Do’s and Do Not’s
The following warnings and operating practices are intended
to avoid unsafe hoisting practices which might lead to personal
injury or property damage.
These recommendations apply to all manually lever operated
chain hoists used for lifting, pulling, and tensioning type
applications.
Warning: To avoid injury
- Do read the hoist manufacturer’s operating and maintenance instructions.
- Do be familiar with operating controls, procedures, andwarnings on the unit.
- Do make sure that the unit is securely attached to a suitable support before applying load.
- Do maintain firm footing or be otherwise secured when operating unit.
- Do make sure that load slings or other approved single attachments are properly sized and seated in the hook saddle.
- Do make sure the hook latches, if used, are closed and not supporting any part of the load.
- Do make sure that load is free to move and will clear all obstructions.
- Do take up slack carefully, check load balance, move the load a few inches, and check load holding action before continuing.
- Do make sure all persons stay clear of the supported load.
- Do avoid swinging of load or load hook.
- Do protect load chain from weld spatter or other damaging contaminants.
- Do avoid lever “fly-back” by keeping a firm grip on the lever until operating stroke is completed and the lever is at rest.
- Do promptly report any malfunction, unusual performance, or damage of the unit.
- Do inspect unit regularly, replace damaged or worn parts, and keep appropriate records of maintenance.
- Do use the hoist manufacturer’s recommended parts when repairing unit.
- Do use hook latches wherever possible.
- Do apply lubricant to load chain as recommended by the hoist manufacturer.
- Do not lift or pull more than rated load.
- Do not use the hoist load limiting or warning device to measure the load.
- Do not use damaged unit or unit that is not working correctly.
- Do not use unit with twisted, kinked, damaged, or worn chain.
- Do not apply a load unless chain is properly seated in chain wheel(s) or sprocket(s).
- Do not use load chain as a sling or wrap load chain around load.
- Do not apply a load if any binding prevents equal loading on all load supporting chains.
- Do not apply the load to the tip of the hook.
- Do not operate unit when it is restricted from adjusting itself to form a straight line with the direction of loading.
- Do not operate except with hand power.
- Do not permit more than one operator to pull on lever at the same time.
- Do not operate with any lever extension
(cheater bar).
- Do not allow your attention to be diverted from operating the unit.
- Do not operate unit beyond limits of load chain travel.
- Do not attempt to “free-chain” unit with any load applied.
- Do not use hoist to lift, support, or transport people.
- Do not lift loads over people.
- Do not leave a load supported by the unit unattended unless specific precautions have been taken.
- Do not allow unit to be subjected to sharp contact with other units, structures or objects through misuse.
- Do not allow the chain or hook to be used as a ground for welding.
- Do not allow the chain or hook to be touched by a live welding electrode.
- Do not remove or obscure the warnings on the unit.
- Do not adjust or repair a unit unless qualified to perform such maintenance.
- Do not attempt to lengthen the load chain or repair damaged load chain.
Above reprinted from Hoist Manufacturers Institute “Do’s and Do Not’s.”