Hoists

There are specific dangers in regard to the use of hoists on site. Regulation 30 states that the relevant contractor must so far as is reasonably practicable ensure that the risks from the installation or use of any hoist provided for the movement of workers or material on a construction site are controlled. In particular:-

• the hoist must be properly constructed of sound materials and capable of lifting the required loads
• any hoist way must be enclosed to the extent required to prevent persons being struck by the moving parts of the hoist installation or by materials being carried on the hoist
• every hoist and every hoist enclosure must be constructed so as to prevent any part of any person or any goods carried in the hoist being trapped between:-
  • any part of the hoist and any fixed structure
  • between the counterbalance weight and any other moving part of the hoist
• gates must be provided at each landing level of the hoist
• any such gate must not obstruct the movement of the hoist and must be fitted with efficient interlocking or other devices to ensure that the gate cannot be opened except when the hoist is at the landing and that the hoist platform cannot be moved away from the landing until the gate is closed
• efficient devices that will support the lift platform together with its safe working load in the event of the failure of the hoisting system must be provided and maintained, where practicable, in connection with every hoist
• efficient automatic devices must be provided and maintained in connection with every hoist that will ensure that the carrier does not overrun the highest point set for its intended travel
• the gap between the edge of the hoist platform and each landing must be as small as practicable
• signs must be placed on the hoist identifying its intended purpose and the safe working load that it can carry
• if the hoist is intended only for the movement of material, a sign must be placed making it clear that persons are prohibited from travelling on the hoist
• in the case of hoists used for carrying persons, whether or not with materials:-
  • efficient automatic devices must be provided and maintained to prevent the hoist platform from overrunning
  • every hoist platform on each side from which access is afforded to a landing must be fitted with a gate and, in connection with every such gate, efficient devices must be provided to secure that when persons or material are on the hoist platform, the hoist platform cannot be raised or lowered until the gate is closed and that it comes to rest when the gate is opened
  • in the case of a hoist where the hoist platform is suspended by a rope or chain, there must be at least 2 ropes or chains separately connected to the hoist platform, each rope or chain with its attachments being capable of carrying the whole weight of the hoist platform and its maximum working load
  • suitable efficient automatic devices must be provided that will ensure that the hoist platform comes to rest at a point above the lowest point to which the hoist platform can travel
• the hoist must be erected by trained and experienced persons, operated by trained and competent persons and only used for its intended purpose
• the hoist must be capable of being operated from only one position
• measures must be taken to prevent any person, or thing, that is being carried on the hoist platform from falling from the hoist platform or coming into contact with any moving parts of the installation or with any adjoining structures
• following erection, substantial alteration or repair of the hoist, a test and examination of the hoist must be carried out by a competent person
• the hoist must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once in every 6 months while it continues to be used

The competent person must complete a written record of an examination referred above, being a record that includes the information required by Regulation 31. See information in record of inspection.