Hoisting and moving heavy materials from one point to another around

a job site requires the use of specialized machinery. In some cases, a

crew may need to suspend the materials when building large-scale
projects such as industrial buildings, dams or skyscrapers. The
invention of cranes made material handling on a large scale easier for
work crews.

Hard-to-reach locations where trucks and other construction vehicles

cannot traverse may need steel, heavy equipment and supplies.
Engineers developed these pieces of heavy equipment to provide
stability, distribute weight and offer safety when handling heavy loads
at shorter distances. Crews often affix these simple machines to a
platform, either mobile or static, to offer a mechanical advantage over
other types of man-powered, pulley-based or motor-driven hoisting
methods. Cranes represent essential components to construction, and
crews primarily use them for the heaviest of lifting tasks.

A hoist is a device used for lifting or lowering a load by means of a drum or lift-wheel around which
rope or chain wraps. It may be manually operated, electrically or pneumatically driven and may use
chain, fiber or wire rope as its lifting medium. The most familiar form is an elevator, the car of which
is raised and lowered by a hoist mechanism. Most hoists couple to their loads using a lifting hook.

Types[edit]

Builder's hoist, with small gasoline engine

A differential pulley chain hoist

A hoist on the Trump International Hotel & Tower-Chicago

 A water-powered mine hoist used for raising ore from De re metallica

The basic hoist has two important characteristics to define it: Lifting medium and power type. The
lifting medium is either wire rope, wrapped around a drum, or load-chain, raised by a pulley with a
special profile to engage the chain. The power can be provided by different means. Common means
are hydraulics, electrical and air driven motors. Both the wire rope hoist and chain hoist have been in
common use since the 1800s, however mass production of an electric hoist did not start until the
early 1900s and was first adapted by Germany. A hoist can be built as one integral-package unit,
designed for cost-effective purchasing and moderate use, or it can be built as a built-up custom unit,
designed for durability and performance. The built-up hoist will be much more expensive, but will
also be easier to repair and more durable. Package units were once regarded as being designed for
light to moderate usage, but since the 60s this has changed. Built-up units are designed for heavy to
severe service, but over the years that market has decreased in size since the advent of the more
durable packaged hoist. A machine shop or fabricating shop will use an integral-package hoist, while
a Steel Mill or NASA would use a built-up unit to meet durability, performance, and repairability
requirements. NASA has also seen a change in the use of package hoists. The NASA Astronaut
training pool, for example, utilizes cranes with packaged hoists.

Also known as a man-lift, Buck-hoist, temporal lift, builder forklifts, lift or elevator, is
this kind of lift is often in large construction projects large as tall buildings or large
hospitals. There are many other uses for the elevator.

other industries use the buck hoist for full-time operations. The purpose is to transfer
its personnel, material and equipment between the ground and the upper floors, or
between plants in the middle of a structure.

ELECTRIC HOISTS

are perfect for jobs that require lifting heavy items. These heavy-duty lifting machines
are able to lift and relocate burdensome items quickly and effectively, which in turn
helps to lower worker expenses and increases your bottom line. These diverse
machines can be used for both smaller scale and industrial scale uses.

So here are the six main reasons why someone would invest in an electric hoist:

1. Increased Productivity: an electric hoist allows for you to hoist items quickly
and effortlessly. These machines move much quicker than their manual counterparts
and on top of this, they decrease the amount of muscle strain that workers may
experience when moving equipment/parts around.

2. Higher Load Capacity: Generally speaking most electric lifting devices have a
high combined hoist and trolley combination load capacity system. This causes the load
 capacity to range from 100-200 pounds, thus allowing for you to comfortably lift a large
range of different load weights.

3. Cost-Effective: You probably have already come to this conclusion yourself, but
electric hoists are extremely cost-effective. With their high carrying capacity and
efficiency, once installed they quickly start to give you significant savings on manpower.

4. Versatility: These highly effective machines don’t just allow for you to lift an item
vertically or horizontally, they allow for you to do both.

5. Less Noise: When compared to hydraulic or manual hoists an electric hoist is

almost as quiet as a mouse!

6. Higher Durability: These hoist systems can serve you for many years, so long
as they are well maintained. Regular inspections will help you to keep your machine in
shape.

Unfortunately, I cannot leave it at just that, like any other machine electric hoists have
their own disadvantages, including the following:

 The one main issues quickly become apparent right in the name electric
hoist,indicating that if there was a power outage then an item could become stuck in
mid-transit something which would cause work to come to a screeching halt.

 Again another issue with having an electric chain hoist is that accidents such as
electric shock can occur if they are not properly inspected and maintained.

Which is why inspections are so important when you own something like an electric
hoist, it ensures that they are in proper working order and ready for use when you need
them. To ensure that you have an inspection schedule in place, this will help to ensure
that your hoists are properly taken care of.

Though there are some things that you can do outside of regular inspections in order to
ensure that your host has the longest lifespan possible.

Ensure that you follow these rules:

1. Do not lift a load that exceeds the capacity of the chain block

2. Do not use the blockchain as a sling

3. Ensure that the chain is not kinked before using it

4. Make sure that no one is working or passing under a lifting load

5. If the hand chain does not move, do NOT use force, stop operations and inspect
the chain block

6. Only lift vertically, do NOT drag a load.

Maintenance:

 This should occur after operations have been completed, you can clean the chain
block of any dirt and then store it in a dry place in order to prevent rust and corrosion
from forming.

 Ensure that the “O” marks on the two disk gears are aligned and show no signs
of rust or corrosion

 Place the rollers of both the left and right bearings to the inner race of the
bearings on the chain sprocket shaft journal, then place the outer race of the bearings
on the side plates.

 Once annual cleaning and repair of the chain block are complete it should be
then placed under a non-load and heavy load test. If it passes it then may be placed into
operation.

Pre-Use Inspection:

In order to ensure that the electric hoist will work well, a pre-use inspectionshould occur
before each use.

 Visually inspect the load chains for any damage

 Make sure the hoist is properly secured

 Ensure the load does not exceed the loading limit

 Check to ensure the motions are smooth and regular and that there are no
hesitations, vibrations, binding, unusual noises or any other irregularities.

 Make sure the chain is not kinked or damaged.

Annual Inspections:

As stated before electric hoist inspections should occur regularly and be completed by a
fully trained and certified inspector in order to ensure that the hoist is in proper working
order. Some of the things that the inspector will look at/for include some of the following:
 Checking the operating mechanisms for maladjustment and listening for any
unusual sounds

 Checking the tightness of any bolts, nuts and/or rivets

 Looking for excessive wear, corrosion, cracks or distortion in any of the following
parts: load blocks, suspension housing, hand chain wheels, chain attachments,
clevises, yokes, suspension bolts, shafts, gears, bearings, pins, rollers and
locking/clamping devices

 Looking for damage or wear on the hook-retaining nuts or collars, pins, welds
and rivets that are used to secure the retaining members.

 Reviewing the hand chain operated hoists and looking for evidence of worn,
glazed, or oil-contaminated friction disks

 Checking for any signs of damage to the supporting structure/trolley

 Making sure the end connection load chains have no signs of wear, corrosion,
cracks, damage or distortion

At the end of the day, an electric hoist will help to speed up production and increase
your bottom line, but you have to make sure you take proper care of it and ensure that it
gets regular inspections and maintenance in order for it to continue doing so in the
future.

Platform hoist
A power-driven hoist, having a lifting capacity ranging from 200 lb (90.7 kg) to about
2-1/2 st (2.27 t), which can be raised on a loading platform up to 200 ft (61 m) high.

Introduction
Lifting operations are inherent to many occupations in the construction industry. They can be performed
manually or using lifting equipment. Both manual lifting and mechanical lifting operations can put construction
workers at great risk of injury or health symptoms causing sick leave or disability. The costs of accidents and ill
health related to lifting operations, are immense. This article describes the risks associated with lifting
operations in the construction industry and measures to reduce these risks.

Definitions
Lifting operations
A lifting operation is an operation concerned with the lifting and lowering of a load. A load is the item or items
being lifted which could include a person or people. A lifting operation may be performed manually or using
lifting equipment. Manual lifting, holding, putting down, carrying or moving is often referred to as ‘manual
handling of loads’ [1].
Lifting operations in construction occur during transportation of material from the storage place to the place
where it is being processed, and during the processing of materials. A load includes any material or people that
are lifted or lowered by lifting equipment.

Lifting equipment in construction

Lifting equipment includes any equipment or machinery used at work for lifting or lowering loads or people,
including accessories and attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting the equipment [2]. There is a
wide range of lifting equipment in the construction industry. Typical examples are:

 A hoist: is a device used for lifting or lowering a load by means of a drum or lift-wheel around which
rope or chain wraps. It may be manually operated, electrically or pneumatically driven and may use chain,
fibre or wire rope as its lifting medium.

 A crane: is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that
can be used to lift and lower heavy materials and to move them horizontally. Different types that can be
found in construction are:

 A tower crane: is a balance crane that consist of the same basic parts. Fixed to the ground on
a concrete slab, tower cranes offer height and high lifting capacity. The base is then attached to the
mast which gives the crane its height. The mast is attached to the slewing unit (gear and motor) that
allows the crane to rotate.

 Telescopic crane: has a boom that consists of a number of tubes fitted one inside the other. A
powered mechanism extends or retracts the tubes to increase or decrease the total length of the
boom. These types of booms are highly adaptable, are often truck mounted and used for short term
construction projects.

 A mobile crane: is a cable-controlled crane mounted on crawlers or rubber-tired carriers or a

hydraulic-powered crane with a telescoping boom mounted on truck-type carriers or as self-propelled
models. They are designed to easily transport to a site and use with different types of load and cargo
with little or no setup or assembly.

 All terrain crane: is a mobile, truck mounted crane with the necessary equipment to travel at
speed on public roads, and on rough terrain at the job site using all-wheel and crab steering.

 A crawler crane: is a crane mounted on an undercarriage with a set of tracks (also called
crawlers) that provide stability and mobility. They need little set-up and can travel with a load but are
very heavy and cannot easily be moved from one job site to another.

 A power shovel (also stripping shovel or front shovel or electric mining shovel) is a bucket-equipped
machine, usually electrically powered, used for digging and loading earth or fragmented rock and for
mineral extraction conveyor systems.

 A telescopic handler, or telehandler, is a type of crane, with the versatility of a single telescopic boom
that can extend forwards and upwards from the vehicle. On the end of the boom several attachments can
be fit, such as a bucket, pallet forks, muck grab, or winch.

 A fork lift truck is a powered industrial truck with hydraulic lift system and forks to pick up and transport
materials.
 Lifting equipment for lifting people:

 An aerial work platform, elevating work platform, or mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), is
a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas,
usually at height. There are distinct types of mechanized access platforms and the individual types
may also be known as a "cherry picker" or a "scissor lift". They can be vehicle-mounted, self-propelled
or trailer-mounted.

 A passenger lift or passenger hoist or construction elevator is commonly used on large scale
construction projects, such as high-rise buildings to transport persons.
Lifting accessories
Lifting accessories means a component or equipment not attached to the lifting machinery, allowing the load to
be held, which is placed between the machinery and the load or on the load itself, or which is intended to
constitute an integral part of the load and which is independently placed on the market; slings and their
components are also regarded as lifting accessories [3]. These accessories include amongst others chains,
ropes, slings, shackles, eyebolts, lifting/runway beams, lifting frames and vacuum lifting devices.

The load
The load includes any material and people (or any combination of these) that is lifted by the lifting equipment.
Loads are often provided with permanent or semi-permanent fixed or attached points for lifting. In most cases,
these are considered to be part of the load. Examples of loads include:

 loose bulk materials

 sacks, bags, pallets and stillage’s

 discrete items (such as a large concrete block)

 machinery and any permanently attached lifting eyes

 a skip and the lugs fixed to its side.

Risks associated with lifting operations
Risks of manual lifting
Though decreasing lately, the rate of workers in the EU-27 that report carrying or moving heavy loads, is still
high, i.e. approximately 35 % [4]. The physical load from manual lifting in the construction industry has been
reported extensively [5][6]. Examples of jobs in the construction industry with manual lifting tasks are: scaffolding,
bricklaying and processing plasterboard. Manual lifting tasks with high loads or frequencies may induce
musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), e.g. low back pain. According to the European Working Conditions Survey
36.5% of the construction workers reported work related back aches [4]. In addition, acute trauma such as cuts
or fractures due to accidents may occur from manual lifting task.

What makes manual lifting hazardous?

There are several risk factors that may increase the occurrence of injury from manual lifting [Ergonomics |
musculoskeletal disorders | Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in manual handling of loads]. These
factors are related to the different characteristics of the load, the task and organization of the work, the work
environment and the worker [7]:
The load, which may be:

 too heavy - There is no exact weight limit that is safe. A weight of 25 kg is heavy to lift for most people,
especially if the load is handled several times in an hour
 too large - if the load is large, it is not possible to follow the basic rules for lifting and carrying — to
keep the load as close to the body as possible; thus, the muscles will get tired more rapidly; moreover, the
shape or size may obscures the worker’s view, thus increasing the risk of slipping, tripping or falling

 unbalanced or unstable objects or if the contents can move make it difficult to hold the center of gravity
of the load close to the middle of body; this leads to uneven loading of muscles and fatigue; moreover,
liquid causes uneven loading of the muscles and sudden movements of the load can make the worker lose
their balance and fall

 difficult to grasp: this can result in the object slipping and causing an accident; loads with sharp edges
or with dangerous materials can injure workers. Gloves usually make the grasping more difficult than with
bare hands. Providing the objects with handles or using aids for gripping (e.g. when carrying plate
material) reduces the load on the worker.
The task and organization of the work, if it requires:

 awkward postures or movements, e.g. a bent and/or twisted trunk, raised arms, bent wrists, over-
reaching

 a high frequency or repetition with insufficient recovery periods;

 a high rate of work, which cannot be influenced by the worker

 unstable loads or loads handled with the body in an unstable posture.

The work environment, if it has:

 insufficient room, in particular vertically, to carry out the activity; this may lead to awkward postures

 uneven floors, thus presenting tripping hazards, is unstable or is slippery in relation to the worker's
footwear

 bad position of the load or work place design, causing reaching with the arms, bending or twisting the
trunk and elevated arms yield high muscular force

 variations floor levels or in working surface, requiring the load to be manipulated on different levels

 unsuitable temperature, humidity or ventilation, making workers feel tired; sweat makes it hard to hold
tools, meaning that more force must be used; cold can make hands numb, making it hard to grip

 insufficient lighting, increasing the risk of accidents, or force workers into awkward positions to see
clearly what they are doing.
Individual characteristics, such as:

 lack of experience, training and familiarity with the job

 age: the risk of low back disorders increases with age and with the number of years at work

 physical dimensions and capacity such as height, weight and strength

 prior history of musculoskeletal disorders, in particular back disorders.

Moreover, manual handling of heavy loads can cause injuries if the load suddenly hits the worker or causes
slipping or falling. Handling of smaller loads for a long time without rest can result in fatigue. For a tired person
loads can become too heavy after hours of handling, resulting in faulty movements, and the risk of injuries and
disorders will increase.
Hazards of using lifting equipment
The hazards: associated with the use of lifting equipment in construction are:

 Hazards related to the loads, e.g. crushing due to impact of moving objects or loads falling from
vehicles because they are not slinged properly or the wrong type of slings were used

 Hazards from moving vehicles or collapsing structures [Safety | Workplace transport | In house
transport and handling], i.e. cranes falling over because of improper fixation or strong wind, unsafe loads,
loads exceeding the safe weight limits, trapping/crushing risk in the use of MEWPs while working at height,
falling from height , limbs or bodies caught in machinery

 falling from lifting platforms or being crushed when the platform moves

 musculoskeletal hazards related to force exertions, poor working postures and/or repetitive work

 hazards related to poor environment that may interfere with communication between workers or
concentration needed for the task (noise) or cause sweaty, slippery objects (heat, poor ventilation)

 Contact with overhead electrical cables.

Possible causes of these hazards may be: poor mechanical design (breaks in use, not powerful enough,
components fracture or malfunction), poor workplace design, malfunction of the (manual, mechanical,
electronic) signaling system, not using the proper equipment for the purpose or misuse (not using as designed,
e.g. the load was too heavy), loads insecurely attached, poor maintenance (breaks or emits noxious gases) or
untidy workplace, human error when operating machines or erecting scaffolding.

Ensuring safe and healthy lifting operations

General requirements
All employers have legal duties to fulfil in their Member State, based on European Directives, to prevent harm
to workers. The most important directives regarding lifting operations and lifting equipment in construction are:

 89/391/EEC - the "framework" directive, that sets out the basic requirements for workplaces [8].

 2006/42/EC – the machinery directive, including: interchangeable equipment, safety components,

lifting accessories, chains, ropes and webbing, removable mechanical transmission devices and partly
completed machinery [9].

 90/269/EEC – the manual handling directive, on the minimum health and safety requirements for the
manual handling of loads [10].

[11]
 95/63/EEC - on the use of work equipment .

 92/57/EEC - on the minimum health and safety requirements for temporary and mobile construction
sites [12].
Preventive measures follow the general principles of prevention in the Council Directive 89/391/EEC
concerning health and safety at work. Employers, with project supervisors, must cooperate and protect
workers’ health and safety. At temporary and mobile construction sites the project supervisor nominates a site
coordinator who is responsible for (the coordination of) health and safety.

Risk assessment of lifting operations

Employers are required to assess the health and safety risks that their employees face and to reduce these
risks to an acceptable level. In short, an effective risk assessment should comprise the following steps:
Identify hazards and those at risk Think about the work that is done and identify what may cause or increase
the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders. Involve the employees in this process. With respect to lifting
operations and lifting equipment the risk assessment should focus on the risk factors that have been described
before. Think about everyone who may be hurt by each hazard. This means not just employees, but also
contractors, self-employed persons, and members of the public. Specific attention should be paid to young and
older workers. Consider the causes of the identified hazards.
Evaluate and prioritize the risks Evaluate the risk for each hazard, which means calculating the probability of
harm to occur and how severe the health effect may be. Prioritize the risks based on the exposure, the
probability and the severity of the effect.
Decide on preventive action If health risks do exist develop a plan of action for risk reduction. Check whether
the hazard can be removed completely, whether the risk can be controlled, if protective measures can be taken
to protect the whole workforce or if personal protective equipment is needed to protect workers if a risk that
cannot be adequately controlled by collective preventive measures.
Take action Prioritize preventive and protective measures and specify short and long term actions. Specifying
who does what and when, when a task is to be completed and the means allocated to implement the
measures.
Monitor the risks, and review preventive measures. Evaluate, on a regular basis, to see if the risk has been
reduced to an acceptable level and if new risks have emerged. Decide if further action should be taken.
[13][14]
Specific tools are available for risk assessment at constructions sites, of manual handling .

Preventing OSH hazards at the pre-build phase

Health and safety should be designed into constructions, before, during and after the building phase [15][16].
Architects should be made aware of the potential hazards of their design and improvements that can be made
by avoiding the need for manual handling. Contractors, clients, and suppliers can encourage good practice
standards to be fully implemented. The risks to construction workers can be avoided before work starts on site
by:

 putting in place a purchasing policy for machinery and work equipment, for example, buying equipment
that meets the health and safety requirements

 setting health and safety requirements in tender specifications (meeting national legislation as a
minimum)

 planning the work process to minimize the number of workers who could be harmed

 starting control activities before getting to site, e.g. by planning, training, site induction and
maintenance activities

 ensuring all persons, including managers, are trained and able to carry out their work without risk to
the safety or health of themselves or other workers. The drivers and operators of vehicles and earth-
moving or materials-handling equipment should be trained and physically fit.
Risk reduction of manual lifting
The minimum health and safety requirements for the manual handling of loads are given by the European
Union Directive 90/269/EEC [17], which is transposed into law in all EU Member States. The directive requires
employers to use the appropriate means to:

 Avoid the need for manual handling of loads by workers;

 Take the appropriate organizational measures to reduce the risk if manual handling cannot be avoided;

 Ensure that workers receive adequate information on the weight of a load, the center of gravity or the
heaviest side when a package is unevenly loaded; and
 Ensure proper training and precise information on how to handle loads correctly.
In practice, the following prevention measures can be taken [7] hierarchy of prevention and control
measures, strategies to tackle musculoskeletal disorders at work:

 Risk elimination — consider whether manual lifting operations can be avoided, for example by using
powered or mechanical handling equipment. The use of a crane on site enables it to be always available
for use, such as taking delivery of materials.

 Risk reduction by technical measures: if manual lifting cannot be avoided, consider if lifting loads can
be reduced, e.g. by using light materials or supplying materials in smaller bags? If that is not the case
consider if lifting equipment can be used and which device would be preferable with respect to safety and
health aspects and costs. Ensure that the lifting equipment is ergonomically well designed and well
maintained.

 Risk reduction by workplace measures: improve workplace conditions to reduce the risk, e.g. by
planning the storage of building material close to the place where it is being processed and by keeping the
work site clean and without obstacles to reduce the risk of slip injuries during manual handling. Ensure that
materials that need to be lifted manually are positioned in a way that limited bending or reaching is
needed.

 Risk reduction by organisational measures such as reducing the physical task demands such as
frequency and duration of manual lifting operations, e.g. by introducing job rotation and the introduction of
breaks.

 Inform the workers to increase their awareness of risk factors present, how to recognize and avoid
unsafe working conditions and the consequences of not avoiding them. Furthermore, workers have to be
trained in using the safe and healthy working methods.
Requirements when using lifting equipment
The Employer is responsible for ensuring that lifting operations within his scope of work are carried out
safely safely and must identify one person to be in control of the lifting operation. The employer shall ensure
that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment/accessories is properly planned by a competent person,
appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. To ensure this, he should:

 nominate a competent person who is suitably trained and experienced to ensure safe lifting operations

 provide adequate resources to enable lifting operations to be carried out safely

 ensure that all appointees i.e. supervisors, crane operators and operatives with duties under this
procedure are properly trained, licensed, competent and aware of those duties

 confirm by regular monitoring that lifting procedures are being properly implemented.
At the corporate level, a safety culture should be promoted which involves a high stakeholder commitment to
identify and control occupational risk factors and improve safety and surveillance measures. Hours of work
must be controlled. Using lifting equipment safely requires concentration and long hours make this difficult.

Planning the lifting task

Before performing a lifting operation, the workers should plan and prepare for the task. They should make sure
that they know where they are going, that the area is clear of obstacles and they have a good grip on the load.
This includes training of the workers on how to handle loads correctly: their hands, the load and any handles
should not be not slippery. If they are lifting with someone else, they should both know what they are doing
before they start. For a safe performance of a manual handling task they should put their feet around the load,
with the body over it, i.e. as close as possible to the load. The lift should be performed using the leg muscles
and with straight back. The load should be as close as possible to your body. Lift and carry the load is done
with straight downward turned arms.
Requirements for lifting equipment
The employer shall ensure that lifting equipment provided for use at work is safe, i.e. that it is:

 sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use. Similarly, the load and anything attached
(e.g. timber pallets, lifting points) must be suitable

 positioned or installed to prevent the risk of injury, e.g. from the equipment or the load falling or striking
people

 visibly marked with any appropriate information to be taken into account for its safe use, e.g. safe
working loads. Accessories, e.g. slings, clamps etc., should be similarly marked

 where equipment is used for lifting people it is marked accordingly, and it should be safe for such a
purpose, e.g. all necessary precautions have been taken to eliminate or reduce any risk.
Before using mobile lifting equipment the following safety precautions should be taken:

 The working environment: Routes should be leveled, marked and planned in such a way as to avoid
potential hazards such as overhead power lines and steeply sloping ground. Where possible a one-way
system should be used. Speed limits should be required and clearly displayed, they should be reduced for
adverse site conditions and for areas near work in progress. The working environment should be kept
clean and tidy, with floors and access routes clear of obstacles. Good lighting levels are needed to ensure
that all potential hazards, e.g. obstructions and spills can be clearly seen. All stairs, ramps and other level
changes should be clearly visible and slip resistant; safety signs should be used where appropriate.

 Check machines on fuel, oil, and water levels, water, fuel, and hydraulic lines for leaks, the condition of
the tracks or tires, the condition of attachment cutting edges and teeth, visibility from the cab, windows,
mirrors and lights, worn or slippery surfaces, etc.

 If vehicles drive backwards when the driver’s rear view is obscured, the help of another worker is
required. If no one is available, the driver must walk round to the rear of the vehicle themselves to see that
all is clear and give a sound signal before starting to reverse. Additionally, these vehicles should use an
audible warning device such as a horn when driving in reverse.

 A crane operator should always move loads according to the established code of signals, and use a
signaler. Hand signals are preferred and commonly used. A signaler may be required by law if the
operator's view of the intended path of travel is obstructed. The assistance of a trained and authorized
signaler should be available when the view of the driver or operator is restricted. The signaler must be in
clear view of the operator, have a clear view of the load and equipment and keep other persons out of the
machine’s operating area.

 An unattended vehicle should have the engine switched off, and unless the vehicle is on a marked
incline the gear should be left in neutral and the handbrake on; on sloping ground the wheels should also
be chocked. Tipping bodies should be lowered when the machine is unattended, but if it is occasionally
necessary to leave them in the raised position they should be blocked to prevent their fall.

 Drivers and their assistants should wear safety shoes during loading and unloading.
Requirements for lifting of personnel
Lifting of construction personnel shall be avoided unless it is the least risk option [18]. Personnel transfer by
lifting is not permitted in hours of darkness unless specifically approved by the Site Manager and supported by
thorough risk assessment and assessment of alternatives.
The equipment used for lifting personnel for work and for personnel transfer shall be specifically designed,
certified and clearly marked as suitable for personnel lifting and should not be used for any other purposes.
Using lifting equipment which has not been specifically designed for lifting people should only occur in
exceptional circumstances, e.g. for rescue purposes.
All personnel lifts shall be classed as non-routine lifts and be subject to stringent planning and controls, risk
assessment and written authorization by the Site Manager. Before the lift, the PIC shall sign to confirm all
involved personnel have been trained and understand the lift plan and the risks involved. Pick up/set down
areas shall be of an adequate size and free from hazards affecting access and egress from the carrier.
Environmental and other limits for personnel lifts shall be set out in the lift plan with clarity on where they differ
from limits for other lifting. In case of any changes in job scope or conditions, the job shall be made safe and
stopped, risks re-assessed and a pre-job meeting executed before the job is restarted. Examples of such
changes include operat¬ing/weather conditions, day or night operations or changes in personnel or equipment
involved.
Equipment for lifting people shall be fitted with two distinct mechanisms for preventing the load from falling, one
of which shall be self-acting/fail safe. Any free-fall possibility should be locked out.
Personnel lifts shall only be conducted where there is line of sight (full visibility) between the equipment
operator and signaler, and between the signaler and the person being lifted.
A rescue plan shall be prepared for all personnel lifts as part of the lift plan. All equipment required to
implement the rescue plan shall be readily available prior to and during the lift. Rescue plans shall be practiced
at regular intervals. Note that rescue operations can introduce their own hazards; therefore the planning and
execution of rescue exercises requires particular care and attention including additional risk assessments. A
test lift without personnel shall be carried out where there is confined access, potential for snagging or other
hazard.

Maintenance and inspection

Accidents may happen because lifting equipment is not inspected and maintained regularly. All equipment
should be thoroughly examined prior to it being put into service and after there has been any major alteration
that could affect its operation. Lifting equipment may need to be thoroughly examined at intervals laid down in
an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, taking into account the manufacturer’s
recommendations. If equipment is intended to carry people, a thorough examination must be undertaken every
six months. Lifting equipment for all other purposes should be tested at least every twelve months unless a
specific inspection regime is implemented by the examining engineer. Lifting accessories do not normally need
formal inspection, provided that proper pre-use checks are made and they undergo their standard thorough
examination. All examinations must be undertaken by a competent person who is sufficiently independent and
impartial in order that an objective decision can be made.
What needs to be examined depends on the professional judgment of the competent person undertaking the
examination. For most common lifting equipment and accessories, there are standard procedures and criteria.
Methods include a visual examination and functional checks, measurements of wear, traditional non-destructive
testing and load testing.
Where an examination scheme has been drawn up, this should identify and specify the parts to be thoroughly
examined, the methods of examination and testing and the intervals for examination (and testing of the different
parts, where appropriate).

Reports and defects

Records should be kept of all thorough examinations and inspections, and of the EC Declarations of Conformity
for all lifting equipment and lifting accessories. Any defects noticed should be immediately reported to the
supervisor for correction. If any defect affects the safe operation of the machine, it should be rectified before
the machine is used.
Effective action should be taken to manage risks by ensuring the lifting equipment is not used until the defect is
remedied. Such defects must be confirmed in writing in the report, even if it is remedied immediately (e.g. by
destruction of a sling). The person making the report must also notify the relevant enforcing authority with a
copy of the report. Enforcing authorities may follow up such reports to check that risks are being adequately
managed.
From what parts a manual chain hoist
consists
Manual chain hoist is a pretty simple device considering the large amount of weight such a
tool can lift. Chain hoists are made from durable, high grade steel to ensure safety and
reliability when lifting couple of tons heavy loads. Manual chain hoist can be separated in
three different part categories: lifting chains, lifting mechanism and hooks.

Chain hoist has got two chain loops – hand chain and lifting chain. Hand chain sits on a
wheel located in the lifting mechanism, it needs to be pulled by hand in order to lift a load.
The wheel inside the lifting mechanism has got special pockets that allow the hand chain to
move the wheel. Lifting chain also loops the lifting mechanism and lifts or lowers a load. At
the end of the chain there is a grab hook, where you can attach lifting chains or slings, a
load leveler or load itself. There is also a hook on the top of the chain hoists housing. This
hook is used to attach the hoist to a ceiling mount, trolley system or other construction that
can withstand the weight a hoist will lift. Most chain hoists have swivel hooks, meaning that
they can be turned 360 degrees around to allow for easier mounting. The lifting
mechanism consists of a cog, axle, drive shaft, gears and sprockets. There is also a chain
stopper or brake on most chain hoists that prevents load from lowering under a load.

How a manual chain hoist works

The physics behind a chain hoist are very simple and have been used for lifting heavy
objects for a long time. Chain hoist uses a mechanical advantage to transform small force
over a long distance to large force over a short distance, this is possible by using multiple
larger and smaller gears in the chain hoist mechanism.

To lift a load, chain hoist operator needs to pull down the hand chain, this turns the cog
and axle which goes trough the lifting mechanism. Inside the lifting mechanism are
multiple gears which increase the mechanical work applied when pulling the hand chain for
dozen times using gear ratio, allowing to easily lift loads with multiple ton capacity.

So when the hand chain is pulled, the cog which is rotated by the hand chain turns the
drive shaft and gears which turn the load chain sprocket, this also rotates the load chain
that is looped over the load chain sprocket and lifts a load. Larger gears move slower than
smaller gears, but create more force, this is why chain hoist lifts load very slowly when
compared to a hydraulic hoist. At the end of the lifting chain is a grab hook, which allows to
easily attach and detach a load. Also, most chain hoist lifting mechanisms have a ratchet or
braking system that prevents the load from slipping back, but allows to lower a load by
pulling the other side of the hand chain.

Manual chain hoist in comparison with other

hoist types for engine lift
Chain hoists have different uses, for example in construction sites, shops, warehouses, also
in car service stations and other application, where precise lifting is required.

The disadvantages of manual chain hoists for engine lifting are:

 they are slower than other type of hoists;

 they have special requirements for installation areas, which limits places
these hoists can be used, in opposite hydraulic hoists just need a solid and
level ground.
However, there are also some advantages for using manual chain hoists
for engine lifting:
 they don’t need electricity, oil or other additional resources to work;

 they are cheaper than electric or hydraulic hoists;

 they are simple to use and easy to repair and maintain.
ROPE HOIST

Rope Hoists generally consist of a wired rope and sheaves or pulleys. They come in a variety of sizes.
Various brands of this product can be found in the market and the price range also varies in accordance
with the types found in the market.

WIRE VS CHAIN HOIST

1. The wire rope is used in this hoist whereas the chain is used in the other one. The rope is made up of
fiber whereas the chain is made up pieces of metal.

2. The chain hoist lifts by moving the chain by the socket thereby transferring the load to the container
and the latter one has a rope wrapped around the drum. The movement of the drum causes the lifting of
the lad.

3. The chained ones are cheaper in comparison to the rope ones as they need less maintenance which
means that the initial capital is low and also the future invesment in it is also low.

4. The hoists where chains are used are weaker than the rope ones. They are generally the choice for
jobs over 10 tons. They also lift much faster that chain hoists, so if you need a lot of material moved
quickly, a wire rope hoist will do the job. If your budget is low, however, or you only need less material
moved, or you just need material moved precisely, then a chain hoist will be appropriate.

Chain hoists are one of the most robust inventions that help with the movement of heavy loads.

Advantage electric chain hoists are machined in such a manner that they are hassle freeand provide a
reliable service for long periods. They are a very safe form of material handling,even in the rarest of
cases if they fail, they will just snap rather than swinging wildly.The need to lift heavy weights,
machinery, and other such goods and to place them in adifferent location is mandatory in construction
sites, manufacturing units, and factories.Employing human laborers for this task may prove risky as well
as expensive. It is advisable toseek the help of automated machines such as cranes and hoists for this
chore.You can easily come across electric chain hoists in the market. These machines help in
movingheavy goods from one place to another. They are advanced electronic machinery and used
inalmost all the industrial units, nowadays. They have a positive as well as negative side to them.

1. he various advantages and disadvantages of using an electric chain hoist can be as givenbelow:

Advantages of an electric chain hoist:

*Using them is inexpensive as compared to cranes. They also prove to be a cheaper option ascompared
to hiring workers for this task. They need not be remunerated at regular intervals.

*They are hassle free. Anybody can lift heavy goods and materials by a mere push of button.They can lift
heavy goods weighing tons, easily.

Most of the discoveries of science have made the life of human being very easy. It hasattempted to
reduce the application of physical efforts in doing any sort of work. One of themajor categories of hoist is
the Electric Chain Hoist.

Cranes and hoist are those mechanical boons that have eased the problems of carrying andlifting loads.
The following are the advantages of it: High load carrying capacity Cost-Effective Versatile Silent in
operation Higher Durability

Electric lifting devices generally have a high capacity and efficiency. This allows you tocomfortably
undertake lifting of a wide range of loads. It also contributes to the machine’sefficiency.

Much less labor is involved when working with an electric hoist. This is because of themachine’s high
carrying capacity and efficiency. It gives you significant savings on manpowerover time. Coupled with the
high performance output, this makes it a cost-effective investment.

Electric type hoists can serve you for several years if well maintained. A regular inspectionschedule helps
to keep the machine in a better working state, especially when frequently used.Both manual and
hydraulic hoists are subject to a high rate of wear and tear. Manual hoists arehighly mechanized in their
structure and functioning.
Although there are some disadvantages of it but the advantages form a higher part of it. Thepeople who
work with it should be very careful and possess proper know how about theoperation of the hoist
otherwise it may hurt the operation person. Incomplete knowledge isdangerous so it is better to be
aware of the proper guidelines of its working. Just use ElectricChain Hoist once and you shall forget
manual hoist for lifetime.

Disadvantages of an electric chain hoist:

*This automated machine runs on electricity. A power failure can disrupt work in the premise.Besides,
regular generators may also not be able to help in such a situation as it consumes a lotof power.

*Having an electric chain hoist leaves room for one more danger. Accidents such as an electricshock may
be caused because of the use of this device, if carelessness is practiced. It can evenlead to the death of a
worker.

Despite the above mentioned pros and cons, it is advisable to resort to its use. It can prove tobe
productive in premises that require lifting heavy goods, frequently. One can eliminate theworries of
moving goods from one place to another if this machinery is made use of.

Advantage Hoist engineers the finest electric chain hoists in its league. They have carved aniche as one
the best suppliers of such hoists. Quality bearings and moving parts provide for asafe machine and the
user-friendly nature of Advantage hoists is always a plus.

Advantage Hoist produces hoists that are robust & strong in structure. Low headroomrequirement for
optimum space utilization, standard precision lifting speeds for sensitive liftingand lowering operations
and brake linings with a long service life are some of the features thatset the Advantage Chain hoist
apart from its competition,

http://hoistdepot.com/2014/01/22/hoist-decisions-wire-vs-chain/