Knowing the Right Safety Procedures for Lifting Equipment in Material Handling

Safety is a crucial aspect when it comes to material handling due to the fact that a large number of material handling related accidents are reported each year in the United States. While material handling devices promote user safety, they can also cause injuries if not used with proper safety equipment and procedures.

Ensuring worker safety is of utmost importance for any organization, especially those dealing with heavy materials and material handling equipment. In this article, we will discuss the proper safety procedures to follow while using lifting equipment for material handling.

Articulating Jib

Articulating jib cranes are used to lift and transport heavy loads in factories and warehouses across multiple industries. These cranes make the heavy lifting easier and safer in comparison to manual lifting. However, the operators must be careful while using these to avoid accidents and injuries.

• To begin with, you must call professionals to install your articulating jib crane. This way, you can make sure that the device is properly mounted and its base can securely withstand the load’s weight.
• Another thing to ensure is whether your articulating jib is tested and certified before use. Like any other material handling device, these should be inspected before they are used.
• After your articulating jib is installed and has been in use for some time, look out for common warning signs that can cause safety issues. These signs include debris or small items on the runway, loosened or missing bolts, structural damage on the device and cracked welds.
• The operator must check if the articulating jib’s arm slides smoothly.
• Moreover, the operator can execute a stable lift by making sure that the arm is positioned right above the load and close to the load’s center of gravity.

Air Hoist

Air hoists are positioning devices used to lift or move heavy material loads. Air hoists make it easy to lift loads, making them an ideal choice for various manufacturing and assembly operations. But observing precaution is necessary while using air hoists.

• Ensure that the operator inspects the hooks, ropes, brakes and limit switches on the hoist for wear and tear or damage. This should be done on a daily basis.
• Before lifting any load, check both the hooks (upper and lower) to ensure that they can swivel properly.
• Replace chains or wire ropes that show signs of wear, damage, or corrosion immediately. Mark the chain or rope that is defective and remove it from service.
• Schedule regular detailed inspections for preventative maintenance of air hoists. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the device’s operation.
• Lastly, ensure that the safe load limit is posted on the hoist and never overload the hoist.

Other lifting equipment

When using other lifting devices such as industrial manipulators, air balancers and inline lifters, the safety guidelines are the same as those mentioned for articulating jib and air hoist. Additionally, ensuring that the operators and workers use protective gear such as helmet, gloves, eye protection, etc while using any kind of lifting device is important for safety. Regular maintenance of all equipment is also necessary. Lastly, it’s advisable to follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines for any kind of material handling equipment.