The operation of an overhead hoist involves more than activating the hoist’s controls. Per the ANSI/ASME B30 standards, the use of an overhead hoist is subject to certain hazards that cannot be mitigated by engineered features, but only by the exercise of intelligence, care, common sense, and experience in anticipating the effects and results of activating the hoist’s controls. Use this guidance in conjunction with other warnings, cautions, and notices in this manual to govern the operation and use of your overhead hoist.
4.2Shall’s and Shall Not’s for Operation
WARNING
Improper operation of a hoist can create a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury, and substantial property damage. To avoid such a potentially hazardous situation THE OPERATOR SHALL:
•NOT lift more than rated load for the hoist.
•NOT operate unless load is centered under hoist.
•NOT use damaged hoist or hoist that is not working properly.
•NOT use hoist with twisted, kinked, damaged, or worn chain.
•NOT use hoist if the bottom hook is capsized (double fall hoists - see Section 3.11).
•NOT use the hoist to lift, support, or transport people.
•NOT lift loads over people.
•NOT apply load unless load chain is properly seated in the load sheave (and idle sheave for hoist with two chain falls).
•NOT use the hoist in such a way that could result in shock or impact loads being applied to the hoist.
•NOT attempt to lengthen the load chain or repair damaged load chain.
springs, shock absorbers, stoppers, striker plates or limit locks.
•NOT leave load supported by the hoist unattended unless specific precautions have been taken.
•NOT allow the chain, or hook to be used as an electrical or welding ground.
•NOT allow the chain, or hook to be touched by a live welding electrode.
•NOT remove or obscure the warnings on the hoist.
•Be familiar with operating controls, procedures, and warnings.
•Make sure the unit is securely attached to a suitable support before applying load.
•Make sure load slings or other approved single attachments are properly sized, rigged, and seated in the hook saddle.
•Take up slack carefully - make sure load is balanced and
•NOT operate hoist when it is restricted from forming a straight line from hook to hook in the direction of loading.
•NOT use load chain as a sling or wrap load chain around load.
•NOT apply the load to the tip of the hook or to the hook latch.
•NOT apply load if binding prevents equal loading on all load supporting chains.
•NOT operate beyond the limits of the load chain travel.
•NOT operate hoist with missing/damaged chain
•Make sure all persons stay clear of the supported load.
•Protect the hoist’s load chain from weld splatter or other damaging contaminants.
•Report malfunctions or unusual performances (including unusual noises) of the hoist and remove the hoist from service until the malfunction or unusual performance is resolved.
•Make sure hoist limit switches function properly.
•Warn personnel before lifting or moving a load.
•Warn personnel of an approaching load.
20