Safety alert issued over hoist gate failures

NSW WorkCover recently issued a safety alert about hoist gate failures, following a number of recent incidents in which clamps that secure the landing bar of hoist-landing platforms have slipped, allowing the gates to fall free.

It was noted in the safety alert that the clamps used in these incidents were not fit for purpose, in which small landing-beam clamps (50 mm) were installed on large landing platforms (greater than 1500 mm).

These incidents highlight the need for hoists to be installed as per the manufacturers, suppliers and designers specifications, according to NSW WorkCover’s industry plant consultative committee.
For current hoist installations, the committee recommended that employers inspect and verify the adequacy of the landing-beam clamps and, if specified in the design, determine whether secondary clamps have been installed.

Furthermore, from 1 September 2010, any new hoist gate installation must incorporate the larger (100 mm) landing-beam clamps – which includes new gate installations and hoists being raised.

The committee also recommended designing each hoist installation with regard to site-specific conditions, and when the installation is complete, obtain a “handover” certificate that certifies compliance with AS1418.1, AS1418.7 and the site-specific design.

“This certificate should also certify that double clamping and flexible steel wire rope lanyard installations have been checked, where specified in the design,” the safety alert said.