Operating an outdoor electric hoist will help you save time by giving you the possibility to lift, lower and transport heavy loads. This might be the best way to horizontally transport equipment or to lift supplies. Regardless of what the electric hoist is used for, it is important to follow a few simple rules to prevent accidents.
The work site needs to be set up so that there is sufficient clearance around the electric hoist. The clearance needed depends on the size of the items that will be lifted and transported with the hoist. Create some pathways that can be used by workers without being in the way of the outdoor electric hoist to prevent accidents.
The outdoor electric hoist you use needs to include a few safety features. For starters, all the moving parts need to be properly covered to avoid accidents. There should also be brakes or stops to prevent the hoist from moving too quickly or from travelling too far. The operator should easily have access to these controls and should be properly trained.
Using an electric hoist outdoor poses some unique challenges that you wouldn’t encounter in another environment. You need to assess these challenges and take action to prevent issues. For instance, if you work on a site where mud is everywhere, you need to properly cover the hoist to make sure that mud will not get in the gears.
You also need to protect the electric hoist from water and humidity. Operating the electric hoist in a covered area is a good solution if precipitations are to be expected. You should also use a hoist for outdoors use since it should already have all the safety features you need.
You also need to make sure the loading capacity of the electric hoist will be respected. Choose a hoist that is adapted to your needs and make sure the workers who will be loading the hoist are aware of the maximum capacity. It is best to develop a set of best practices that everyone can follow to prevent this type of mistakes.
Problems can occur if loads are not properly attached to the electric hoist. The outdoor electric hoist you use probably includes a hook where the load can be attached but the best way to secure a load depends on what you are transporting. It might be best to use two hoists if you need to transport or lift long materials and more stability is needed.
Accidents can easily be prevented by using common sense, choosing an outdoor electric hoist adapted to your needs and by only letting qualified personnel operate the hoist. You should develop some best practices that make sense for your work site and make sure everyone is aware of the potential risks associated with loading or operating the electric hoist. Perform a few tests before you start using the hoist to make sure everything is in working order and that the hoist can safely travel without coming in contact with cables or with other equipment.