provide the user with the proof that the necessary test have
been done.

3.0 Further guidance.

The proceeding information outlines the minimum information required by the Supply of Machinery
(Safety) Regulations 2008 for general purpose lifting equipment. The author of the instructions would
be wise to consult the relevant harmonised standard for their specific product for further guidance.

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