A construction hoist is a critical piece of equipment used in large-scale operations, such as developing high-rise buildings. While construction hoists lift and lower cargo similar to regular chain or wire rope hoists, they feature a number of important differences. For example, chain or wire rope hoists are a smaller device outfitted with a hook and pulley to lift and lower materials. Construction hoists are industrial-grade elevators used to transport people, tools, heavy equipment, and building materials.
While in use, construction hoists are exposed to different operating conditions. They also must be controlled by an operator through a device called a hoist controller. Read on to understand the exposures and controls of construction hoists.
Controlling a Construction Hoist
Construction hoists are most often controlled using a device called a hoist controller. These devices are typically handheld and feature a variety of buttons depending on the model. Some of the most common features found on a hoist controller include:
- Number of floors: Hoist controllers are programmed to lift or lower the elevator for a certain number of floors. Many times, construction hoists “know” how many floors they’ve ascended or descended through the use of sensors and a fixed camera.
- Car or landing calls: Tells elevator to stop at the next landing.
- Locks: Mechanical and/or electromagnetic locks that engage or disengage upon entrance, exit, or reaching a landing.
- Up and down buttons
- Emergency stop
What Are Hoist Exposures?
Next on our list of understanding the exposures and controls of construction hoists is uncovering hoist exposures. Construction hoists are often installed on the top of a high-rise building, thereby exposing them to the elements and other potential hazards. Before a construction hoist is used, crews should meet in what is often referred to as a pre-erection meeting. These meetings should include the owner of the construction hoist, stakeholders, the intended operator, project supervisor, and other pertinent individuals. During this meeting, the exposures and hazards should be identified and discussed. This is critical not only to keep the construction hoist performing as it should, but also for the crew’s and public’s safety.
UCEL is a globally renowned manufacturer of construction hoists used in applications around the world. For more information about construction hoists, rentals, or purchases, reach out to the professionals at UCEL.