Appendix 1 - Implementation of inspections of transfer cars
1.
Assignment of a responsible transfer car operator
Before starting the operation of a transfer car the user/owner has to assign a responsible operator. This is especially necessary for automatic systems in order to ensure that the inspections are properly carried out.
2.
Visual inspection and function check
Personnel starting up the transfer cars, must satisfy themselves of the safe condition of the transfer car on each work day prior to starting work, and especially subject the safety devices, such as contact bars, bumpers and laser scanners, to a visual inspection and function check. Prior to putting the transfer cars into operation any faults possibly occurring have to be eliminated.
3.
Inspection by competent qualified persons
3.1
Safety relevant components at transfer cars
A competent person must check all safety relevant parts of the protection system on the transfer car prior to its first start up. Following this, this check has to be carried out at regular intervals. Regular inspections should be carried out at least every 6 months.
Competent persons are those whose vocational education, professional experience and timely vocational activities qualify them to check the transfer cars and their periphery.
Regarding the risk assessment please refer to → see § 3 Ordinance on industrial safety and health.
During the inspection especially the stopping distance has to be determined and recorded under worst boundary conditions at maximum speed and load of the transfer car. Furthermore, the scope of the inspection has to include a check of the reliability and the effectiveness of the brakes. It must be ensured that there is a solid connection between coating and steel core of coated wheels preventing a slipping that would reduce the braking effect. Therefore, this solid connection between coating and steel core has to be checked. Bumpers and contact bars have to be checked concerning mechanical damages. A visual and a functional test have to be made. The results of the aforementioned criteria have to be documented in an inspection book.
3.2
Transfer car with laser scanners
The setting and adjustment of the warning and protective field of the laser scanners may only be done by a competent qualified person. It should be checked at least every six months.
In accordance with the manufacturer‘s manuals especially the stopping distance of the transfer car with maximum load and the position and effectiveness of the protective field have to be checked. For checking the adjustment a cylindrical matt black test body is used, as shown in picture 9 of this information. Upon detection of defects or faults the transfer car may only be put in operation after remedy of the faults and a repeated check. The result of the safety inspection has to be documented in an inspection book.