Burnham on Sea Motor Boat and Sailing Club 

Craning in and out safety policy. 

1. The management committee will appoint a crane operation manager, in the case of a club organised events this will normally be the Vice Commodore. In the case of non club organised crane in/out events, this would normally be the hirer of the crane. The manager will have overall responsibility for the crane in/out operations.
2. All members share responsibility for all aspects of safety.
3. As soon as the cranes are on site, all persons will operate within the guidelines of this health and safety policy, the crane operations manager, crane drivers and the banksmen. Only the nominated banks-men will direct the crane driver.
4. Only nominated teams, appointed by the management committee, may work in the lifting area. Team members must wear hard hats and reflective jackets when working in the lifting/operations area and lifejackets when on or near the water.

The nominated teams are:

a)      Ferry teams – taking crews to boats.

b)      Pontoon teams – readying boats for lifting.

c)      Crane teams – assisting crane crew, when directed: handling ropes and controlling movement on the hard standing (minimum one banksman).

d)      Tractor teams – moving trailers as required.

e)      Compound team – controlling movement in the compound and acting as marshals.

f)        Safety team – where members of the public are present or likely to be present marshals will appointed to guard the working area and prevent access whilst lifting is in progress.

5. When a boat is due to be lifted, its owner or delegated member will be issued with a hard hat and reflective jacket; becoming a temporary member of the relevant team with responsibility for stropping that boat.
6. No person will go under a boat being lifted or be carried in a boat being lifted.
7. Member will assist a nominated team only if asked to by the team leader.
8. The owner of the boats being lifted must ensure that their trailer is: fit for purpose and in good condition (including tyres and hitches etc) and clearly marked with the relevant boats name and membership number.
9. All boats must have strops and control lines fitted. The strop position should be clearly marked (chalk, tape, paint).  All items on deck to be stowed below or securely fastened.
10. All must be securely attached to their trailers and cradles when being moved or lifted.
11. All members must obey instructions from the crane driver, banks-man, club safety officer and nominated team members.
12. No one should distract the nominated teams except on safety issues.
13. All persons not involved may observe from the club house.
14. All members involved with the crane in/out operation will attend the pre-crane safety briefing prior to the crane in/out event. This event to be lead by the crane operations manger.  

(Revised 8/10/07 - S.S. Safety Officer)