25 ways to make lifes safer and easier

25 ways to make lifts safer and easier

Lifting is a key activity on any jobsite. Follow these 25 tips for safe, productive lifts with chain.

You can’t build if you don’t first lift it. It’s a key activity on every jobsite. However, the loads are often unique and can be difficult to lift because the center of gravity may not be readily apparent.

To make lifts safer, Acco Chain and Lifting Products has assembled some helpful tips that can help you. These 25 tips will go a long way toward making your lifts go faster and safer.

1. Determine the weight and balance of all loads prior to lifting and check lifting equipment to assure it can handle the load.

2. Use only alloy chain slings and don’t exceed the working load limits established by OSHA (see table at the end of the story).

3. Make sure the object being lifted is not bolted, lagged or clamped to the floor or other surface.

4. Place the crane or hoist directly over the load.

5. Never lift loads with one leg of a multi-leg sling until the unused legs are made secure. Secure any unused leg to prevent it from swinging uncontrollably.

6. Combining single chains for a multi-leg swing may not meet lifting requirements. Use factory-made multi-leg slings.

7. Use slings that are the right length. Never shorten a sling by twisting, knotting or with nuts and bolts. Use adjustable slings for jobs that require varying reaches. Slings can be equipped with a short leg and grab hook that allows you to shorten the longer leg.

8. Never point-load a hook unless it is designed and rated for point loading.

9. Remove all loose pieces from the load before lifting.

10. When lifting long loads, especially in confined spaces, control the load by attaching a rope or tag line to one or both ends of the load. Workers on the ground can work these lines to help control load swinging.

11. Never allow anyone to ride on the hook or the load.

12. Make sure everyone stands clear of the load during lifting or when the slings are being pulled from under the load after the lift is completed. The hooks may catch under the load and suddenly fly free.

13. Never drag slings along the floor.

14. On sharp corners, use pads to protect the sling’s chain links.

15. Authorize only one person to give signals to the crane operator, but the crane operator should obey any “stop” command from any worker.

16. Before lifting the load, double-check to assure the chains are not twisted or knotted and that the sling is properly attached to the load.

17. Think ahead. Before lifting the load, make sure the destination area is cleared and ready for the load. For loads being set on the ground, set timber battens to allow easy sling removal. The load should never be set directly on the chain sling.

18. Avoid impact loading from jerky load movement. Gradually lift the sling to eliminate slack.

19. Raise the load high enough to clear all items in the path of travel.

20. Never work under a suspended load unless it has been adequately supported from the floor and your supervisor has approved all working conditions under the load.

21. Never leave a load suspended when the hoist or crane is unattended.

22. Do not attempt to repair or shorten a sling with bolts, cold shuts, lap links or other hardware. All repairs and modifications should be performed by an authorized chain or sling service center.

23. To properly maintain chains, set up an inspection program for chain slings and follow it. Record all inspections and repairs. Have a chain sling record card for each sling.

24. When not in use, store slings on racks or in assigned areas. This protects the slings from damage.

25. Train workers who use the slings to be on the lookout for damage, such as chain link nicks, gouges, bends or elongation. If anyone finds any damage, tag the sling out of service immediately.

See tables 1 and 2 for more information
• Table 1
• Table 2

Chain killers
Few things are as strong as iron and almost as fluid as water, but a chain sling offers both characteristics. When used properly, a chain sling can help you complete monumental tasks. Treat them wrong, however, and you set the stage for failure, risking property damage and personal safety.

Acco Chain and Lifting Products offers five common chain killers and ways to avoid them:

1. Overloading the sling. This can lead to rapid wear, elongation and possible failure. Rig loads based on the weight capacity listed on the chain’s identification tag. Your jobsite should have access to a competent person who can specify the correct sling for the lifting job.

2. Improper lift angle. It’s tempting to stretch a sling for bigger jobs, but any sling angle less than 30 degrees will overload the sling. If head clearance prevents you from using a longer chain sling, use a spreader beam to gain clearance.

3. Point-loading the hook. Wedging or forcing the hook point into loads instead of into the bowl of the hook can bend or stress the hook, reducing its weight capacity.

4. Unbalanced loads can slip and cause impact loading. Use the right chain sling for the job and make sure the load’s weight is evenly distributed. Sudden jerks from unbalanced loads that slip greatly stress chain.

5. Knotted or twisted chain. Never knot or twist chain to shorten its length for a job. It creates tremendous stresses on links and could cause the load to swing or spin wildly.

6. Drop ’em where you used ’em. Properly store chain slings so they are protected from damage. Hanging them up in the storage or shop trailer greatly reduces the chances it will be driven over by vehicles, subjected to the elements or have heavy loads place on top of them.

Published in the May/June 2003 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.