5.11 SAFE USE OF LIFTING AND PULLING MACHINES

The machine must not be used to raise, lower or suspend a load that is in excess of the SWL marked on the machine. When using multiple units to lift or pull, care must be taken to ensure that the share of the load taken by any one machine does not exceed its SWL

Owing to the action of the machine, kinks, however slight, must not be allowed to form in the rope. Such kinks may be produced by incorrect unreeling, forming the rope into a sling or looped eye, etc. These practices should be prohibited. Similarly, ropes with broken wires should not be used as only one broken wire can jam in the mechanism of the machine rendering it inoperative.

For the manually operated machine, only the handle provided by the manufacturer should be used. Under no circumstances should this be extended by the use of tubing or bars thereby increasing the leverage. In general, one person should be able to operate the machine up to its SWL. This should be borne in mind as if it is found that more than one person is required, it may indicate that the load exceeds the SWL of the machine. This is not intended to preclude the use of two persons to operate the machine, which may in certain applications be found advantageous, but is to indicate the degree of operating effort normally required.

In addition to the above, it should be noted that it is dangerous to attempt to operate both raising and lowering levers at the same time and no attempt should be made to do this.

Where overload prevention devices are fitted, their integrity must be maintained and under no circumstances are they to be over-ridden. Shear pins in the operating lever, where fitted, are such a safety device and if they fail it is evident that the machine has been overloaded in some manner. It is therefore unsafe to take any measures to interfere with the operation and function of the pins.