Section 50: Chains, ropes and lifting tackles

50. Chains, ropes and lifting tackles (1) This section shall apply to every chain, rope or lifting tackle used for the purpose of raising, lowering or suspending persons, goods or materials. (2) No chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be used unless it is of substantial construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from any defect. (3) No chain, rope other than fibre rope and fibre rope slings, or lifting tackle shall be taken into use for the first time in any place of work unless it has been tested and examined by a competent person, and a report of such test and examination, specifying the safe working load and signed by the competent person is obtained and kept available for inspection. (4) Every chain, rope or lifting tackle in use shall be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once every 12 months. [Issue 1] O2 – 34 Revised Laws of Mauritius (5) No chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be used for raising, lowering or suspending any load exceeding the safe working load specified by the manufacturer, except by a competent person for testing purposes. (6) Every chain, rope or lifting tackle shall bear a distinguishing mark or number sufficient to identify it. (7) A register containing a record of the examination under subsection (4) shall be kept by the employer in respect of all such chains, ropes or lifting tackles.