Design, Testing and

Thorough Examination of
Fabricated Pad Eyes
1. INTRODUCTION:
This Procedure has been prepared to comply the essential safety and inspection
requirements as per the Harmonized standard, Machinery Directive, LOLER and Local
Regulation.

2. SCOPE:
This Procedure details the general requirements and thorough examination of Padeye.

3. TRAINING & KNOWLEDGE:

The Manager/Supervisor shall ensure that personnel performing this thorough
examination are proficient in these instructions. As a minimum, the individual
establishes proficiency by performing the process at least once. Using check lists or
reports, as on-the-job training under the supervision of someone certified in this
process.

Training for this process is defined as continuous monitoring of personnel involved in

thorough examination. A person is not to be certified until all the defined trainings has
taken place and the trainer is satisfied that the trainee can carry out the process
independently.

4. REFERENCES:

 BS EN ISO 10855-1:2018 – Design, Manufacture and Marking

of Offshore Containers
 ASME BTH-1: 2017 – Design of Below-the-Hook Lifting Device
 LOLER: 1998 – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations - Approved Code of Practice
 Local Lifting Regulation – Aramco Standard: SWIM 3
 LEEA Document Reference – LEEA 048: Guidance on the Design, Testing
and Inspection of Fabricated Pad Eyes

5. TERMS & DEFINITIONS

 Padeye: Steel constructed consist of one or more machined hole for handling the load with
the help of lifting equipment’s.
  Permanently installed fabricated Padeye: Padeye installed permanently to the steel
structure by full penetration welding to facilitate for specific lifting.
 Temporary installed fabricated Padeye: Padeye are installed temporarily to the steel
structure by fasteners to facilitate the required lifting.
 Working Load Limit (WLL): Maximum load in which the padeye is rated to sustain in
general lifting conditions.
 Safe Working Load (SWL): Maximum load in which the padeye is rated to sustain under
specific service conditions.
 Factor of Safety (F.O.S): Factor applied to the Padeye for its working coefficient.
 Competent Person: Designated person, trained, qualified, and practical experience to
thoroughly examine the lifting equipment’s.

6. GENERAL REQUIREMENT OF PADEYE:


The diameter of holes in Padeyes shall match the shackle used, clearance between
shackle pin and pad eye hole shall not exceed 6% of the nominal shackle pin
diameter.

The tolerance between pad eye thickness and inside width of shackle shall not exceed
25 % of the inside width of the shackle.

Padeyes shall be so designed as to permit free movement of the shackle and sling
termination without fouling the Padeye.

Padeyes shall be welded to the frame with full penetration welds.

7. THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF PADEYE:

The primary purpose of thorough examination is to ensure that a Padeye is safe to be taken
into, or to continue in, use. It is in addition to any inspection carried out as a part of the
maintenance regime and is a statutory requirement.
Prior to the thorough examination, the following shall be verified.
• Classification requirements of the equipment according to the location (Hazardous /
Non-Hazardous) of its Operation.
• The area is cordoned off/barricade to prevent access by persons not directly
involved in the examination of the Padeye.
• There is adequate natural or artificial light for carrying out the examination.
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Thorough Examination of Padeyes Page

• Personnel Protective equipment’s should be in place.

• All the measuring equipment’s shall be calibrated and should be in place.
• Tool box shall be carried between the competent person and site representative. All
the activity corresponds to the examination shall be discussed and cleared.

Thorough Examination is classified as follows referring LOLER Regulation 9.

Initial Thorough Examination: Before being put into use for the first time a Padeye must
be thoroughly examined to ensure that it is safe to use. The only exception to this is if the
equipment is new and the owner has an EC Declaration of Conformity that was made not
more than twelve months prior to the Padeye being used for the first time. In this case, the
Declaration of Conformity will cover the use of the equipment for the first six or twelve-
month period.
This requirement will vary depends on the Local lifting regulation, Ref. Local regulation for
other testing/inspection.
If Proof Load test is required by owner/user, shall be carried out at the discretion of
competent person, with the manufacturer instructions.
Periodic Thorough Examination: A Padeyes must be thoroughly examined periodically
to ensure that it is safe to continue in use. Examination checks for the Padeyes are as
follows,

➢
At the time of thorough examination, the following documents should be in place and
shall be verified.

• EC Declaration of Conformity.
• Structural drawing conforming the WLL and state of loading.
• Test reports.
• Thorough Examination reports.
• Records of defect rectification, if any.
• Data logger records.
• Records of supplementary tests.
• Safety Alerts from manufacturers.
• Records of extraordinary events (e.g. replacement or repair of significant load
bearing components, severe overloading or wind loading).
• Records of unusual applications.
➢
Functional Test/Visual Inspection: A Full functional test and thorough visual
examination of the equipment shall be carried out on no load condition and the following
shall be examined.
➢

• Examination shall be carried out in a proper lighting and by a competent person.

Padeye shall be traceable with unique identification number, WLL, Name of the
Manufacturer’s/Fabricator, Manufacturer’s Certificate of Conformity and Proof Load
Test Certificates.
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• Review of drawings and other additional documents.

• Verification of WLL or SWL with appropriate drawing, state of loading and factor
affecting the WLL.
• Verify for the general technical requirement of the padeye to standard conforms.
• Dimension verification shall be carried out with reference to the drawing.
• Thorough visual examination shall be carried out on the weldments and load
bearing areas shall not have any distortion, damage, stretch or wear on the Padeye.
➢
Periodic Load Test: Periodic load testing is at the discretion of the competent
person, examination schemes and Local operating body. Detailed Procedure of
Load testing (SWL Test):

• A thorough visual examination shall be carried out as per the above given
instruction.
• A test load of 100% rated capacity shall be applied and shall result in no abnormal
operations, no damage to the mechanism and structural elements.
➢
Load Test Following Major Repair: This test would normally be completed shortly
after a major repair of a Padeye to confirm the structural integrity of the Padeye
following repair and to detect any weaknesses. The equipment shall be verified by
thorough visual inspection and proof load test at the discretion of competent person and
local governing body.
➢
Proof Load Test: Proof Load test shall be carried out as the part of periodic
examination as the discretion of competent person or as per local governing body to
assess the continued integrity of the Padeye, considering its age, usage, conditions
and operating environment. The magnitude of load shall be as follows.

The pad eye should be tested with a static test force of 2 x WLL.
Prior to the application of the test load the pad eye should be inspected. The load
should be applied in a manner which simulates the method of use, i.e. at the angle or
range of angles required. If there is the possibility that the accuracy of the angle or
range cannot be guaranteed, a tolerance should be assumed e.g. ± 10º.
The test shall be considered Satisfactory if no cracks, permanent deformation or
damage that would adversely affect the function or safety of the lifting equipment is
visible.
Thorough Examination interval: The statutory maximum intervals of 6 months and may
be reduced, considering environmental factors or the general age and condition etc. The
decision to reduce the interval between thorough examinations may be made by the
competent person, owner or user.
Reasons for reduction of the interval between thorough examinations include:
 Padeye frequently work above or near people, both personnel on site and
members of the public outside the site.
 The intensity of use and the environment in which they are used.
8. REPORTING & CERTIFICATION:

After satisfactory completion of examination, certificate shall be issued for each Padeye
or a batch of Padeyes.
However, a Defect report will be issued for Padeyes failing to meet the acceptance
criteria of thorough examination.
The certificate shall contain at least the following information.
• The name and address of the manufacturer or where applicable the
authorized representative.
• The number and part of the Conforming Harmonised standard.
• The description of the Padeye including all component parts.
• The WLL of the Padeye.
• The static test coefficient(s) used for design of component(s).
• Details of any Proof Load Test carried out.

9. RECORDS:

Record No. Description Retention Period

Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination 5 years
Certificate of Thorough examination 5 years
Inspection Report 5 years
 10. PADEYES - INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Owner: __________________________ Date: ________________________

Location _________________________ Surveyor ________________________
Serial No: _________________________ Type ________________________
SWL Make ________________________

Satisfactory/Not
ITEM DESCRIPTION REMARKS
Satisfactory

1 Structural Elements

2 Hole

3 Weldments

4 Distortion / Permanent Deformation

5 Dimensions as per Drawing

Remarks (if any):

Inspected By (Signature):
Inspector (Name):

Inspection Date: