Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.16-2017, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists.

Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist.

Manufacturer's referenced standards.

Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists.

Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ?

If a user is not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists they must have direct supervision from a competent worker.

If not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists do users have direct supervision ?

Do you have documented policies and procedures in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ?

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist.

The use of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists can create hazardous situations.

Have Supervisors taken all precautions to protect the health and safety of every worker under the Supervisors supervision.

Have Suppliers ensured the equipment supplied is in a safe operating condition, and that it complies with this Act, regulation and the OHS Code  

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist you are using ?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ?

Manufacturer's specifications for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must be available to users

Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists kept ?

How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications ?

Prior to initial use all, new, altered, or modified Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person.

Before the first use each shift all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have a preoperational inspection completed by a designated person

What must be checked on a preoperational inspection ?

At defined intervals all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have a frequent inspection completed by a designated person

All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a designated person

All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists that have been idle for a period of more than one month but less than one year must be given a frequent inspection

All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists that have been idle for a period of more than one year must be given a periodic inspection

Excessive wear at hoist hooking points and load support clevises or pins.

Load Chain for feeding smoothly into and away from the sprockets.

Hook-retaining nuts or collars, and pins, welds, or rivets used to secure the retaining members for evidence of damage.

Missing or illegible label or labels

Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists must not be operated if Safety signs, labels, plates, or tags are missing or illegible.

The hoist chain(s) shall be seated in its chain sprockets 

Caution shall be exercised when using a hoist to manoeuver a lifting magnet.

The operator shall perform a pre-operation inspection before the first use of each shift

The operator shall avoid carrying loads over people.

General maintenance of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists should be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the conditions and practices of a particular workplace.

A preventive maintenance program should be established

Misconception 1. If you have attended a training course you are a competent rigger.

Training is only one part of being competent to carry out your job, you must also be adequately qualified and have sufficient experience.

Misconception 2. The load chain on a Hand Chain Hoist can be wrapped around the load when lifting.

The load chain shall not be wrapped around the load

Misconception 3. If fitted with a slip clutch this is set at 100% of the rated load.

The setting of a slip clutch when fitted to a hand chain hoist can vary massively from manufacturer to manufacturer. It can be as high as 160% - 200% of the WLL and can vary due to use and condition of the hand chain hoist.

Misconception 4. Latches on the Hand Chain Hoist hooks can be in the open postion when applied to a load or rigging.

When a hook is fit with a latch the latch is there to retain slings or rigging under no load conditions. Latches must be closed and must not be affected by the rigging when lifting.

Misconception 5. The chain on a Hand Chain Hoist can be used to cradle the load when lifting.

The hoist chain shall not be wrapped around the load or used to craddle the load.

Misconception 6. When using hand chain hoists as a balancing leg on a multiple point lift, a back up sling should be used in case of a hand chain hoist failure.

This is sometimes a site specific requirement but there is no legislation to say this is a legal requirement

Misconception 7. Hand chain hoists are not affected by varying temperatures.

All hand chain hoists are affected by temperature and the manufacturer must be consulted to see what temperature ranges the hoist can be used within are.

Misconception 8. Hand chain hoists can only be used as a lifting device and not be used as a balancing leg in a multi-leg lift. 

Hand chain hoists may be used as a balancing leg or as a sling in a multi leg lift as long as it is within its rated capacity and meets the requirements of the manufacturer as to its application. Many hand chain hoists have a design factor of 4:1. In cases where a 5:1 design factor is required in a multi leg lift and a hand chain hoist is used, the capacity of the hand chain hoist may have to be de-rated to achieve a 5:1 design factor.

Misconception 9. Hand Chain Hoists can be used with the hoist out of line as long as the chain is in a direct line.

The hand chain hoist shall not be operated until the hoist body, load block and load chain are directly in line with the direction of loading to avoid side pulling.