FG, stakeholders to recertify authorized inspectors of lifting equipment, pressure vessels

From Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to its partnership with relevant stakeholders for the review, improvement and standardization of the process for training and revalidation of the certificate of competence of Approved Persons and Authorized Inspectors of lifting equipment, pressure vessels and plants operations.

Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, disclosed this in Abuja recently while declaring a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Process of Revalidation of Certificate of Competence for Approved Persons/Authorized Inspectors, open.

Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Special Duties, Mr. Felix Ogenyi, the Permanent Secretary stated that the focus of the stakeholders’ meeting was to re-strategize for the Ministry’s improved service delivery in the area of the certification of persons for statutory examination and testing of lifting equipment and pressure vessels.

This, he added, was in line with the mandatory requirements for safe use of plants as provided for in the Factories Act, Cap F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

 “The lifting equipment, lifting tackles, steam boilers, steam receivers, steam containers, air receivers and other pressure vessels come under the class of plants which require periodic examination under Sections 24-26 and 31-33 of the Factories Act Cap F1 LFN 2004. The examination and testing of such plants are carried out by Authorized Inspectors/Approved Persons appointed by the Director of Factories of the Federation in line with the Act”, he said.

The PS further said: “Today, the Ministry considers a review to further improve on the process for better service delivery of the competent persons  and universal credibility of the certificates issued through an enlarged stakeholders’ participation,” he said.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the duties of an Authorised Inspector or Approved Person include:

·         To carry out  thorough initial test and periodic examination  of lifting appliances, or steam boilers or air receivers and other pressure vessels;

·         To issue the relevant reports for such tests;

·         To file the true certified copies of reports of all examination and tests with the  Director of Factories;

·         To keep the Director informed of all his activities under the provisions of the Factories Act.