Selection And Use Of Lifting Equipment And Accessories
Lifting equipment falls in two categories:
- Lifting Equipment
A mechanical device used to raise, lower or suspend a load i.e cranes, winches, chain hoists, pullifts, etc.
- Lifting Accessories
An item used to connect the load to the lifting appliance i.e slings, shackles, eyebolts, swivel hoist rings etc.
Lifting activities normally fall into two categories; routine and non-routine. The former there is usually a piece of lifting equipment in place and the decisions regarding the suitability were taken well in advance to the activity happening. The non-routine tasks, there may be a piece of lifting equipment that is suitable or it may have to be specially ordered. Whatever the SWL of the lifting equipment is very important; there are numerous other factors that need to be considered.
Some of the other factors are;
- Weight of load
- Load shape and size
- Is the load fragile or hazardous
- Are there any obstructions
- What headroom is available
- Conflicting activities