Hoists are an invaluable component to work sites in several major industries here in Indiana and Illinois, from construction, automotive, and mining to warehousing, manufacturing, maritime, and logging. The failure or misuse of smaller manual hoists may result in minor worker injuries; however, there is a real danger of catastrophic or fatal injuries to workers in larger hoists such as material hoists or personnel hoists.
Serious hoist accidents involve tremendous weight on the machine as well as the positioning of the hoist at a great height. As a result, even the smallest human mistake, product error, or design defect can result in horrific worksite accidents with severe or deadly bodily injuries as a result.
What are Hoists?
Hoists are used to move people or property in a vertical direction, up or down. Small hoists can be powered manually, using pulleys and gears to transport things like tools or raw materials. Larger hoists may or may not be powered by hand, with gears and chains used to move a load like an engine out of a motor vehicle for servicing or replacement.
The largest type of hoist is powered with electricity, hydraulics, or air/pneumatic systems. These hoists are usually stationary machines on the work site that may have been installed under the supervision of a professional engineer. They can move a heavy load of materials or warehouse stock, or a crew of workers or tradesmen from the ground level to the rooftop of a construction project or mine shaft, e.g., material hoists and personnel hoists. A hoist operator will be in charge of its operations.
Duty to Keep Workers Safe from Hoist Dangers on the Job
Regardless of the industry involved, employers have a legal duty to make sure that anyone working in, on, or near a hoist on the work site is kept safe from harm in a hoist accident. The extent of safety will depend upon the type of hoist involved on the project.
The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) publishes standards for most types of hoists used in this country. These should be understood and followed by the employer as well as those responsible for the installation, repair, and maintenance of the hoist.
Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a series of federal regulations in place that pertain to keeping workers on the job safe from hoist accidents. These include:
- 29 CFR 1926.552 – Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators; and
- 29 CFR 1926.554 – Overhead hoists.
Among the safety requirements for hoists are things like:
- No person shall be allowed to ride on material hoists except for the purposes of inspection and maintenance (1926.552(b)(1)(ii));
- Gates or bars protecting the entrances to hoistways shall be equipped with a latching device (1926.552(b)(2)(ii));
- The operator’s station of a hoisting machine shall be provided with overhead protection equivalent to tight planking not less than 2 inches thick. The support for the overhead protection shall be of equal strength (1926.552(b)(4));
- All material hoist towers shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer (1926.552(b)(7)); and
- The safe working load of the overhead hoist, as determined by the manufacturer, shall be indicated on the hoist, and this safe working load shall not be exceeded. (1926.554(a)(1)).
The workers are entitled to rely upon those in custody and control of the hoist not only to have planned, prepared, and installed each hoist on the job site in a reasonable and prudent manner but that the powers-that-be ensure regular and routine inspections are conducted of all the hoists in operation, with safety plans in place for halting the use of any hoist that poses a threat of failure or harm.
Variety of Hoist Accidents
Hoists can cause harm in all sorts of ways. Something falling off a hoist from a height can hit and harm a worker on the level below. A worker can slip and fall from a hoist suffering fatal bodily injuries. Improper lift loads may cause the entire hoist to collapse, resulting in numerous accident victims with a range of catastrophic injuries. Suspension failures are another example of a potential hoist collapse with deadly results. Electrocution can happen to workers who come into contact with live wires on hoist power lines.
For more on serious injuries on the job site, read:
- Fatal Construction Work Accident: Injuries from Being Struck By Object
- Caught In-Between Hazards: One of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” Deadly Construction Accidents
- Construction Worker Deaths: Almost Half of All Construction Fatalities Caused by Falls
- Electrical Injuries and Electrocution Accidents on the Construction Site
- Electricity Injuries: Fatal Electrocution Accidents.
Justice for Victims of Hoist Accidents in Indiana and Illinois
In the aftermath of a serious or fatal hoist accident here in our part of the country, the accident victim and the victim’s loved ones may have avenues for justice available to them under the state laws of Indiana and Illinois. In some instances, federal law may provide potential legal recompense after a hoist accident on the job.
The failure of the employer, installer, contractor, engineer, and others who had a legal responsibility for the proper design, installation, use, repair, and/or maintenance of the hoist may be held legally liable for the consequences of a catastrophic hoist accident. Legal claims may be made based upon negligence, product liability, defective products, workers’ compensation, and/or wrongful death.
An independent investigation of the hoist accident by advocates for the hoist accident victim will be undertaken to determine the cause(s) of the incident. Expert analysis of the hoist itself, an inspection of the job site, interviews of accident witnesses, and more may be necessary to determine the extent of liability in these matters. Questions to be asked include:
- Was there overloading (exceeding the lift load maximum)?
- Was there a failure to inspect the hoist?
- Were there unrepaired and damaged component parts?
- What instruction and training were given to the hoist operator?
Workers in Indiana and Illinois deserve safe working conditions. Unfortunately, some of our most successful industries (e.g., construction, steel mills, automotive) are also notorious for providing some of the most dangerous worksites in America.
For more, read:
- Indiana Remains Top Steel Producer in the Nation: The Deadly Dangers of Steel Production
- Warehouse Accidents: Workers in One of the Deadliest Jobs in Indiana and Illinois
- Industrial Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Serious Injury or Death on the Job
- The Most Dangerous Jobs in America Are Still the Most Deadly in 2021
- Fewer Worker Deaths Nationally But Increase in Fatal Work Injuries in Indiana.
Hoists on the job site are in daily use and workers depend upon them not only to help get the job done, but to keep everyone safe from harm while at work. Hoist failures can be deadly. Please be careful out there!
