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Hoist Operation Do's and Dont's

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Hoist Operation Do's and Don'ts

To Be Done Before Each Shift Or Before The First Time The Hoist Is To Be Used Each Shift

It is recommended that THE HOIST OPERATOR:

  • SHALL perform a daily hoist inspection. Refer to Table 2 in the HOIST INSPECTIONS section of this manual.
  • SHALL visually inspect the hoist wire rope (if applicable) for broken wires, broken strands, kinks, and any type of deformation or damage of the rope structure; or visually inspect the hoist load chain (if applicable) for nicks, gouges, and any type of deformation or damage, and check for lubrication of load chain.
  • SHALL visually inspect the hoist hook latches for proper operation or damage that does not allow proper operation.
  • SHALL visually inspect the hoist hooks for nicks, gouges, deformation of the throat opening, wear on saddle or load bearing point, and twisting.
  • SHALL test operation of the primary upper limit device of the hoisting motion.
  • SHALL NOT operate hoist if any damage or malfunctions exist.
  • SHALL report if the hoist warning label or labels are missing or illegible to the supervisor.
  • SHALL report any damage or malfunctions of the hoist to the supervisor.
  • SHALL NOT operate hoist if it is tagged with an out-of-order sign.

It is recommended that THE HOIST OPERATOR:

  • SHALL be familiar with all operating controls of the hoist.
  • SHALL be familiar with the OPERATION Section of the manual furnished by the manufacturer of the hoist; instruction and WARNING labels on the hoist; and the OPERATION section of ASME B30.16.
  • SHALL be familiar with the operations to be performed.
  • SHALL NOT operate hoist if any damage or malfunctions exist.
  • SHALL report any damage or malfunctions to the supervisor.
  • SHALL NOT operate hoist if it is tagged with an out-of-order sign.
  • SHALL center hoist over load.
  • SHALL NOT operate a hook mounted hoist when the hoist is restricted from forming a straight line from top hook to load hook in the direction of loading.
  • SHALL NOT use the hoist wire rope or load chain as a sling to wrap around the load.
  • SHALL attach the load to the hoist load hook by suitable means such as slings or lifting devices.
  • SHALL verify that the size of the attachment part of the sling or other lifting device to be used is compatible with the size of the hoist load hook.
  • SHALL verify that the capacity of the attachment part of the sling or other lifting device to be used is compatible with the capacity of the hoist load hook and the weight of the load to be lifted.
  • SHALL only attach loads to the hoist load hook that do not exceed the rated load capacity of the hoist.
  • SHALL verify that hoist wire rope (if applicable) is properly seated in the drum grooves and sheaves.
  • SHALL verify that the attachment part of the sling or other lifting device is properly seated in the base, bowl, or saddle of the hoist load hook.
  • SHALL verify that the hoist hook latch operates properly and that the hook latch properly bridges and closes the hook throat opening.
  • SHALL verify that load will be properly balanced when it is lifted.
  • SHALL verify that the latch of the hoist hook will not support any part of the load.
  • SHALL verify that the load or any part of the load will not be applied to and/or not supported by the tip or point of the hook.
  • SHALL verify that side loads will not be applied to the hoist when the load is lifted.
  • SHALL verify that hoist wire rope or load chain is not kinked or twisted, and that wire rope or load chain parts are not twisted about each other.
  • SHALL verify that hoist load chain (if applicable) is properly seated in the chain sprockets.
  • SHALL NOT use the hoist load limiting device or load warning device (if provided) to measure the load to be lifted.
  • SHALL notify personnel in the area that a load will be lifted and verify that all personnel are clear of the load.
  • SHALL verify that when the load is lifted, it will clear all material, machinery, or other obstructions in the area.

While Operating The Hoist And Moving The Load

It is recommended that THE HOIST OPERATOR:

  • SHALL NOT engage in any activity that will divert the attention of the hoist operator.
  • SHALL NOT lift, lower, or transport a load with the hoist until the operator and all other personnel are clear of the load and the path of the load.
  • SHALL avoid moving loads over personnel.
  • SHALL verify that the load and hoist will clear all obstacles before moving or rotating the load.
  • SHALL NOT use hoist limit devices as a normal means of stopping the hoist.
  • SHALL NOT lift, lower, or transport personnel by means of the hoist, trolley, hoist hook, or load.
  • SHALL only lift the load a few inches to verify that the load is properly balanced before continuing with the lift.
  • SHALL only lift the load a few inches to verify that the hoist braking system is functioning properly before continuing with the lift.
  • SHALL slowly inch the load hook into engagement with the load to eliminate wire rope or load chain slack and minimize impact loading of the hoist.
  • SHALL avoid unnecessary inching and quick reversals of direction.
  • SHALL avoid sharp contact between trolleys or between trolleys and stops (if applicable)
  • SHALL avoid swinging of the load or hoist load hook when the trolley (if applicable) or hoist is traveling.
  • SHALL NOT use the hoist load limiting device or load warning device (if provided) to measure the load to be lifted.
  • SHALL NOT lower the load, on wire rope hoists, beyond the point where less than two wraps of wire rope remain at each anchorage on the drum, unless a lower limit device is provided, in which case no less than one wrap of wire rope shall remain at each anchorage on the drum.

Parking The Load

It is recommended that THE HOIST OPERATOR:

  • SHALL NOT lower a load with the hoist until the operator and all other personnel are clear of the load and the path of the load.
  • SHALL exercise care when removing a sling from under a landed and blocked load.
  • SHALL verify that the load will clear all obstacles before lowering the load with the hoist.
  • SHALL block hoist loads before landing if slings or other lifting devices must be removed from under the landed load.
  • SHALL NOT leave a suspended load unattended unless specific precautions to prevent the load from inadvertent lowering have been instituted and are in place.
  • SHALL position the hoist load block and load hook above head level for storage when the hoist is not in use. Seven feet or greater above floor level is recommended

General

It is recommended that THE HOIST OPERATOR:

  • SHALL know hand signals used for hoist and crane operations if a signalperson is used in the operation, and accept signals of only persons authorized to give hand signals.
  • SHALL NOT adjust or repair a hoist unless qualified and authorized to perform maintenance.
  • SHALL obey a stop signal regardless who gives it.
  • SHALL NOT use the hoist load limiting device or load warning device (if provided) to measure the load to be lifted.

Recommended General Do Not's:

  • DO NOT operate a hoist that is damaged or has any actual or suspected mechanical or electrical malfunction.
  • DO NOT attempt to lengthen wire rope or repair damaged wire rope.
  • DO NOT attempt to lengthen load chain or repair damaged load chain.
  • DO NOT use the wire rope, the load chain, any part of the hoist, or the load block and hook as a ground for welding.
  • DO NOT allow a welding electrode to be touched to the wire rope, load chain or load hook.
  • DO NOT remove or obscure any instructions, warnings or warning labels on the hoist.
  • DO NOT walk under a suspended load or allow other personnel to walk under a suspended load.
  • DO NOT perform or allow any other person to perform ANY work on a suspended load that requires a worker to be positioned under the suspended load.