杰夫.荷顿（英）：吊装设备工程师协会（LEEA）CEO

Geoff Holden, chief executive, Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA)

正如我们在上一期《索具世界》中强调的，大多数与起重吊装作业相关的安全事故追究到最后都存在着人员操作的失误，而通常犯这些关键错误的操作工人实际上都没有接受相关的培训或掌握这方面作业的经验。因为事关重大，所以你很难理解为什么有的雇主会把吊装作业任务委派给没有必要操作技能的人员来完成。其中一种解释也许可以说得通，因为高空起重吊装作业自古即有之且太普遍了，所以容易操作也是理所当然的。而且，作业要用到的设备大部分我们都很熟悉，看上去似乎也很容易操作。因此，和其他行业的作业任务相比，人们对这其中的一些安全风险明显认识不足。使这一问题变得更加糟糕的是，有些雇主明明知道这需要雇佣具备专业能力的工作人员来完成，但在组织人员培训方面的贯彻力度有时却是比较差的。

As highlighted in the LEEA article in the last issue of LRW magazine, most lifting accidents can be traced back to human error. Often these mistakes are made by workers with virtually no relevant training or experience. Given that the consequences can be so serious, it is hard to understand why employers would entrust lifting operations to staff so obviously lacking in the necessary skills. One explanation is that, because overhead lifting is such a long-established and commonplace activity, it is too easy to take for granted. Most of the equipment involved is very familiar and appears easy to operate. Furthermore, compared to some other industrial activities, there is often a lack of appreciation of the potential risks involved. To compound these problems, even employers that do understand the need to use competent staff can sometimes struggle to implement genuinely effective training programmes.

研究高空起重吊装作业涉及的培训工作具体有哪些要求时，我们首先要清楚此作业任务明显包含了四个职能部分：计划、监管、操作和吊装设备的测试和全面检验。尽管很多情况下同一个人可能会身兼若干个工作角色，但是我们仍要明白的是，不同的工作职能有着不同的系统要求，这必须在一开始确定工作人选时就明确，并且组织培训的工作也要坚决执行。

When considering the training requirements for overhead lifting, the starting point should be a clear recognition that four distinct job functions are involved: planning; supervision; operation; and the test and thorough examination of lifting equipment. Although in many cases the same person will take on more than one of these roles, it is vital to understand that each has a different set of requirements. This must be reflected in the initial selection of suitable candidates, and the content of the training programmes they undertake.

举例来说，如果接受培训的人员负责的具体工作是制定起重吊装作业的计划，那么组织培训工作所要达到的目的是让被培训者掌握好识别风险、评估风险和控制风险的能力。监管人员必须依照风险的大小履行好作业监督的职责。但是，即使在安全风险很低的日常性作业中，监管人员也需要确保操作者的专业技能水平状况是受控的，需要时应通过再培训以提高其技能水平并胜任工作要求。吊装设备的操作者需要经过正确使用设备和辨别设备标识方面的培训，其接受的培训内容还应包括设备每天检查的工作程序和起吊作业前的检查，如负荷与角度的预判、问题的反馈报告以及负荷物结索的正确方法。吊装设备的正确存放方式也是培训工作要解决的问题，遇有疑问时向专业人员咨询是很重要的。

For example, training for staff responsible for planning lifting operations will need to address issues such as the identification of hazards, assessment of associated risks, and methods of controlling them. Supervisors must exercise a level of supervision appropriate to the risk. However, even for low risk, routine operations, they need to ensure that the competence of operators is monitored and requirements for any additional or refresher training are identified. Lifting equipment operators will obviously need to be trained in the correct use of equipment and in identifying and understanding equipment markings. Their training should also cover daily equipment check procedures, pre-lift checks such as load and angle estimation, reporting defects, and the correct methods of attaching loads. Appropriate storage of lifting equipment should also be addressed, along with the importance of seeking advice in case of doubt.

吊装设备的测试和全面检验是一项高要求的工作任务，这不同于操作者和监管者日常所进行的例行检查。这既要求掌握一定的设备相关的理论知识，又要求具备理论结合实际操作的能力。近几十年以来，LEEA组织建立的专业资格培训与考核管理体系受到了全世界众多吊装设备检验工程师的认可，被认为是这一行业的权威执业资格认证系统。为帮助我们的工程师通过资格考核，LEEA提供了一整套完善的远程学习和实务操作培训课程。作为真正意义上的国际通用资质证明，每年都有数百名吊装行业的工程师在世界各地的考试中心参加我们的资格考核计划。

The test and thorough examination of lifting equipment is a demanding task, distinct from the routine checks that should be performed regularly by operators and/or supervisors. It requires a combination of theoretical knowledge of the equipment involved, and the ability to put that knowledge into practice. For several decades, the LEEA’s Diploma has been recognised around the world as the leading qualification for engineers undertaking test and thorough examination of lifting equipment. And to prepare engineers for the Diploma examination, the LEEA offers a range of distance learning and practical training courses. A truly international qualification, the Diploma examination is taken by hundreds of engineers every year, at exam centres worldwide.

对于工作涉及高空起重吊装作业计划、监管和执行的人员来说，虽然一般能够向其提供商业性培训服务的机会有很多，但是这些服务课程的质量却参差不齐。评估其对于雇员技能提高的作用时，有两个问题是比较关键的。第一个是培训讲师的水平，其能力与经验必须结合好的激励和沟通技巧。第二个则是需要有有效的评价手段，包括笔试测验和实际操作测试。只有以上两种考核评价要求都达到时，接受培训的人员才能获得吊装作业计划、执行和/或监管方面具体工作的权限授权。

For those involved in planning, supervising and performing overhead lifting operations, there is generally no shortage of commercial training provision. However, the effectiveness of these courses can vary widely. When assessing their ability to make a real impact on employee skills, two particular issues are critical. The first is the quality of the instructor. Competence and experience must be combined with good motivational and communication skills. The second is the need for effective appraisal, which may include both written and practical tests. Only when both have been successfully completed should trainees be given specific authorisation to plan, perform and/or supervise lifting operations.

认识到需要帮助雇主明确哪些是针对吊装设备终端用户的高质量培训服务，LEEA于2009年推出了一项认证培训公司计划。在此项目下，符合LEEA第三方认证标准体系要求的会员公司可以在许可范围内提供涉及如吊装结索和吊装设备检验这些科目的职业培训课程服务。课程专业性的认证过程由LEEA的技术官员团队小组来实施，过程中的审核对很多方面包括培训师的资历和经验、培训设施的硬件标准和被培训者的培训评估体系质量等的要求标准都非常高。

Recognising the need to help employers identify good quality training for end users of lifting equipment, the LEEA launched an Accredited Training Company scheme in 2009. Under this programme, member companies that meet the LEEA’s independently verified set of standards can offer an approved range of professionally designed courses covering subjects such as lifting and slinging and lifting equipment inspection. The accreditation process is undertaken by the LEEA’s own team of technical officers, and sets demanding criteria in areas including the qualifications and experience of trainers, the standard of training facilities, and the quality of trainee assessment.

和很多不同的工程学科一样，起重吊装行业近年来也面临着兼有技能与经验的专业人员数量严重短缺的问题。但是，这虽然是一种挑战，但不能成为雇主向没有经过充分培训的员工委派起重吊装作业的托词。同样，任何培训项目的内容都不能只限于简单地在应试题目上勾勾选选，必须对被培训者实践操作技能的提高起到实质的促进作用。我们必须承认，起重吊装作业相关的每一个方面所涉及到的工作都有着很高的专业性，必须由真正有专业能力的人来完成。我们以往的经验能够说明，更为安全的工作环境不仅仅是要求严格按照管理规定行事，更重要的是在提倡一种文化氛围，一种能够使员工获得充分的自主权利并且毫无顾虑地向其直属上级管理人员反映工作问题的氛围。在此工作氛围之中，保障安全成为了全体员工共同的工作目标，而不是单纯自上而下强制要求执行的一套工作流程。这不仅仅是为了达到很高的安全标准要求，更是为了实现更高的工业安全生产效率与效益，只凭运气的投机心态是不可取的。

In common with a number of engineering disciplines, over recent years the lifting industry has faced significant shortages of skilled and experienced staff. However, whilst this no doubt poses challenges, it is not an excuse for employers to entrust lifting operations to inadequately trained personnel. Equally, any training programmes that are undertaken should be more than box-ticking exercises. They must have the rigour necessary to make a real impact. Every aspect of overhead lifting needs to be acknowledged as a specialist task, undertaken only by genuinely competent staff. Ultimately, though, this is only part of the story. Experience suggests that the safest working environments not only respect these rules, they also promote a wider culture in which staff are empowered, and feel free to report problems and raise concerns with their managers, without fear of repercussions. In these workplaces, safety becomes a common objective, shared by the whole team, rather than a set of procedures imposed from the top down. As well as securing high safety standards, it is probably no coincidence that this type of approach typically delivers impressive levels of productivity and efficiency as well.