THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.16-2017 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF HAND CHAIN OPERATED CHAIN HOISTS ALL STATE THAT USERS OF THE HOIST MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOIST. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF HAND CHAIN OPERATED CHAIN HOISTS.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021 |
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.16-2017, Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists. |
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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist. |
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Manufacturer's referenced standards. |
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Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists. |
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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 ? |
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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. |
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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 ? |
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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 ? |
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An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist. |
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The use of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists can create hazardous situations. |
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Have Supervisors taken all precautions to protect the health and safety of every worker under the Supervisors supervision. |
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Have Suppliers ensured the equipment supplied is in a safe operating condition, and that it complies with this Act, regulation and the OHS Code |
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What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist you are using ? |
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A Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must be marked with the manufacturer's name | Read Details |
A Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must be marked with the manufacturer's model or serial number | Read Details |
A Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must be marked with its rated loads | Read Details |
A Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must have attached product safety label or labels in compliance with ANSI Z535.4 | Read Details |
It is important that all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist users be knowledgeable about the safe and proper use, application of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists, be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and safety material provided with each product. In addition all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist users need to be aware of their responsibilities outlined in all applicable standards, regulations and policies
What are the training requirements for Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist users ? | Read Details |
How does your company monitor the training requirements for Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ? | Read Details |
How have users been trained in the requirements for Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ? |
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Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists | Read Details |
Manufacturer's specifications for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist must be available to users |
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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists kept ? |
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How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications ? |
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Have employers identified the hazards associated with the use of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ? | Read Details |
Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists ? | Read Details |
There are 4 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists. These are Initial, Preoperational, Frequent and Periodic
Prior to initial use all, new, altered, or modified Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person. |
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Before the first use each shift all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have a preoperational inspection completed by a designated person |
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What must be checked on a preoperational inspection ? |
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At defined intervals all Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists shall have a frequent inspection completed by a designated person |
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How often are frequent inspections completed ? | Read Details |
What must be checked on a frequent inspection ? | Read Details |
All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a designated person |
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How often are periodic inspections completed ? | Read Details |
What must be checked on a periodic inspection ? | Read Details |
Records of periodic inspections must be available to users. | Read Details |
How does your company identify a Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists has had a periodic inspection ? | Read Details |
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 |
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All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists that have been idle for a period of more than one year must be given a periodic inspection |
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A Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist is not fit for use.
Improper operation or adjustment of mechanisms | Read Details |
Unusual sounds from mechanisms | Read Details |
Improper operation of braking system | Read Details |
Excessive wear at hoist hooking points and load support clevises or pins. |
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Hooks that are damaged | Read Details |
Improper operation of hooks latches | Read Details |
Load Chain that has gouges, nicks, weld spatter, corrosion, or distorted links. | Read Details |
Load Chain for feeding smoothly into and away from the sprockets. |
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Incorrect reeving of load chain | Read Details |
Loose fasteners | Read Details |
Load blocks, suspension housings, hand chain wheels, chain attachments, clevises, yokes, suspension bolt, shafts, gears, bearings, pins, rollers, and locking or clamping devices for evidence of wear, corrosion, cracks and distortion. | Read Details |
Hook-retaining nuts or collars, and pins, welds, or rivets used to secure the retaining members for evidence of damage. |
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Load sprockets and idler sprockets for evidence of damage and wear. | Read Details |
Brake mechanism for evidence of worn, glazed, or oil-contaminated friction disks; worn pawls, cams, or ratchets; and corroded, stretched, or broken pawl springs | Read Details |
Supporting structure or trolley, if used, for evidence of damage. | Read Details |
Missing or illegible label or labels |
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The hoist and hoist mounting for evidence of missing items. | Read Details |
All Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist users must be aware that the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist capacity may change depending on the type of installation and use, the condition of the equipment or materials, the type of attachments, and the working environmental conditions it is used in.
Operators shall be aware of equipment lockout/tagout procedures | Read Details |
Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoists must not be operated if Safety signs, labels, plates, or tags are missing or illegible. |
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The hoist shall not be used to lift or lower while anyone is on the load or hook. | Read Details |
The hoist chain or rope shall be free from kinks or twists and shall not be wrapped around the load | Read Details |
A hook latch shall be used when provided. | Read Details |
The hook latch (when provided) shall be closed and shall not be used to support any part of the load. | Read Details |
The load, sling, or lifting device shall be seated in the bowl of the hook. | Read Details |
The hoist chain(s) shall be seated in its chain sprockets |
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Persons shall stay clear of a suspended load. | Read Details |
Caution shall be exercised when using a hoist to manoeuver a lifting magnet. |
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Hoists shall be used to lift loads vertically without side pull except when specifically authorized by the manufacturer(s) or a qualified person for the equipment | Read Details |
The hoist shall not be used to lift loads in excess of the rated load of the hoist | Read Details |
A load-limiting device shall not be used to measure the weight of the load. | Read Details |
The hoist chain shall be protected, so far as it is practical, from weld spatter or other damaging contaminants. | Read Details |
Gloves that interfere with the operation of the controls shall not be worn. | Read Details |
When two or more hoists are used to lift a single load, one designated person shall be in charge of the operation. | Read Details |
The operator shall test the hoist brake(s) at the start of each shift for proper operation. | Read Details |
The operator shall operate the hoist only when physically and otherwise fit. | Read Details |
The operator shall perform a pre-operation inspection before the first use of each shift |
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The operator shall not remove or obscure the safety labels, plates, or tags furnished on the hoist. | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the hoist chain is not wrapped around the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall attach the load to the hook or have the load attached to the hook by means of slings or other lifting devices. | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the load, sling, or lifting device is seated in the bowl of the hook. | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the hook latch (when provided) is closed, functioning properly, and not supporting any part of the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the hoist load chain is seated in the sprockets if there is or has been a slack condition. | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the hoist unit is centered over the load's center of gravity | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the load to be lifted does not exceed the rated load of the hoist | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that multiple-part chains are not twisting around each other when the lift is made. | Read Details |
The operator shall take up slack load chain carefully | Read Details |
The operator shall minimize swinging the load or load hook. | Read Details |
The operator shall maintain firm footing when operating lifting equipment. | Read Details |
The operator shall avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration of the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall use the hoist to lift vertically, without side pull, except when specifically authorized by a qualified person | Read Details |
The operator shall verify that the load and rigging are free to move and will clear all obstructions. | Read Details |
The operator shall avoid carrying loads over people. |
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The operator shall concentrate on operating the hoist, and do not allow attention to be diverted while operating the equipment. | Read Details |
The operator shall protect the load chain or rope, so far as it is practical, from weld spatter or other damaging contaminants. | Read Details |
The operator shall promptly report to the person responsible for the hoist any malfunction, unusual performance or sound, or damage of equipment. | Read Details |
The operator shall not leave a suspended load unattended unless provisions have been made to provide auxiliary supporting means under the suspended load, or guards or barriers are used on the floor to prevent people from entering the area affected by the suspended load. | Read Details |
The operator shall not wear gloves that interfere with the operation of the controls. | Read Details |
The operator shall lift the load block above the highest moveable obstruction under the hoist when the hoist is not in use | Read Details |
The operator shall notify the next operator or supervisor of adjustments, repairs, or replacements that need to be made | Read Details |
The operator shall not use the hoist to remove slings from under a landed load | Read Details |
A maintenance program must be established and be based on recommendations made by the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist manufacturer, a qualified person may also include additional recommendations based on their review of the Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist.
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. |
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General maintenance shall be carried out by trained and experiences persons such as mechanics, or millwrights and electricians who can perform maintenance work on hoists | Read Details |
Adjustments, repairs, and replacements shall be performed by a designated person. | Read Details |
A preventive maintenance program should be established |
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Lubrication is considered part of a preventive maintenance program. | Read Details |
All moving parts of the hoist for which lubrication is specified should be regularly lubricated | Read Details |
Hoist machinery shall be stationary while lubricants are being applied, except when lubricating load chain, unless equipped for automatic or remote lubrication. | Read Details |
Before maintenance starts if a load is attached to the hoist, it shall be removed. | Read Details |
Before maintenance starts if the hoist is suspended from a trolley, provisions should be taken to prevent movement of the trolley | Read Details |
Dated records of general maintenance should be placed on file. | Read Details |
Load chains and hand chains should be kept clean and free from any coating or deposit that will build up and change their dimensions or reduce flexibility. | Read Details |
The cleaning process shall not damage the chains and any solution used in the cleaning process shall be acid free. | Read Details |
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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Hand Chain Operated Chain Hoist. It can be used by either Workers or Employers to assess their knowledge. Click on the link below to either download or print the evaluation.
Hand Chain Hoists Competency Evaluation
The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Hoists supplied are compliant to the ASME B30.16 standard, as this is the most recognized standard used in North America. Click on the link below to either download or print the questionaire.
Hand Chain Hoist Manufacturer and Supplier Questions
These Tool Box Talks can be used as part of a safety meeting that focuses on topics related to a specific job, such as workplace hazards and safe working practices. Click on the link below to either download or print the tool box talk.
Hand Chain Hoist Tool Box Talk