The Swedish Work Environment Authority has been charged with ensuring that workplaces in Sweden adhere to the regulations set out by the occupational health and safety legislation (EU-OSHA, Sweden, 2016). Some construction sites today require the use of heavy lifting equipment to lift loads that exceed several tons. There are regulations in place that govern the use of such equipment. Proper certification is one of the requirements articulated in these regulations. There are two types of certifications required for lifting equipment. One of the certifications deals with the capacity of the equipment while the other is concerned with proper maintenance. The latter is a continuous certification as equipment has to be periodically inspected to ensure that it is in proper working order. Mentioned below are the reasons why businesses should opt for certified heavy lifting supply.
Legislation
One of the main reasons businesses should use certified lifting equipment is because it is legally required. The Swedish Work Environment Authority governs the use of such equipment and dictates the certification requirements. Making use of equipment that is not certified can lead to fines and penalties. These rules would apply to any equipment that is used to raise and lower loads. They would also cover any attachments that are used to anchor, fix or support the load.
Safety
Certified equipment is safer to use as it has been checked for damage and malfunctions. Regular inspections help ensure that the equipment is in proper working order and safe to operate. Businesses can operate with a certain peace of mind that the workers on their site will be safe. Certification documents also make recommendations for proper use of the equipment.
Responsibility
Making use of certified equipment demonstrates responsibility on the part of the business. It indicates to share holders and investors that the company has done its due diligence. This can help improve investor’s faith in the business and have a positive impact on share prices in the long run.
Reduced Liability
Since qualified engineers certify that the equipment is structurally sound in proper operational order it reduces the liability a business will have to take on. The liability will be limited to incidents that occur due to misuse of equipment.
Cost Saving
Regular tune-ups reduce the need for costly repairs and maintenance of equipment. In the long run businesses will actually reduce their costs. Proper certification can also help businesses avoid expensive lawsuits. Because of all of these reasons it is important for businesses to be vigilant about the certification of their heavy lifting equipment. One company that provides quality-lifting equipment for construction projects is ByggingUddemann. More information is available on their website.
“The above opinions are purely a reflection of the author’s point of view. They do not reflect the position of ByggingUddemann.”