Thanks for this Bob. Agreed on most points. I was simply trying to find out what others are doing. We have had a few accidents over the years that could have been avoided if the individuals involved had had a bit of common sense or instruction, the latter being easier to administer.
We met tonight and I think we have a pretty good handle on where we are going. No major deviations but some tightening up on who and how. Cheers Rich Knowles INDIGO LF38 Halifax, NS. On 2013-06-26, at 11:30 PM, Robert Abbott <robertabb...@eastlink.ca> wrote: Rich: Regarding the use of the spar and jib cranes at our club, I believe the existing practices and policies are working quite well. There is no 'official certification' or 'regulatory course' or 'spar/jib crane operator's card' regarding the use of these cranes imposed upon the club and its members by any govt entity .....nothing like a Small Pleasure Craft Operator's Card or driver's license. There is the 'certification of inspection' of the actual cranes under the Elevator and Lifts Act by the Department of Labor but it doesn't license and/or authorize who can use the cranes. Therefore, that's why the club has its own practices and policies.....we are self governing in this matter. First the spar crane, let assume there are approx. 250 'masts' at the club..... I estimate 60% to 70% are stepped/unstepped by 'contractors'. One contractor alone does approx. 100 yearly. These contractors appear to be very competent, but again, even they do not hold any 'official certification'. Then there are the masts serviced directly by 'owners' with their helpers. Many or most of these owners have been doing this for years and are just as competent/skilled as the contractors. This leaves the 'fringe group'....who are they and how many? Probably not a lot, if any, and probably do not have big masts. And if they do have big masts with no experience, they probably wouldn't even attempt to do the mast. As you know, if you don't know what you are doing, it can be quite intimidating. How many of these have the Waterfront Committee, or the yard staff, witnessed? It has been my experience, if the yard manager and staff observe the slightest area of concern when a 'crew' is servicing a mast, they intervene. The most common infraction I see is someone not wearing a 'hard hat' and when the yard staff observe it, they immediately intervene. Regarding the jib crane, again 'no official certification'....it's use is almost exclusively by boat owners. The 'yard staff' use it on a regular basis but they do not hold any 'official certification.' In my opinion, the majority of boats owners using the spar crane can do it better than the yard staff.....they do it on a regular basis....many weekly. Maybe the old saying comes into play here...."If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Maybe from a liability perspective, anyone using these cranes must sign a waiver.....club not responsible for members' use of cranes....make it an automatic part of club membership like buying a ski ticket.....this way, there is no extra administration involved for anyone. Bob Abbott AZURA C&C 32 - 84 Halifax, N.S. On 2013/06/26 12:39 PM, Knowles Rich wrote: > I'm on the Waterfront Committee at our yacht club and am reviewing the club's > policies relating to use of the spar and jib cranes. The spar crane's > capacity is 1,400# and the jib crane's 10,000#. The club permits members to > work on their own boats including re and re spars and launching and > retrieving boats that can be lifted by the jib crane. Many of the boats such > as J24's that fit within the jib crane's capacity are dry sailed. > > Our current practise is for members and know contractors to attend a briefing > course on both cranes at least once every two years before they be allowed to > use them. We have the usual cordoned off areas and hard hat rules. > > There are infrequent almost-accidents, occasional minor gear and boat damage > and an accompanying ongoing concern about safety. The one serious accident > that I can recall involved a member getting whacked in the head by an errant > mast. His hard head saved him, but he did have to wear a neck brace for some > time. He was fortunate. > > Your comments are welcome. > > Rich. > > Rich Knowles > INDIGO LF38 > Halifax, NS. > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com
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