Overview
- Variety of types & sizes
- Lifting devices
- Trained operators
- Inspections
Cranes and hoists and their associated lifting devices (hooks, chains, slings, etc.) are found all over campus and in a variety of sizes and styles allowing trained operators to lift a variety of items within a dedicated area. They may be as simple as a stationary 250 lb. manual chainfall hoist that lifts a lid on a vacuum chamber or as challenging as a traveling 15-ton bridge crane moving concrete bridge spans.
Exhibit A is an engine hoist. Exhibit B shows a lifting hook with a safety latch that has been damaged. Exhibit C shows a jib hoist crane. The black hoist is the part that actually lifts and lowers the item. It runs as a trolley on the orange rail to the desired location within the area it can reach.
Most lifting equipment should have been selected and installed as a permanent fixture in the room as part of a Facilities project under the guidance of a knowledgeable vendor and/or engineer. Cranes and hoists are subject to specific OSHA/ANSI regulations, which require among other things, user qualifications and annual inspections by a qualified vendor. You’re not likely to find cranes and hoists in most laboratories. But, if you would encounter one bring it to the attention of the assigned Specialist. It would be helpful if you could take a photo and note the location so that we can be sure that the crane/hoist is on the annual inspection inventory. Discuss your observations with the audit reviewer and the EHS staff person responsible for the Crane/Hoist Program to determine if anything should be cited under this checklist item.
Some hazards to be aware of are: equipment not listed on the annual inspection inventory, missing lifting capacity rating markings, defective or deformed lifting devices/chains/slings, overloading or unstable loading, illegible markings on controls, lack of operator training.