You can take specific actions on the job site to improve the operational reliability of your construction hoists (buck hoists) for your next project.
Here is a quick checklist for your site supervisors:
- Ensure daily inspections are completed as required. Please note that this is a mandatory requirement under national safety regulations. While this inspection takes less than five minutes at the start of the workday, it saves significant time by preventing future delays caused by breakdowns. CNWH provides an easy-to-follow checklist during operator training. If your operators are unsure of the procedure, please contact us, and we will gladly provide additional training.
- Allow only trained operators to operate the construction hoist. This is not only a smart move but also a requirement for safe operation. Never allow untrained personnel to operate the hoist simply for the sake of convenience.
- Empower trained operators to report subcontractors who misuse the hoist. Loading and unloading materials—especially when using motorized carts—is a common source of problems. If a cart strikes the hoist gate, it can cause misalignment or damage, leading to avoidable downtime.
- If any abnormalities (visual or audible) are detected while the hoist is running, contact CNWH immediately so we can dispatch a trained technician for inspection. Issues such as loose switches, difficulty opening gates, or unusual noises are quick and easy to fix if caught early. Waiting until the hoist breaks down completely can worsen the problem and cause delays at critical moments.
- We have been active in this industry for over 28 years. Our data and experience show that by diligently following this checklist, you can prevent 92% of the issues that cause hoist downtime. The best part is that performing these checks costs nothing extra, yet saves you significant time and money by preventing breakdowns.
We’ve been in this business for over 40 years and, based upon our data and experience, if you are diligent in following the list above you can avoid 92% of the issues that can cause disruption of your buck hoist operation. The good news is that keeping up with this list has no cost to you and has the potential to save tons of time and money when a breakdown is avoided.
If you are interested in learning more about the importance of buck hoist reliability, contact our team.