Lifting equipment technician

The types, applications and unique characteristics of lifting equipment, including static and manually operated equipment, derivatives and the associated technology and the characteristics and physical mechanical properties of materials used in the manufacturing of lifting equipment

Diagnostic and assessment principles required to maintain, repair and modify the mechanical aspects of lifting equipment to meet manufacturer specifications

Current legislation and Standards for lifting equipment, components, tools and equipment

Legislation and required compliance within the lifting equipment industry, including lifting equipment regulations (for example Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), Machinery Directive, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Working at Height, Confined space working, manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards.

Workshop and onsite operations which may include ordering, stock control and correct use of documentation such as order forms, repair forms, quarantine forms and reports of thorough examination

Types of customer interaction and customer service techniques including when to contact the customer, the tone that should be adopted, how to time and follow up communication – both verbally and in writing, and how to adjust the approach to take account of customers’/clients’ needs

Commercial practices, products and services

How to ensure the safety of self, colleagues and anyone in the working area (risk/hazard identification); manual handling, correct selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Risk Assessment and Method Statements.

Safe disposal and recycling of associated waste (including waste oils, cleaning fluids, batteries, tyres, etc.). Environmental policies.

The rights and responsibilities of an employee and employer, including the importance of respecting people from diverse backgrounds and treating people fairly

Assessment of equipment for continued safe use, such as how to identify the repair required, component compatibility, time and materials required to fix

Knowledge of manufacturer specifications and industry working practices - understanding pre-use checks, storage of equipment, when and where to use them, assembly, maintenance and safe use instructions, knowing the importance of following manufacturers' specifications and organisations' procedures when making repairs and installing lifting equipment

Principles of handling hazardous equipment, materials and substances, their safe handling, preservation, storage & shipping of damaged items, emergency procedures, knowing when to ask for third party advice and guidance

Standard operating functions of lifting equipment in normal use

Pass or fail inspection criteria for equipment when failed or is not fit for purpose, such as identification of common defects and parts that regularly break or go missing and need to be replaced, including chain wear features, missing or broken latches in hooks

Operation of manual or IT applications used in the workshop and on-site environment, such as excel, search engines and company reporting systems

Scheduling and project management techniques; planning and the importance of meeting project deadlines (how to manage oneself to meet company targets)

Causes of defects and maintenance issues and problem solving. How to identify likely causes of damage, for example. manufacturing fault, wear, misuse or overloading

How to prepare a complete report according to legislative requirements and who to contact about defects and how to address them, including when to notify statutory bodies

How to calculate in use operational safe working loads considering working conditions, method of use for the equipment and operating environment, such as how to work out a percentage, mode factors, uniform load method, trigonometric method calculations, algebra and Pythagoras theorem, Units of measure, including imperial and metric systems and how to convert them

Manufacturing techniques and resulting impact on safe and correct operational use of equipment

Heat treatment, principles and processes - including critical ranges and the implications of not achieving correct temperature ranges

Stress and strain and their impact on material behaviour

Verification methods and how and when to use them. This includes destructive and non-destructive testing, which could be visual examination, operational / functional testing, load testing, proof load testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), dye penetrant, bend testing, Eddy current testing, X-ray testing, ultrasound testing, Izod testing and Charpy testing

Marking requirements and techniques

How to use measuring equipment and calibrated tools including digital verniers, torqueing tools, dial gauges, load cells, compression tools and micrometers

Use knowledge, experience and judgement to undertake inspections/examinations in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and guidelines and industry standards

Estimate time required to complete a task

Identify components that require repair, replacement or discard and diagnose faults

Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and industry standards

Assemble, dismantle and reassemble new and used lifting equipment

Complete routine maintenance on items of lifting equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, guidelines and industry standards

Manufacture/assemble steel wire rope sling in accordance with the applicable and current EN, BS, or ISO manufacturing standards (or other standard specified by the client) and techniques or specifications

Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions/guidance and industry standard

Read and interpret technical drawings, schematic parts diagrams, load charts and technical specifications

Research information using hard copy and digital formats, e.g. referring to LOLER, manufacturers specifications, standards

Log and record work activities and prepare reports, such as a Report of Thorough Examination, Examination Defect Report, timesheets

Identify and use tools and measuring devices required for a task, for example verniers, load cells, tape measure, steel rule

Maintain a clean, tidy and safe working area

Apply company quality control measures

Apply knowledge of lifting equipment to appropriately guide customers in the selection of lifting equipment for the task

Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures as required (such as Health and Safety at Work Act, Working at Height, Risk Assessment and Method Statements)

Apply safe manual handling techniques

Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing

Identify and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Develop safe systems of work, including risk assessments and method statements, Specifying manpower required, Specifying qualifications, training and experience requirements, Identifying safe methods of access and transportation, Identifying correct PPE for the task, Specifying work location and environment, plant, machinery, tools and equipment, Identifying the applicable statutory and customer safety standards that must be complied with

Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply control measures

Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy

Control and manage spills

Perform different types of tests to verify lifting equipment, eg light load test, proof load, function test

Use lifting equipment safely

Install lifting equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specification and industry working practices

Mark lifting equipment in accordance with industrial standards

Safety Conscious - Puts safety first. Always uses safety equipment and PPE and has customers’ safety in mind

Collaborative - For example, works well with others. supports other people (colleagues and/or clients), considers the implications of their actions on other people and the business, listens to others and has a positive and respectful attitude

Professional Values - Behaves in a manner that aligns with the company ethos, including prompt timekeeping, smart presentation of self and working area, acts as a responsible ambassador for the business, by working efficiently, treating all clients, employees and co-workers respectfully and meeting customer and employer expectations

Honesty and Integrity - Acts with integrity, giving honest and accurate guidance to customers

Results Driven - Completes tasks in accordance with the specific job requirements , within the agreed timescale, demonstrating acceptable workmanship and completing the required documentation correctly.

Quality Focus – Shows attention to detail and uses a logical approach to problem solving. Seeks opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency. Stays motivated and committed when facing challenges

Continuous Personal Development - Receptive to constructive feedback from peers and management and proactive in giving feedback to others. Reflects on own knowledge, skills and behaviours and seeks opportunities to develop

Assertive and Confident - Is confident and communicates with conviction

Self-Motivation - Takes responsibility for completion of own work

Adaptability - Able to adjust to changes to work instructions and tasks