What Is Lifting Equipment?

Working at heights can present many hazards, especially if the right equipment isn’t used. For instance, a cherry picker eliminates the need for dangerous scaffolding to elevate workers for task completion.

Gripping lifters function like tongs and hold round objects; drum turners help rotate large drums; magnet lifters hold magnetic metals; and more. Each lifting device is inspected and maintained to ensure worker safety.

Lifting Gear

The term ‘lifting equipment’ covers a wide range of solutions to help lift, lower and carry loads. It includes everything from cranes and hoists to forklifts and lifting bags. These are often used in industrial settings such as warehouses and factories to minimise manual handling which can be a significant source of workplace accidents and injuries.

Some of the best known examples of lifting equipment are cranes, which can be used for a variety of tasks including moving large loads and transporting them to different locations. They are used in a wide variety of industries from construction to manufacturing and shipping.

There are also a number of different types of hoists, electric and hydraulic machines that can be used to lift loads. They are available in Lifting Equipment a variety of sizes and styles to meet the specific needs of any job. There are also a range of accessories that can be used with these machines to make them more effective and safer to use. These include hooks, slings and shackles which connect the lifting device to the load.

Any equipment that is used to lift loads must be safe for its purpose and comply with the requirements of PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). Any inspection, test or examination of this machinery should be carried out by an Authorised Examiner and recorded on a PIR (Periodic Inspection Record). It’s important that any defects identified are remedied as soon as possible to ensure that risks are effectively managed.

Cranes

Cranes are massive machines that help lift heavy loads in multiple directions – up, down, and even sideways. They come in several different types, each designed for specific tasks and environments. Tower cranes, for example, dominate the skylines of cities and allow for vertical expansion, while mobile cranes can move rapidly between job sites to tackle diverse tasks.

Most cranes feature an operator cab, which is the area where an operator controls its movement and other functions. Some have a hoist and trolley, which is used to lift and lower materials, while others have hooks or lifting attachments at the end of a cable. They can also have outriggers, which extend out from the sides of the crane to stabilize it when lifting or transporting a load.

They can also have a counter jib, which extends in the opposite direction and holds counterweights to balance out loads. They have a hydraulic system that creates pressure and powers the mechanical systems that operate the boom and other features of the crane. They also have a trolley, which moves along the length of the jib to adjust its position.

To maintain efficiency and safety, it’s important to have a comprehensive maintenance program in place. This can include routine inspections, Lifting Equipment preventive repairs, and a response to any issues that may arise. For example, if the crane’s hooks break or are out of shape, this can be a serious problem and must be repaired quickly.

Forklifts

A staple of warehouses and storage facilities, forklifts allow for large quantities of materials to be moved in a more efficient manner. These heavy machines can lift cargo up to 125,000 pounds, making them valuable tools for construction projects too. They are grouped into categories according to power type, terrain and weight capacity. If you hope to work with one of these behemoths, it’s important that you receive specialized training and formal certification first. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires it to protect both you and those around you.

The forklift’s real game-changing moment occurred with the invention of hydraulic pistons. These devices are attached to two vertical structures known as masts and can be tilted in either direction. When the hydraulic system is activated, air is pumped into one of the mast’s pair of cylinders and that rise in pressure causes them to lean forward. Likewise, when the hydraulic system is turned off, the forks are pulled backwards away from the vehicle frame.

Other forklift models include side loaders, which are designed to move in a multi-directional fashion. They can pick up long loads like piping or timber from the side and maneuver in tight spaces. There are also telescopic forklifts, which use front outriggers to extend the height of their forks. This allows them to reach higher up on the warehouse roof or in the rafters of a manufacturing facility.

Material Handling Equipment

In manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and construction, countless materials need to be lifted and moved around a building. Many of these materials are heavy, large or awkward and can be difficult to move manually, requiring specialist lifting equipment. Material handling equipment makes transporting goods easier, protecting them from damage and saving on manual handling costs.

Lifting equipment can include anything from the simple jacks used in a workshop to cranes and lift trucks used on construction sites. It also includes hoists, derricks, swing jibs and davits, gantries, runway beams and monorails. It can even encompass “lifting accessories” like wire ropes, chain slings, webbing slings, shackles and eye bolts.

While a wide range of tools and devices can help you lift loads, they have different requirements for examination and inspection. This is why you should always make sure your lift equipment is fully inspected by a qualified and competent person before use.

In order to become a certified lift equipment operator, you can undertake an apprenticeship or complete an NVQ or SVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations. However, you should note that not all employers require formal qualifications to operate lifting equipment. You can also choose to take a course through the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and become certified in just two weeks. This will give you the skills and confidence to work safely at height.