Engineering Inspection Cover – Are You Compliant?
If you operate plant, lifting, or pressurised equipment, it’s essential to know that they need to be periodically inspected under current Irish regulations. Failure to comply may result in regulatory action or even criminal prosecution. Fortunately, MBC Insurance can help you with your insurance needs, including engineering inspection coverage.
Engineering inspections are crucial for ensuring the safety of plant and machinery. Depending on the industry and the types of equipment used, inspections can be relatively straightforward or highly complex. Here are some of the statutory requirements relating to the inspection of plant and the maximum intervals at which each should be inspected:
- Forklifts & Telehandlers: Thorough examination every 12 months
- Hoists or Lifts: Thorough examination every 6 months
- Vehicle Lifting Table: Thorough examination every 12 months
- Cranes/Lifting Machines: Thorough examination of all parts, including anchorages every 12 months. Lifting machines may not be used for the first time unless tested or if dismantled and re-erected. Except when used to lift people, then every 6 months.
- Lifting Tackle, Chains: Thorough examination every 6 months. May not be used for the first time unless tested.
- Steam Boilers: Steam boilers together with fittings and attachments require thorough examination every 14 months or after extensive repairs. Also, a further examination under normal steam pressure within 3 months of the thorough examination. New or second-hand boilers may not be used until certified.
- Steam Receivers: Thorough examination every 26 months. Second-hand steam receivers must be certified or examined before being used for the first time.
- Air Receivers: Similar to steam receivers.
Engineering inspection is the process of verifying that plant and machinery comply with statutory regulations to ensure the safety of people and equipment. MBC Insurance can help you obtain the necessary insurance coverage to protect your business and ensure compliance with regulations.
What is engineering inspection insurance?
To comply with health and safety law, businesses need to have their plant, machinery and other equipment inspected regularly.
What type of equipment requires engineering inspection cover?
Pressure:
Pressure items can require inspection/examination under the Pressure Regulations or General Application Regulations, depending on the type of fluid and/or the Pressure x Volume (bar/litres) value of the vessel.
All plant items containing steam require examination under the Pressure Regulations regardless of pressure.
Examples include: Air Receivers, Autoclaves, Blowdown Vessels, Bulk Storage Vessel, Café Boilers, Calorifiers, Hot Water Boilers, Jacket Reactor Vessel, Pressurisation Units, Refrigeration Plant, Air Conditioning Plant, Steam Boilers, Steam Vessels.
Lifting Equipment:
Lifting items are covered under various sections of the General Application Regulations and subsequent legislation. The examination frequency for an item depends on the type/use of that item. Examination frequencies are divided into six or twelve month cycles. Generally items that have interaction with the public are required every six months such as passenger lifts and escalators, and more commercial items such as cranes, Goods lifts etc every 12 months, but the regulations must be reviewed in relation to each item and your insurer can help with this.
Other machines which are not lifting machines but have a lifting function (for example manual pallet trucks, excavators etc.) also require inspection under the General Application Regulations with a twelve month frequency.
Examples Include: Crane, Dock Levellers, Escalators, Excavators & Lifting Shovels, Forklift Trucks, Goods Lifts, Lifting Appliances, Lifting Machines, Lorry Mounted Cranes, Mobile Cranes, Motor Vehicle Lifting Tables, Pallet Trucks, Passenger Lifts, Separate Lifting Accessories, Window Cleaning Equipment.
Electrical:
General electrical equipment requires examination/inspection under the General Application Regulation. The type of inspection/examination required and their frequency depends on the type and size of the plant. Portable Appliances may require specific testing also.
Examples Include: Alternator, Control Panels, Engines, Motors Pumps & Compressors, Fixed Wiring, Gearboxes, Generators.
Power Press:
Guard & Protective Devices, Guillotines, Injection Moulding Machines, Power Press, Press Breaks, Wood Working Machines
How often is inspection required?
The regulations change and you are advised to check the regulations but you can find a sample list here which was developed by Aviva Insurance or you can check with us and we will discuss with the insurer.
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