How To Carry Out Lifting And Material Handling Safely?

By Author: Alan Wood
Total Articles: 110
Comment this article

A hoist is a type of device that is used for moving or lifting material. The wheel or drum on which a chain / rope is wrapped offers the lifting force. Hoists are of various types - Pendant cranes, Base Mounted, Lever operated, Manual or Electro-hydraulic. Such kinds of hoists vary in the way they tend to move, although similar precautions need to be taken when you work with them. Here are some tips that will help you in safe handling of lifting equipment.

Do not surpass load limit

You need to have an exact idea of the hoist’s safe load limit, and never go beyond that in any circumstance. Otherwise, there will be risks of breakage and injuries.

Lubricate the components

The chains and wire ropes are the lifting and material handling components that ...
... you must lubricate, in order to make them work in a proper way.

Hoist from the right position

You should hoist from a position exactly over the object or load. Unless a central position is taken, the load might swing while being elevated.

Hang properly

Hang the hoists well from the highest point of the area of the hook. When you rig in such a manner, the support of the hook is in direct line with its shank.

Maintain a straight line pull

Although you may pull lever operated hoists in any direction, it is important to maintain a straight line pull. Side lifting or pulling can increase the wear and tear, and expose the hoist components to dangerous levels of stress. Only a single individual must pull on lever, chain and hand hoists.

Author Resource:

Alan advises people about elevator installation platforms, tower maintenance platform, lifting equipments, window cleaning gondola & suspended working platform etc. You can find his thoughts at an aluminum cradle blog. Find the best fall protection in construction specification at this website.