Any modifications to hoist safety gear are to comply with AS1418 Crane Code and other relevant Standards, and must be backed up by engineering calculations. Drop tests must be carried out on all hoists at least annually to confirm the effectiveness of their safety gear.
The Safety Alert requires hoists in use to be fully checked weekly by a competent service person. Under Regulation 122(18) a trained Hoist Operator is considered to be a competent person for the purpose of these checks.
In these checks all critical components of the hoist must be examined for correct alignment and lack of wear or looseness. This particularly applies to the safety gear, the winch drive and its mounting, platform rollers, limit gear and, all bolts and fastenings. The tower and platform structure must be sound.
Walco Rack and Pinion Safety Device
Walco Hoists can provide a rack and pinion safety device to replace the original safety gear on their 2-barrow hoists. The device requires a new hoist platform frame and modified tower sections. Normally the changeover is carried out by Walco Hoists, although they will provide a components kit by arrangement.
Upgrading of Existing Safety Gear
Owners of some Walco type hoists have carried out an acceptable upgrade of the existing safety gear. These upgrades have covered the following items:
- Safety gear cam shaft: Sleeves welded either side of cams to increase stiffness of shaft. Cams replaced if teeth worn.
- Link rod from sheave arm to cam shaft: Original bent round bar link replaced by double rectangular bar.
- Cam shaft bearings: Aluminium bearing blocks replaced with steel.
- Keeper plates: Aluminium plates replaced with fabricated or cast steel, through bolted on channel upright rather than attached to one flange only. Second set of keepers fitted closer to safety gear. As the keeper plates limit the horizontal movement of the platform when safety gear is applied, it is essential that their clearance from the tower angle /eg is kept to a minimum and their attachment to the platform uprights allows no significant deflection under load.
- Platform upright channels: These must be securely "boxed" in the vicinity of the keeper plates, using continuous welds.
Enquiries
The following companies can provide modifications to Walco and similar Hoists which have been checked by engineering calculations submitted to WorkCover.
All Hoist Repairs 018 272 377
Conrent (02) 9750 5900
Conveyor & Hoist Rentals (02) 9516 5855
Walco Hoists (02) 9742 5774