FEATURE | LOAD SECURITY
LOAD SECURITY AND OPERATOR SAFETY
L
oad security is ultimately about safety. The Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI) in the US publishes many specifications and
recommended practices for hoist design, operation and service. The CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America) has made them easily available on its website, and in the interests of safer practice in the industry we reproduce them here. For further links see the CMAA website. Following these hoist safety guidelines will protect your operation, enhance equipment integrity and reliability, and reduce the risk of injury.
HOIST SAFETY BEST PRACTICES Select the Properly Sized Hoist for an Application: Supplied separately from an overhead crane, monorail, or workstation cranes, hoists can be easily exchanged among different types of overhead lifting systems. Regardless of the overhead lifting equipment used, it is critical to ensure both it and the hoist are properly sized to handle the load. When specifying and purchasing the equipment, select a hoist that is sufficient (or slightly more so) for the lifting speed, weight capacity and duty service of the handling application. This ensures the lifting device is sized correctly for the load and will perform as expected. Read the Owner’s Manual: Developed by the hoist’s manufacturer and provided upon installation, these documents contain critical information. They detail specifications, dimensions, operation instructions, inspection criteria, parts lists, and other key hoist safety guidelines. Follow OSHA Guidelines: In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires facility operators to provide their employees with equipment that is both safe and operates property. This includes hoists and any below-the-hook lifting devices – such as hooks, magnets, slings, grippers, beams, or vacuum cups — used with them. [Note: In the UK Hoist safety is governed by regulations such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
34 | February 2025 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).] Conduct Regular Inspections: Prior to the start of each shift, insect the hoist by following HMI’s Pre-inspection checklist before operation. This resource covers multiple areas, including the operating mechanism, limit devices, hooks, latches, and lifting media (chain, rope or strap). More detailed inspections should also occur at frequent and periodic intervals. Additionally, hoists used outdoors, in harsh environments, and/or with a higher duty cycle require frequent and periodic inspections to be performed more often. Damage, malfunctions, or unusual performance noted by an operator should be reported to managers, and the hoist removed from service immediately. Never allow operators to use a hoist with a twisted, kinked, damaged, or worn wire rope or chain. Only Lift Loads Centered Under the Hoist: Loads should be directly underneath the hoist prior to operating the hoist. Never allow an operator to attempt a side-pull to reach a load. Pulling the hoist and its chain or wire at an angle and out of plumb from under the trolley and overhead lifting equipment is dangerous. Train Personnel in Proper Hoist Operation: Only those employees who complete training on the proper use of the overhead hoist and associated equipment should be allowed to use it. All hoist operators should know, understand, and follow hoist operation guidelines to ensure worker and facility safety. Training should be provided by someone with experience on the equipment. Verify that hoist operators are familiar with the following steps before allowing them to use the equipment:
Always maintain a firm footing when operating the hoist.
Tension the hoist prior to each lift operation to check brake function.
Confirm that the hoist’s limit switches function properly before lifting a load.
Carefully take up slack, confirming that the load’s balance, stability, and load holding action are secure before proceeding.
Under slack conditions, use hook latches to retain slings or chains. Before operating the hoist, confirm that hook latches are closed and not supporting any parts of the load.
Avoid swinging the load or hook.
Verify that the hook travels in the same direction as shown on the controls.
Alert personnel in surrounding areas of an approaching load.
Perform Regular Preventive Maintenance: To ensure hoist safety and long service life, perform regular preventative maintenance as specified by the manufacturer. This includes consistent lubrication and replacement of damaged or worn parts. Keep appropriate records of all hoist maintenance activities. If it is necessary to outsource preventive maintenance and repairs, engage independent crane service professionals with experience on the specific equipment. Follow the Hoist Manufacturer’s Safety Recommendations: Require all hoist operators to follow manufacturer specified safety precautions when operating the equipment. This includes:
Not attempting to operate a hoist bearing an out-of-service tag, or with missing or illegible safety placards or decals.
Not permitting an operator to attach a load to a hoist without first having proper training.
Never trying to lift a load that exceeds the capacity rating of the hoist.
Not using the hoist load limiting or warning device as a means to measure the load.
Only using limit switches as emergency devices, not routine operating stops.
Only applying a load if the chain is properly seated in the wheels or sprockets, or if the wire rope is properly seated in the grooves.
Never lift or move loads over people. Never use the hoist to lift, support, or transport people.
Only apply the load once all supporting chains, ropes, or web straps are loaded equally.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79
