HOT TUB HAZARDS AND LIFTING OPERATIONS

All lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. Lifting equipment and accessories such as slings must be of adequate strength, tested and subject to the required examinations and inspections. Persons involved either supervising, operating equipment, slinging loads and directing lifting operations, must be trained and competent.

While the principles of safe lifting are well known to those in the industry the lifting of hot tubs and similar pools involves certain specific factors which may not be as well understood. Examples include the weight of covers and trapped residual water in pipework which can significantly increase the weights involved.

Following a number of incidents the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA), Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers (ALLMI), the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA) have worked together to produce guidance on the safe lifting of hot tubs.

Crane Interest Group Technical Information Note CIG TIN 019 Safe lifting of hot tubs  is free to download from the CPS’s website at: https://www.cpa.uk.net/crane-interest-group-publications-guidance/ (note this is shown as TIN 109 in the list of technical information notes).

The provides guidance on planning, types of hire contract, slinging and handling of hot tubs and is intended for lifts involving use of mobile cranes and lorry loader cranes.

Please speak to your normal PIB Risk Management contact or get in touch using [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like assistance with the safe management of lifting operations.