Hoist safety comes from a correctly chosen, regularly inspected hoist being used by trained people who follow the right rules. Most hoist accidents are not caused by the hoist itself but by a badly attached load, an overloaded hoist or someone standing under the load. The 12 rules below apply to monorail, fixed and chain hoists alike. You can also use them as a list to hang next to the pendant.
When you lift a load with a two-leg sling, the force on each leg increases as the angle between the legs gets wider. The load weighs the same, but the sling legs are under more strain:
| Angle between the legs | Force on each leg |
|---|---|
| 0° (both legs vertical and parallel) | Half the load |
| 60° | About 58% of the load |
| 90° | About 71% of the load |
| 120° | The full load |
So at an angle of 120 degrees, each leg is under as much strain as if it were carrying the whole load on its own. This is why the angle between the sling legs should generally not go above 120 degrees and, where possible, should be kept below 90 degrees. If the angle is wide, use a longer sling or a lifting beam.
The operator must always be able to see the load and its path. Where the view is blocked, or on long runs, a signaller should guide the load, and the operator and the signaller must know the same hand signals. On monorail lines, the operator needs to walk with the load at a safe distance while it travels.
A hoist with too little capacity for the job, or one with too low a duty class, will be overworked even when the rules are followed. For the right capacity and class, see how to choose hoist capacity. For hanging the beam correctly, see monorail beam and installation.
A worn chain, wire rope or hook has a direct effect on safety. Replacement crane hooks, hoist chains and wire ropes are kept in stock. For maintenance and breakdowns, you can reach us through our service and spare parts page.
The person using the hoist must be trained for the job and authorised by the employer. Some types of crane also require a separate operator certificate. The best approach is to check with your occupational health and safety specialist which certificate your workplace needs.
If a sling breaks, the load slips, a connection comes loose or the brake fails, the load can fall without any warning. No one should be under the load.
No. A hoist is made to lift a load straight up from directly below it. Pulling at an angle and dragging strain the chain, the rope and the mechanism, and can make the load swing out of control.
The wider the angle, the greater the force on each leg. At 120 degrees, each leg takes as much strain as the full load. This is why the angle should generally not go above 120 degrees and, where possible, should be kept below 90 degrees.
Lower the load to the ground slowly and safely, stop using the hoist and hang an out of order tag on the pendant. This is usually a sign of brake wear or a fault in the adjustment, and the hoist needs servicing.
If the hook does not stop at the top, it can hit the hoist body. If it does not stop at the bottom, the chain or rope can run out completely. Both carry a risk of serious damage and accidents. Limit switches should be tested at the start of every shift.
We explain what a monorail hoist is, how it works, its parts and types, and how to choose the right model, all in one place.
Read more: What Is a Monorail Hoist? Types, Parts and How to Choose One →Why can two monorail hoists with the same capacity have very different prices? We explain the eight factors that set the price and how to get the right quote.
Read more: Monorail Hoist Prices: 8 Factors That Determine the Price →We compare chain and wire rope hoists in a single table and explain, with examples, which one is the better choice for which job.
Read more: Chain Hoist or Wire Rope Hoist? Choosing a Monorail Hoist →The load, the lifting height and the beam length. Send them on WhatsApp or give us a call and we'll come back with a model and a price.
