Hoist Daily Inspection Checklist

The first step in finding any abnormalities in the equipment is a visual inspection, which should be a part of a hoist owner’s daily operation. During an inspection, the following checkpoints for manually operated chain hoists are vital to ensuring proper operation. Read the hoist user’s manual for the specific requirements of your equipment.

• Check to ensure that hoists are not tagged, “Out of Service”.
• Verify hoist nameplates are present and complete.
• Ensure that all warning and safety labels are not missing and are legible.
• Test run to ensure that all motions agree with control device markings.
• Run the hoist through the full range of motions, all the way up and down.
• Check to make sure that there is no load drift; the hoist must hold load without any drift.
• Check for hook damage. Inspect for: cracks, nicks, gouges, twisting, deformation of the throat opening and wear on saddle or load bearing point. Refer to the owner’s manual provided by the original manufacturer.
• Check hook latch operation and inspect for wear or deformation. The latch must be present and operational.
• Deformation between the hook fitting and shank.
• Load chain inspection. Check for: nicks, gouges, deformation, flaws, heat damage, bent links, wear, stretch, corrosion,pitch elongation and proper lubrication.
• Inspect Hand Chain for deformation and pitch elongation.
• Inspect Cable Hoist wire rope for: broken wire, broken strands, kinks and any deformation to the rope structure.
• Reeving: Ensure that the chain or wire rope is properly reeved and that the rope or chain is not twisted around each other.
• Limit Switches: Check to ensure that the upper limit device stops the lifting motion of the hoist load block before striking any part of the hoist.
• Deformation and corrosion of the body frame, gear case, gears, sheaves, bearings and chain stopper pin.
• Presence of bolts and nuts.
• Wear of brake screws, linings and ratchet wheels.
• Check for any sign of oil leakage on the hoist and/or on the ground beneath the hoist.
• Check for any unusual sounds from the hoist mechanism while operating the hoist.