A quick guide to the EU Machinery Regulation
Understand the new EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 replacing Directive 2006/42/EC. Learn about safety requirements, risk assessment, documentation, and transition deadlines.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency that sets global labor standards. ILO Convention 152, officially titled the Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979, outlines international safety requirements for dock work. The convention has particular focus on lifting appliances and loose equipment such as shackles, slings, hooks, or other loose lifting equipment in ports. The convention has been ratified by 27 states, and if you operate across any of these then it will be important to you.
This quick guide summarizes the main requirements and shows how Onix Work helps you document, track, and comply.
Competent authority
A minister, government department, or other authority who issues regulations, orders, or other lawful instructions.
Competent person
A person with the knowledge and experience necessary for thorough examinations and tests of lifting appliances and loose gear and who is acceptable to the competent authority. Competent persons are usually certified inspectors and expert controllers.
Inspection
A visual inspection by a responsible person to decide whether the loose gear or sling is whole, undamaged, and safe for continued use.
Lifting appliance
All stationary or mobile appliances used on board ship for suspending, raising, or lowering loads or moving them from one position to another while suspended or supported.
Loose gear
Any gear used to attach a load to a lifting appliance that is not an integral part of either the appliance or load, such as slings, shackles, and chains.
Responsible person
A person appointed by the master of the ship or the equipment owner to be responsible for performing inspections. This person has sufficient knowledge and experience to undertake such inspections.
Rigging plan
A floor plan that illustrates the arrangement of lifting appliances in a physical space. Safe working load (SWL) The maximum load the lifting equipment can safely lift.
Thorough examination
A detailed examination by a competent person, to determine whether the lifting appliance or item of loose gear is safe to use.
/schakler.jpg?width=1125&height=675&name=schakler.jpg)
ILO 152 sets out detailed safety obligations for all loose lifting equipment used in dock work. These include:
Thorough testing before first use (Article 22): Every lifting appliance and item of loose equipment must be tested by a competent person before first use, and again after any substantial alteration or repair that could affect safety.
Periodic inspections and re-testing (Article 22 & 23): Lifting appliances that are part of a ship's equipment must be re-tested at least every five years. All other lifting appliances and loose equipment must be thoroughly examined and certified by a competent person at least once every 12 months.
Frequent in-use inspections (Article 24): Loose equipment must be inspected regularly before use by a responsible person. For pre-slung cargoes, inspections must happen as frequently as is reasonably practicable.
Marking and identification (implied across Articles 22–25): Each item must be clearly marked with a unique ID (e.g. serial number, tag) to ensure traceability between the item and its certification.
Valid certificates (Article 22 & 23): Following every test or examination, the equipment must be certified as having withstood the procedure. Certificates must include details such as SWL, inspector identity, test date, and results.
Recordkeeping (Article 25): A full record of all lifting appliances and loose equipment must be maintained. This includes SWL, test and examination dates, and corresponding certificates. Note: Daily/pre-use inspections only need to be recorded if a defect is found.
Rigging plans (Article 28): For derricks and derrick cranes, a rigging plan must be available showing guy-wire positions, forces, identification marks, and working ranges.
Loose equipment without proper inspection records or valid certification must not be used under any circumstances. loose equipment without proper inspection records or documentation must not be used.
ILO Convention 152 includes standardized forms for documenting inspections and tests:
With Onix Work, you don't need to fill out paper forms. Instead, all required information is stored digitally — and can be exported or shared in formats that match regulatory expectations. Whether your auditor asks for a Form 2-equivalent or a complete gear register (Form 4), you're ready.
With Onix Tags you can tag and track all loose equipment.Complying with ILO 152 means:
With manual systems, this can be difficult to achieve — papers get lost, certificates expire, and audits get stressful.
With Onix Work, you digitalize everything:
Whether you're a port operator, service company, or equipment owner, Onix Work helps you meet ILO 152 with confidence.
