Personnel Hoist and Construction Elevator Safety

Key Hazards

• Falls through open hoistways or unprotected landings
• Workers struck or crushed by moving cars, gates, or doors
• Overloading with workers, tools, and materials
• Malfunction of controls, brakes, interlocks, or communication
• Materials projecting from the car or shifting during travel
• Unauthorized operation or access to machinery and hoistways

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Personnel Hoist and Construction Elevator Safety requires workers to recognize the task-specific hazards before work begins and to use the controls established for the project.

The site should establish authorized operators, inspection and testing requirements, capacity limits, landing protection, loading rules, communication, emergency procedures, and restrictions for materials and public access.

Cars, towers, gates, doors, interlocks, controls, brakes, limit devices, communication systems, and landing enclosures should be inspected and maintained by qualified personnel.

Rated capacity and occupancy limits should be posted and followed, with tools and materials secured so nothing projects, shifts, jams a gate, or interferes with operation.

Landing gates should remain closed except for loading and unloading, and workers should never bypass interlocks, open doors between landings, or enter the hoistway.

Passengers should stand clear of gates and moving parts, wait for the car to stop and align, and follow the operator's loading, travel, and emergency instructions.

Failures, unusual noise, misalignment, door problems, uncontrolled movement, and emergency stops should be reported and the hoist removed from service until evaluated.

The hoist should not operate when inspections are overdue, gates or interlocks fail, capacity cannot be controlled, communication is unavailable, or the car does not stop and align normally.

Safety Reminders

• Use only authorized operators.
• Follow posted capacity and occupancy limits.
• Keep landing gates and car doors closed.
• Secure tools and materials inside the car.
• Never bypass an interlock or enter the hoistway.
• Know emergency communication procedures.
• Remove the hoist from service for abnormal operation.

Ask the Crew

• Are current inspections and tests documented?
• What capacity and loading restrictions apply?
• Are all landing gates and interlocks functional?
• How will materials be secured during travel?
• What is the emergency procedure for a stopped car?