THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.21-2014 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF LEVER 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 LEVER HOISTS.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021 |
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.21-2014, Lever Hoists. |
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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Lever Hoist. |
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Manufacturer's referenced standards. | Read Details |
Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Lever 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 Lever 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 Lever 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 Lever 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 Lever Hoists ? |
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An employer must identifiy responsibilities for the user of a Lever Hoist. |
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The use of Lever 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 Lever Hoist you are using ? |
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A Lever Hoist must be marked with its rated loads |
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A Lever Hoists control actuators must be marked with the direction of resultant motion |
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A Lever Hoist must have attached product safety label or labels in compliance with ANSI Z535.4 |
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A Lever Hoist must be marked with the manufacturer's name |
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A Lever Hoist must be marked with the manufacturer's model or serial number |
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It is important that all Lever Hoist users be knowledgeable about the safe and proper use, application of Lever Hoists, be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and safety material provided with each product. In addition all Lever Hoist users need to be aware of their responsibilities outlined in all applicable standards, regulations and policies.
What are the training requirements for Lever Hoist users ? |
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How does your company monitor the training requirements for Lever Hoists ? |
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How have users been trained in the requirements for Lever Hoists ? |
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Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements of Lever Hoists |
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Manufacturer's specifications for the Lever Hoist must be available to users |
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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Lever Hoists kept ? |
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How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications ? | Read Details |
Have employers identified the hazards associated with the use of Lever Hoists ? |
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Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Lever Hoists ? |
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There are 4 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Lever Hoists. These are Initial, Preoperational, Frequent and Periodic
Prior to initial use all, new, altered, or modified Lever Hoists shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person. |
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At defined intervals all Lever Hoists shall have a frequent inspection completed by a designated person |
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How often are frequent inspections completed ? |
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What must be checked on a frequent inspection ? | Read Details |
All Lever 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. |
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How does your company identify a Lever Hoists has had a periodic inspection ? |
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All Lever 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 Lever Hoists that have been idle for a period of more than one year must be given a periodic inspection |
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Before the first use of each shift a Preoperational Inspection shall be performed |
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What must be checked on a Preoperational Inspection |
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A Lever Hoist must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the Lever Hoist is not fit for use.
Improper operation or adjustment of mechanisms | Read Details |
Unusual sounds from mechanisms | Read Details |
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. |
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Load Chain for feeding smoothly into and away from the sprockets. |
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Incorrect reeving of load chain |
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Loose fasteners | Read Details |
Load blocks, suspension housings, levers, 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-retainining nuts or collars, and pins, welds, or rivets used to secure the retaining members for evidence of damage. | Read Details |
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 illegable label or labels | Read Details |
The hoist and hoist mounting for evidence of missing items. | Read Details |
Hoist lever for bends, cracks, or other damage | Read Details |
Damage to the support for the hoist | Read Details |
All Lever Hoist users must be aware that the Lever 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.
The supporting structure or anchoring means shall have a load rating at least equal to that of the hoist. | Read Details |
The operator shall be familiar with all operating controls of the hoist | Read Details |
Hoists shall be used only in locations that will allow the operator to be free of the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall have firm footing or otherwise be secured before operating the hoist. | Read Details |
The operator shall have access to the operating lever. | Read Details |
The operator shall not operate a hoist that bears an "Out-Of-Order" sign. |
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The operator shall not adjust or repair a hoist unless qualified to perform maintenance on the hoist. | Read Details |
The chain shall not be used as a ground for welding. | Read Details |
A welding electrode shall not be touched to the chain or any other part of the hoist. | Read Details |
Hoists shall not be operated by other than hand power of one operator. | Read Details |
Hoists shall not be operated with an extension on the lever. | Read Details |
The hoist chain shall not be wrapped around the load. | Read Details |
The load shall be attached to the load hook by suitable means. | Read Details |
The sling or other device shall be properly seated in the base (bowl) of the hook. Hook latch shall not be allowed to support any part of the load. | Read Details |
The load shall not be applied to the tip of the hook. |
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Before applying the load, the operator shall be sure the load chain is not kinked or twisted or that multiple parts of the chain are not twisted about each other. | Read Details |
The hoist shall not be operated unless chain is properly seated.. |
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The operator shall not apply a load beyond the rated load appearing on the hoist or load block, except during properly authorized tests. | Read Details |
Hoists shall not be operated until the load block, chain, and hoist body are directly in line with the direction of loading to avoid side pull. | Read Details |
The hoist body or frame shall not bear against any object or the supporting structure. | Read Details |
Specific attention should be given to balancing of the load and hitching or slinging to prevent slipping of the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall not release the hoist lever until the ratchet and pawl is engaged or the brake has set, and the lever is at rest. |
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The operator shall not engage in any activity that will divert the operator's attention while operating the hoist. | Read Details |
The operator shall not apply a load to the hoist until the operator and all other personnel are clear of the load. | Read Details |
The operator shall make sure a load clears any obstacles before moving. | Read Details |
A load shall not be moved more than a few inches until it is well balanced in the sling or lifting device. | Read Details |
When starting to lift or pull, the operator should move the load a few inches and then check the hoist for proper load holding action. The operation shall be continued only after the operator has verified that the hoist is operating properly. | Read Details |
The hoist shall not be used to lift, support, or otherwise transport people. | Read Details |
The operator should avoid carrying loads over people. |
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The operator should not leave a loaded hoist unattended unless specific precautions have been instituted and are in place. | Read Details |
A maintenance program must be established and be based on recommendations made by the Lever Hoist manufacturer, a qualified person may also include additional recommendations based on their review of the Lever Hoist application and operation.
A preventive maintenance program should be established | Read Details |
Preventative maintenance of Lever Hoists should be based on the recommendations outlined in the manufacturer's manual |
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Replacement parts shall be at least equal to the original manufacturer's specifications. | Read Details |
Conditions disclosed by the inspections that are determined to be a hazard during continued operation shall be corrected by adjustment, repair, or replacement before continuing the use of the hoist. | Read Details |
Adjustments, repairs, and replacements shall be performed by a designated person. | Read Details |
Components shall be adjusted or repaired as needed. | Read Details |
Repairs or replacements shall be made as needed. | Read Details |
All moving parts of the hoist for which lubrication is specified should be regularly lubricated. | Read Details |
Load chain should be kept clean and free from any coating or deposit that will build up and change the dimensions of the load chain or reduce flexibility. The cleaning process shall not damage the chain, and any solution used in the cleaning process shall be acid-free. |
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Load chain should be lubricated as specified by the hoist manufacturer or by a qualified person. |
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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. When operating a lever hoist, the operater can use as much force as required on the lever hoist handle. Hoists shall not be operated by other than the hand-power of one operator. Hoists shall not be operaterd with an extension on the lever. Most manufactuerrs have a maximum allowable force that can be applied for full load rating to be achieved. |
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Misconception 3. The lever hoist chain can be wrapped around the load when lifting. The hoist chain shall not be wrapped around the load |
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Misconception 4. The lever hoist chain can be used to craddle the load when lifting. The hoist chain shall not be wrapped around the load or be used to craddle a load. |
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Misconception 5. 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 lever 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 lever hoist. |
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Misconception 6. Latches on the lever 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 7. When using lever hoists as a balancing leg on a multiple point lift, a back up sling should be used in case of a lever hoist failure. This is sometimes a site specific requirement but there is no legislation to say this is a requirement |
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Misconception 8. Lever hoists are not affected by varying temperatures. All lever hoists are affected by temperatures and the manufacturer must be consulted to see what temperature ranges the hoist can be used within are. |
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Misconception 9. Lever hoists can only be used as a lifting device and not be used as a balancing leg in a multi-leg lift. Lever 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 lever 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 lever hoist is used, the capacity of the lever hoist may have to be de-rated to achieve a 5:1 design factor. |
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Misconception 10. Lever hoists can be used with the hoist out of line as long as the chain is in a direct line. The lever 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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Misconception 11. It is acceptable to operate the lever hoist while the load is suspended when the lever hoist is being used in a multiple sling lift to balance a load. The operator shall not apply a load to the hoist until the operator and all other personnel are clear of the load |
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This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Lever 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.
Lever Hoist 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 B30.21 standard, as this is the most recognized standard used in North America. Click on the link below to either download or print the questionaire.
Lever 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.
Lever Hoist Tool Box Talk