Leenz Feature Article November 2011

1. Executive committee member, Gifford Linder
Lifting says “the unit standards offer a recognised
qualification, rather than the loose definition
organisation sets of a competent person – testing and
inspection personnel are judged against an
new standards industry benchmark.”
The new unit standards mean employees in
Emma Jeffery testing are trained and certified with a
nationally recognised qualification. Some
Lifting organisation, LEENZ, has areas of testing, especially mobile testing,
have a relatively high staff turnover and the
written and implemented three introduction of a qualified programme gives
NZQA unit standards covering the employees a path to work towards with
tertiary recognition on completion. Overall
testing and inspection of lifting and this will give customers access to skilled
rigging equipment. specialists, as well as consistent testing and
personnel.
LEENZ development of the unit standards was
prompted due to a lack of consistency “Having a high staff turnover in these areas is
between different companies and the costly and time consuming; a qualification like
standards they applied when testing customer this also gives companies assurance that each
equipment. module is covered with each individual
adequately” Linder says. LEENZ recognises the
LEENZ, in conjunction with the New Zealand hard work individual companies have put into
Qualifications Authority (NZQA), has developing their own internal training
registered the following Unit Standards programs and believes the unit standards
covering both inspection and proof testing of compliment these programs and formally
lifting equipment: completes the learning process.
 23448 Carry out safety checks of
lifting equipment and record
information “The unit standards offer a
recognised qualification, rather than
 23449 Proof loading of lifting the loose definition of a competent
equipment
person – testing and inspection
 23450 Inspect and proof load chain personnel are judged against an
blocks, lever hoists, and wire rope industry benchmark”
pulling devices
The units are based on recognised European, Lifting Equipment Engineers New Zealand
British and Australian standards for chain Incorporated (LEENZ) was formed in 1992 to
slings, wire ropes, chain blocks, synthetic adopt a common range of Standards for the
slings and other lifting and rigging equipment. New Zealand Industry and to promote the
Candidates for the unit standards are anyone safe use of lifting equipment. LEENZ and its
involved in supplying and testing of lifting members are dedicated to ensure consumers
equipment, namely riggers and testing are supplied with quality certified products
personnel. along with providing consistent lifting
equipment testing and inspection services of
the highest level. LEENZ members offer a

2. complete service of periodic examination,
testing, repair, re-certification and general
servicing.
LEENZ strength derives from the accumulated
expertise of its members who collectively
have many years’ experience within the lifting
equipment Industry. Executive committee
members of LEENZ meet and communicate on
a regular basis to provide members of the
organisation and the public with up to date
industry information.
Chairman of LEENZ, Mark Aldridge encourages
LEENZ Members and the public to make use
of the organisations expertise “Companies
and individuals can make contact with LEENZ
for advice and solutions relating to lifting and
rigging products or complex lifting
applications”.
Current members of LEENZ include the
Department of Labour (formally OSH),
manufacturers, importers, suppliers and end
users of lifting equipment throughout New
Zealand and Australia.
Man inspecting hook, Photo by Ruslan Olinchuk, October 2010
LEENZ has developed a number of resources
“Companies and individuals can for the industry including Working Load
make contact with LEENZ for advice Charts and the LEENZ Lifting Code of Practice.
and solutions relating to lifting and The organisation has also worked in
rigging products or complex lifting conjunction with the Department of Labour to
assist in the re-writing of the Lifting and
applications”. Rigging Code of Practice.
Anyone requiring more information on
LEENZ is a long-time associate member of the Unit Standards, enrolment or LEENZ
LEEA 'Lifting Equipment Engineers Association' memberships and resources can contact
and has at its disposal full resources of this the Executive Committee by emailing
United Kingdom based organisation. L.E.E.A is
secretary@leenz.org.
spread throughout the world including the
United States, Canada, Germany, France, the
Middle East, Asia and the African Continent.
This allows LEENZ to provide up to date
information on industry changes and
innovations on an international scale to its
members.