The benefits of QR codes for lifting equipment

Smarter tagging of lifting equipment promises not only to solve many of the inherent challenges of ownership, but also to bring new gains to owners and users.  

Are your user manuals and other documentation for work equipment only partially digitized? Is it practically challenging for those who need to use the equipment to access information about its condition, proper usage or inspection history? Do you waste valuable time searching for this documentation?

These are common challenges faced by owners and users of equipment lifting equipment. In addition, equipment owners are held legally accountable for the accessibility of equipment documentation and have ultimate responsibility for safety in the workplace. In this article, we’ll explore how these challenges and requirements can be effectively managed through smarter equipment labeling.

The challenges you might face related to owning lifting equipment can be divided into three main groups:

• Lack of documentation and control  
• Safety and compliance issues  
• Operational inefficiencies and legal concerns
  
  

This article will take a closer look at each group of challenges, before presenting the solutions that effective labelling and digital processes can offer to address them. But first, it's important to remind ourselves of the common regulations that apply to equipment management.

What the law requires  

Across geographies, there’s a universal basic requirement for equipment labelling: equipment used for lifting is to be clearly marked with its maximum working load. If applicable, it should also have a nameplate indicating the maximum working load for each lifting position.

In addition to the labeling requirements for safe use, the people operating the equipment must have access to user manuals that contain information on the safe use of the equipment.  

It’s crucial that everyone using lifting and load-securing equipment knows how to check and maintain the gear. This enhances safety for both the operator and other people in the vicinity.

Lack of documentation and control

Effective management of lifting equipment is reliant on meticulous documentation and rigorous control. If documentation and control are lacking there can be significant impacts on safety and operations. 

• Reporting faults and deficiencies: Without established procedures for timely reporting of faults and deficiencies, businesses may find processes to be complicated, lengthy and ineffective. This jeopardizes safety as faults risk going unreported or incorrectly reported. Poor reporting can result in increased risks onsite and ultimately lead to potential accidents.
• Difficulty in accessing documentation: A reliance on physical paperwork or the absence of digital links between equipment and its documentation can make it a huge task to locate the necessary information. This can impede quick decision-making, correct use and preventive maintenance – all of which are of the highest important for safe equipment operation.
• Maintenance between inspections: Lifting equipment must be regularly maintained, even between scheduled inspections. These checks must be thoroughly documented to ensure safety. Without a systematic approach, crucial maintenance might be overlooked.
• Compliance with legal requirements: Equipment users must adhere to the legal standards of their relevant geographies, such as LOLER, and these often stipulate precise procedures and accessible information. When the required information is not easily accessible, it becomes challenging to ensure compliance and increases the risk of legal repercussions.
• Bureaucracy: Unnecessary bureaucracy can stifle operational efficiency. When users cannot swiftly access required documentation, it shifts the burden onto managers who must dedicate more time to follow-up, diverting their focus from other critical tasks.
• Production interruptions: Uncertain equipment statuses often translate into longer production interruptions. This happens as valuable time is consumed searching for documentation before equipment can be safely used.
• Excessive equipment purchases: The lack of control over existing equipment assets leads to inefficiencies in resource allocation. To maintain production, more equipment than necessary may be purchased, resulting in financial strain.

In light of these challenges, utilizing modern solutions such as lifting equipment tagging, asset tagging, and QR codes for lifting equipment can streamline documentation and control processes. These technologies empower businesses to enhance safety, regulatory compliance, and overall efficiency in their lifting equipment management practices.

Safety and compliance issues

Ensuring safety and compliance is paramount. Multiple factors and pitfalls must be regularly considered when working to adhere to regulations and safety standards.

• Inadequate training: Inadequate training and knowledge among equipment users pose severe risks. Without a deep understanding of safe equipment usage, accidents, and safety hazards are more likely to occur.
• Tracking maintenance: Difficulty in tracking and scheduling regular maintenance can lead to equipment breakdowns or failures. Neglecting maintenance schedules jeopardizes both safety and equipment reliability.
• Record-keeping: Compliance is complicated by inconsistent record-keeping practices for equipment inspections. Accurate records are essential for demonstrating adherence to legal requirements.
• Lack of visibility: Without visibility over equipment condition and performance, planning for replacements or upgrades becomes a shot in the dark. Ensuring safety and efficiency hinges on knowing when equipment needs attention.
• Equipment calibration: Ensuring that lifting equipment is correctly calibrated and certified for safe operation is essential. Calibration issues can lead to accidents and safety breaches.
• Communication: Effective communication between different departments or teams responsible for equipment maintenance is a must. Poor communication can result in mismanagement and missed opportunities to reduce risks.

The significance of safety and compliance in lifting equipment usage cannot be overstated. Failing to address these pain points can result in severe consequences, including accidents, injuries, fines, and legal penalties.

Effective labeling of equipment is a key first step to getting control over safety and compliance. QR codes, RFID systems, and compliance-focused solutions help mitigate these risks with vastly improved oversight and the potential for digitalisation of processes. 

Read more about Health and Safety for Equipment Owners: Do you Have it Covered?

Operational inefficiencies and legal concerns

If a company fails to document equipment effectively for safety and compliance, there is a potential for legal implications that impact its bottom line and reputation. These pain points further underscore the importance of addressing operational inefficiencies.

• Reporting safety incidents: Inefficient processes for reporting and addressing safety incidents or near-misses related to lifting equipment can result in delays in addressing safety concerns. Timely reporting and resolution are critical for maintaining a safe working environment and meeting legal requirements.
• Inventory management: Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all your lifting equipment assets, including their location and usage history, can be challenging. Inaccurate inventory management can lead to operational inefficiencies and delays in equipment retrieval.
• Insurance costs and liabilities: Increased insurance costs and liabilities arise from inadequate safety measures and documentation for lifting equipment. Non-compliance with safety regulations can result in higher insurance premiums and financial burdens.
• Legal actions and penalties: Legal actions, fines, or penalties are severe consequences of accidents or non-compliance with safety regulations. These legal concerns can harm your company's reputation and financial stability.

Addressing these pain points is crucial for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and avoiding legal complications. Implementing robust asset management tracking systems and maintaining accurate lifting equipment documents are key steps toward mitigating these challenges. By proactively managing operational inefficiencies and ensuring compliance, companies can enhance safety while protecting their reputations and financial well-being.

Solving the Pains With QR Codes

QR codes are an innovative solution for effective lifting equipment management. These codes can be attached to work equipment to streamline various processes. They offer a simple and efficient way to access critical information about each piece of equipment, for example by using the Onix Work platform. 

Read more about 10 Ways a Digital Solution Makes Owning Work Equipment Easier  

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can store a wealth of information. When scanned using a smartphone (or dedicated QR code reader), they provide instant access to relevant data. For lifting equipment, QR codes can hold details such as inspection records, maintenance schedules, and user manuals.

Compared to traditional methods, QR codes offer several advantages. They: 

• Eliminate the need for manual record-keeping
• Reduce the chances of human errors in data, reports and use.
• Are easily scannable for all with mobile devices
• Make information retrieval quick and hassle-free.
• Allow for real-time updates
• Ensure access to the most recent information. 

Try it Yourself:

Read more about Onix Tags here.

Benefits of QR Code Implementation

Implementing QR codes in equipment management brings numerous benefits. Firstly, it simplifies equipment identification and tracking. With a quick scan, users can access detailed information about the equipment's history and usage.

Check out this video to explore the benefits 👇

• QR codes streamline processes by reducing the time spent searching for documentation and maintaining records. This leads to improved efficiency in equipment maintenance, inspections, and overall management. Equipment users and inspectors can access information on their mobile devices, eliminating the need for manual paperwork.
• QR codes play a pivotal role in safety improvement and compliance. They help ensure that equipment is regularly inspected, maintained, and used safely. By providing instant access to safety guidelines and maintenance records, QR codes contribute to a safer work environment and reduce the risk of accidents.
• QR codes, in conjunction with equipment compliance management systems (ECMS) such as Onix Work, provide a complete solution to address the pain points of equipment management. Their implementation not only simplifies operations but also enhances safety and compliance for workers and equipment owners alike. 

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