A lift powered by electricity is a literal lifesaver, as you can use it to do all the heavy lifting of objects at construction sites and inside industrial facilities. The hoist is primarily employed to reduce incidents and injuries or to lift the objects that humans cannot support or lift.

Besides being used at construction sites and in factories, lifts powered by electricity are used in auto garages, dockyards, warehouses, or on large ships. Some businesses use them for removing and lifting tree stumps from the ground or to lower a lighting fixture, such as a chandelier, for dusting or cleaning.

How Does a Hoist Work?

To use an electric hoist, you need to affix it to a structure that is load-bearing, such as a mobile gantry or jib crane. Mobile gantries are used for tasks, such as material handling, or for applications that cover installation, maintenance or production. Gantries are often used on loading docks, inside machines shops, or at maintenance facilities. Jib cranes feature a jib arm, or a horizontal beam, to support a hoist and its load.

A hook eye or steel beam may also support an electrically powered hoist or lift. To keep things in balance a chain system is used, manoeuvred by an electric control pad.

A chain or web sling is used to make sure the load does not tip. The sling, which affixes to a chain hook, allows you to lift a load gradually until you make sure it is stable.

To keep loads intact or to prevent slipping or accidents, electric hoists feature a mechanism, such as a clutch, that keeps the device from taking on too much of a load. Electric powered hoists feature cut-out switches so the electricity will shut off if the equipment is overloaded or a problem occurs after loading.

How Many Lifts Can an Electric Chain Hoist Handle Hourly?

An electric chain hoist can perform about 20 lifts per hour during an 8-hour day.
Accidents that Result from Manual Lifting

An electrically powered hoist prevents the injuries that frequently occur from manual lifting. Without the use of a hoist, workers may experience the following:
  • Back pain and injured vertebrae
  • Strains or sprains from overstretching the muscles
  • Inflammation, swelling, and bruises
  • Scalding of the skin, if a load is hot
  • Finger injuries
  • Hip and leg pain
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Foot and ankle pain
If you are not careful, you can easily trip over cables when lifting a heavy parcel or drop a large object on your foot. Workers sometimes catch their fingers between the load and a wall. Twisting and turning while lifting can also cause a severe back injury.

Preventing Accidents at Work

Electric hoists greatly reduce accidents and injuries, as they prevent the problems associated with lifting heavy or large items manually. The devices keep workers safe and cut the costs associated with health claims and time off.

How Long Do Hoists Last?

If you regularly maintain an electrically powered hoist, it should last 10 years. An engineer should inspect and run tests on the equipment biannually or yearly to ensure its safe and ongoing use.