Construction Site Vertical Transportation and Hoisting Equipment Safety Checklist

Hoisting equipment should undergo a daily visual inspection by the operator before use. A more thorough inspection should be conducted weekly by a competent person, and a comprehensive inspection and certification should be performed annually or after any significant repairs or modifications.

While the site manager holds overall responsibility, a designated competent person or elevator supervisor should oversee the daily operation and maintenance of temporary elevators. All operators must be properly trained and certified, and all users should be instructed in safe usage procedures.

Key areas include equipment inspection and maintenance logs, operator certification and training records, load capacity and weight distribution calculations, fall protection systems, emergency stop mechanisms, communication systems, signaling procedures, access control measures, rescue and evacuation plans, and regular safety drills.

Safety features for personnel hoists should include enclosed cages with proper guardrails, interlocked gates that prevent operation when open, overload sensors, upper and lower travel limit switches, emergency stop buttons, fall arrest systems for installers and maintenance workers, proper lighting, and clear operating instructions and capacity information posted in the hoist.

Loads should be properly balanced and secured before lifting, with weight evenly distributed and not exceeding the equipment's rated capacity. Appropriate rigging techniques and equipment should be used, with tag lines employed to control load movement. A designated signal person should guide the operator when the load or landing area is not in clear view.