Lifting safety tips

Hand-operated hoists are great for hoisting pipe or plate into position. Although simple to operate, misuse can result in sudden failure, property damage and serious injury.

Eagle Insurance Group offers the following safety ideas when using come-alongs, coffin or chain hoists. However, Eagle sources report that readers should rely on their own investigations before using these hoist safety ideas:

Inspect the hoist. Make sure it is in good condition. Do not use any hoist that appears to have been overloaded. Symptoms of overloading include a bent handle; stretched chain links; broken ratchet teeth; and stiff operation or bent hooks. If anything is cracked, bent, distorted, deformed or broken, it probably has been overloaded. Don’t use it.

Know the weight of the load you plan to lift. Never lift a load greater than the hoist’s capacity and never use two hoists to lift a load heavier than the rated capacity of either hoist. A load shift may place the entire weight on one hoist, causing failure.

Capacity ratings are based on a new hoist. Age, dirt, wear, and improper maintenance will reduce lifting capacity.

Never put a “cheater bar” on the operating lever or use more than one person to pull the lever. It is a sure sign that the hoist is overloaded if the load cannot be moved by one person using a normal pull.

Make sure the structure your hoist is hanging from can support the load you are lifting. The structure must also withstand any possible shock load.

Watch your step. Use these devices only where you are safe from hazards if you lose your grip or slip. The site must also allow you to stand clear of the load at all times.

Never allow the load chain to bend or slide around objects such as corners or sharp edges. Do not use load chains or cables as a substitute for an approved sling.

Apply the load evenly. Do not jerk, bounce, or allow the load to swing. Any violent motion or shock load may exceed hoist capacity. Avoid load swinging by centering on the hoist before lifting.

Never leave a suspended load unattended and never work or walk under a suspended load.

Published in the November/December 2006 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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