Lifting device

German accident insurance rules distinguish three things. Load-bearing elements are a fixed part of the hoist – rope, chain, bottom block, load hook. Load lifting attachments are not part of the hoist and are connected to it to pick up the load – lifting beam, tongs, gripper, vacuum lifter, C-hook. Slings connect the hoist to the load or to the attachment – chain slings, wire rope slings, webbing slings, shackles.

European machinery law draws the line more broadly: its term “lifting accessory” also covers slings and their components.

A lifting accessory placed on the market separately is legally a product of its own under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and its successor, the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The manufacturer owes a risk assessment, an EU declaration of conformity, the CE marking and operating instructions. For non-fixed load lifting attachments, EN 13155 is the relevant product standard.

This also applies to in-house builds: anyone who makes a lifting beam or gripper for their own use takes on the manufacturer’s duties for that item.

The working load limit must be marked permanently and legibly, together with the manufacturer and the identification of the product. As a rule the dead weight is marked as well, because the operator has to add it to the load.

If the marking is missing or illegible, the attachment must not be used – nobody can then judge whether it is adequate for the load.

The hoist carries load and attachment together. A 60 kg lifting beam on a hoist rated at 250 kg leaves 190 kg for the part – and only if the beam itself is rated for that load. The weakest link in the chain of hoist, attachment and sling always governs.

Lifting accessories are work equipment. In Germany the operator defines the type, scope and intervals of inspection in the risk assessment; an inspection by a competent person at least once a year is customary. In the United Kingdom, LOLER requires thorough examination of lifting accessories at intervals set by the regulations or an examination scheme. A visual check by the operator before use comes on top.

Any change to a load-bearing part – a lengthened jaw, a relocated lifting point, a welded-on support – alters capacity and load path. It has to be assessed and documented before the attachment is used again.