Safety Guidelines for the use of mechanical Lever Hoists

Before using mechanical lever hoists, it is important to ensure you have the knowledge to demonstrate safe operation to avoid unnecessary injury.
 The following is general safety guidance for mechanical lever hoist operators.
 1、Inspect mechanical lever hoists before use.
 2、Do not use a mechanical lever hoist to lift or support people. 
 3、Assess risks and follow procedures with your experience, knowledge, and training. 
 4、Do not allow anyone under a suspended load, or anyone other than the operator within proximity to a load under tension.
 5、Do not attempt to lengthen or repair the lifting medium (chain, wire rope or web strap).
 6、Do not use the lifting medium (chain, wire rope or web strap), or the hooks, or any other part of the mechanical lever hoist as a ground for welding.
 7、Before operating a mechanical lever hoist read the manual and understand how to safely and properly use the mechanical lever hoist. 
 8、Do not operate if the mechanical lever hoist, its lifting medium (chain, wire rope or web strap), and its hooks are  restricted from forming a straight line from hook to hook in the direction of  loading. 
 9、Do not use a mechanical lever hoist in a way that causes its hooks to be side loaded. 
 10、Do not support the load on the tip of a hook  unless the hook is designed for tip loading.
 11、Do not wrap the lifting medium (chain, wire rope or web strap) around the load or item being pulled .
 12、Do not allow a welding electrode to be  touched to the lifting medium (chain, wire rope or web strap), or the hooks, or any other part of the lever hoist. 
 13、Do not remove or obscure any warning labels on the lever hoist.
 14、Do not operate a lever hoist that is damaged or has any actual or suspected malfunction. Report any hoist with actual or suspected malfunction or damage to your supervisor. 
 15、Check the load to be lifted for proper lifting points. Some equipment has lifting points built in while other items such as electric motors may have eyes in the top of the motor that are used in the manufacturing plant and distributor’s warehouse, but are not designed to be used in the workplace. This is especially true in the oilfield as motors and bolts are subject to corrosion that can weaken the thread connection of the eye bolt. It is best to use a basket type sling making a figure eight around the ends of the motor to pick it up or use a device specially designed to pick up electric motors
 16、Avoid damp environment or damp weather, e.g. rain. Always put the mechanical lever hoist in a dry airy area.
 17、Load  chains worn-out or elongated beyond the permissible dimensions must be replaced at once. Replace the entire load chain immediately if even one link of the load chain is extensively worn-out, elongated or damaged.
 18、Do what the manufacturer recommend about lubricating the mechanical lever hoist.
 19、If the hook opening is elongated beyond the permissible dimension, the hook is dangerously deformed and must be replaced at once. No deformation of the hook will arise when the lever hoist is used and maintained properly.
 20、Proper lubrication will be beneficial to lengthen the life of the lever hoist. See if the lever hoist is well lubricated before storing check. It is especially important that you should ensure the moving parts such as gears and bearings are well lubricated.
 At last, remember a lever hoist can make your job much easier, but if misused or treated badly, it can be an accident waiting to happen.