Detachable lifting aids – Safety

Moving a particular load is done with special devices such as detachable lifting devices. These are the tools used to attach the load to the hoist or machine. The safety and use of these products are important for both the manufacturer and the user. Any detachable lifting device must be used for the purpose for which it was designed.

To ensure a safe and correct procedure, it is imperative to comply with the regulations set by the equipment. For the manufacturer, the design phase is about how the product is developed, tailored to the user’s needs, and designed so that it can be used safely and correctly. Every load movement involves risk and, with it, the question of safe use.

The latter is defined in SIST EN 13155:2021, the Machinery Safety Regulation, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Safety and Health in the Use of Work Equipment Regulation. The provisions imposed by the standard, legislation, and policy must also be taken into account in actual use, as this is the only way to ensure all conditions for safe working.

Working safely with detachable lifting devices is also a major challenge for the user, who must be sure that he can use them safely. The purpose of the detachable lifting device is to ensure all safety requirements for load bridging when used as intended.

Due to the particular nature of the load, a combination of one or two different types of detachable protective equipment is often required instead of just one. In this case, the correct procedure for using the detachable lifting device is very important, namely combining the correct load with the intended load.

There is a wide range of detachable lifting equipment available to suit the process, purpose, and location. Thanks to advances in development, transporting loads is becoming easier and safer. Equipment maintenance, regular inspections, and proper storage are also important parts of safety.

Disciplined and consistent adherence to the safe use of these resources and the removal of damaged equipment ensures that all the conditions for safe working are in place, which is essential. However, as the life of a product is not unlimited, it is important how we dispose of the product without harming the environment.

Social responsibility is also important, and we need to ensure that, where possible, waste produced is reintegrated into the manufacture of a new product. Caring for the environment is also a concern for the health of us all.