What is a freight lift? 

A goods hoist is a crane, and a crane is a lifting and transportation device. It is used to move loads vertically and horizontally. The movements are of short distance and the movement is intermittent. 

A goods hoist as a crane is a platform used to transport a load guided along a mast by inclined guides to place it on high levels of buildings and their ceilings. 

Commodity extract

The mast of the goods lift, attached to a portable chassis, is similar to a ladder, which is why the whole device is commonly called a ladder or skip. 

Operating the freight elevator 

When using a freight lift, it is important to observe specific important points: 

  • checking even before starting work that the device preventing falling from the platform (due to rope breakage) is working as it should; 
  • not exceeding the permitted load capacity; 
  • daily inspection and reporting of faults and damage to machine components to the supervisor as necessary; 
  • avoiding being under the transported load; 
  • removal of the load by the operator if the load carrier stops; 
  • the use of special protective items such as a helmet/helmet, gloves or footwear; 
  • daily inspection and reporting of faults and damage to machine components to the supervisor as necessary; 
  • even and safe loading of the load on the platform; 
  • a categorical prohibition on the transport of living beings on the platform; 
  • the ability to keep a constant unobstructed view of the load-carrying element and the platform with the load on it during movement; 
  • ensuring that no bystanders, such as passers-by, are hindered in their work and that their life and health are not endangered; 
  • paying attention to wind speed; 
  • leaving the platform at the bottom when the work is finished. 

Maintenance of the goods lift 

The person taking over maintenance activities is also the operator. She is obliged to carry out the control. Her duties are: 

  • checking that the emergency stop works as it should and that the rope is in good condition;  
  • carry out a test run with an empty platform and check that the entire running track along the rail segments is free and that the limit switches at the top and bottom are working; 
  • Taking care of the following on a weekly basis: cleaning and maintaining the working area around the hoist and checking the quality of the rope for wear and corrosion; 
  • monthly care of: lubricating the pulley of the rope hoist drum, using a grease gun, and checking that the rope slack coupler moves freely, 
  • taking care on a quarterly basis: diagnosing whether the unit shows signs of failure with all safety features functioning properly and that the information plates are legible and in their places. 

Freight elevators are equipment subject to technical supervision 

Goods lifts are materials handling equipment, in other words equipment with a limited, usually overland, range, for example within a construction site. In order to be able to operate them freely, their operators are required to be authorised by the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT), gained through a board examination held at a specialised accredited facility. 

Crane maintenance

The Office of Technical Inspection (UDT) is a national legal body that has been operating locally for more than 100 years in the area of safety related to technical equipment, based on legal acts such as the Act of 21 December 2000 and in Poland. There are more than 9 field branches of the UDT and more than 20 offices. 

It is worth remembering, however, that goods lifts with a load capacity of up to 250 kg, excluding equipment used to move people, have an established form of simplified supervision - the equipment does not need to be reported to the UDT and tested, but maintenance is required and can still only be carried out by a certified operator.