56. Test and periodical examination of lifting appliances.- An employer shall ensure at construction site of a building or other construction work that,- (a) all lifting appliances including all parts and gears thereof, whether fixed or movable, are tested and examined by a competent person before being taken into use for the first time or after it has undergone any alterations or repairs liable to affect its strength or stability or after erection on a site and also once at least in every five years, in the manner specified in Schedule I annexed to these rules; (b) all lifting appliances are thoroughly examined by a competent person once at least in every twelve months and where the competent person making such examination forms the opinion that the lifting appliance cannot continue to function safely, he shall forthwith give notice in writing of his opinion to the owner of the lifting appliance. Explanation.- For the purpose of this rule, thorough examination means a visual examination, supplemented, if necessary, by other means such as hammer test, carried out as carefully as the conditions permit, in order to arrive at a reliable conclusion as to the safety of the parts examined; and, if necessary, for such examination, parts of the lifting appliance and gear, shall be dismantled. |
