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Every hands-on job requires lifting, but many quickly involve objects workers couldn’t possibly lift by hand. In warehouses, employees may need to lift or haul pallets, and manufacturers of oversized goods need a way to lift heavy loads. Wire rope hoist solutions and industrial wire rope puller products are popular solutions. Beyond even these needs, though, is the more complex task of lifting people. Construction sites need secure methods for lifting people and equipment as they operate over building edges, for example. Infrastructure and municipal teams need trustworthy devices for climbing ladders, navigating around scaffolding, and completing inspections. Fire and rescue crews need equipment that can send experts into confined or perilous spaces and lift out rescued victims. This diverse array of different applications and use cases demands nearly as diverse an array of solutions, and matching the right tools to every job is a big challenge for safety directors.
Use this handy guide to see what factors should shape your decision-making process for buying, distributing, and requiring different types of lifting tools like cables, wire ropes, or chains. Alternatively, scroll down to our breakdown of what tools are exactly the right fit for specific applications.
Different Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Lifting Tools for Different Applications
Lifting applications require zero-failure hardware. However, each application has different potential hazards and complications that the hardware needs to address to provide zero-failure performance. When you need to purchase lanyards and connecting lines that suitably address unique requirements in your niche, consider the following:
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Length: Weigh length considerations such as the reach that people will need if the line is for carrying people and the available vertical space.
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Shock Absorbency Needs: Lanyards can stretch to absorb the shock of someone falling. But chains, wire ropes, and cables don't extend or absorb shock.
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Weight: Calculate the maximum weight capacity you need for equipment, cargo, and people. The materials, thickness, and other specifications will determine the total capacity. For lifting people, OSHA standards require certain minimum strengths, such as a maximum of 300 pounds per person and 5,000 pounds of force resistance for handling falls.
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Abrasion Resistance: Extreme applications have abrasive surfaces. Lines that hang over the edge of buildings and structures will encounter sharp edges, making chains a better fit.
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Fire Damage and Heat Resistance: Some applications, such as welding, will require fire- and heat-resistant materials, such as Kevlar fiber cables and ropes. Heat resistance can also help protect lifting equipment near high-heat equipment, boilers, and other sources of heat.
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Safety Compliance: The industrial wire rope puller products you purchase will need to comply with applicable OSHA regulations. In construction, review OSHA 1926 regulations, and in general industry and municipal sectors, review 1910.179 regulations.
Every situation is different, and the choices you make as a safety manager at one company may be very different than you make at another company. But by isolating the factors that matter most, you can start to zero in on the most valuable lifting options for your team or operations.
Quick Guide: When to Pick Cables, Wire Ropes, or Chains
While it's important to be able to zero in on the right cables, wire ropes, or chains for your organization's specific needs by weighing all the criteria, that can turn into a large, tedious project. Your teams need hoists and lifts that they can safely and effectively use, and starting with a short list of specific options will streamline your procurement process and help you pass internal safety audits.
Wind Applications
The ideal product for wind applications, such as wind turbine structures, is cable hoists. Cables play a key role in work position and fall protection systems, worker rescue solutions, and lifting systems for heavy equipment. Stop cable solutions should also be attached to every ladder on wind turbine towers to support safer climbing. OSHA sets specific requirements regarding the steel attachments, cable clips, gauge of cable, and other considerations, so look for products built to comply with these regulations.
Electric Power Utilities
Electric power utilities have the same requirements and work environments as wind turbine towers. The ladders need to be equipped with stop cable systems to catch workers if they fall, and cables are wear-resistant solutions for lifting equipment and supporting workers at high elevations.
Elevator Shaft Maintenance and Repairs
Welders, elevator inspectors, and maintenance technicians need protection systems that can catch them if they fall and hold them suspended as they work along vertical sections. Here, the ropes need to be able to support sufficient weight and force, but they don't need to withstand the same environmental hazards as exterior hardware systems. Wire ropes are a popular option for lifelines because they're durable and can have Kevlar fibers that withstand welding damage. Wire cables are also easy to store with minimal risk of damage on carrying and storage reels.
Fire and Rescue Operations
Fire and rescue teams need harnesses that can be lowered into potentially dangerous zones and lifted to rescue people. Wire ropes are the common choice for self-retracting lines, which allows for controlled movement up and down. Teams can also use manual wire rope reelers or manual lever chain hoist systems to extend and retract lines as needed.
Municipal Teams
Municipal construction crews must use lifting tools and fall protection systems that comply with OSHA 1926.602 regulations, as well as any other locally required regulations for your business. Wire rope hoists serve a vital role in these applications. This equipment has a pair of jaws suspended by a wire rope hoist connected to an anchor point and retracting housing, which can hoist up heavy equipment and construction material.
Work in Confined Spaces
When you need to suspend equipment and people in confined spaces, one of the most important tools you can have is a hoisting system. These can be permanent or semi-permanent hoisting arms that offer extensive lifting capabilities and suspension capabilities but have a narrow profile and small footprint. These manual lever chain hoist products create a raised anchor point from which wire ropes, cables, or chains can move up and down.
Fire Brigades and Water Utilities
Chains are often an excellent solution for applications that will need to withstand water and fire damage. Metal chains are ruggedized, hard to damage and wear through, and can be easily visually inspected for damage over time. Along with the chains themselves, purchase durable chain hoists that can handle the material and allow for quick, safe inspections, equipment handling, and materials movement.
Similarly, wire rope can also be used effectively by fire and rescue teams - particularly in the case of wire rope hoists. These can provide personnel with a portable solution that offers quick setup and reliable life-saving performance.
Find Exactly the Right Lifting Tool at Tractel
Choosing the right equipment for specialized applications that fit your budget but comply with OSHA and CCOHS regulations is a challenge, but Tractel is here to help. We can recommend the right wire rope hoist, industrial wire rope puller, and manual lever chain hoist products for different options. Reach out today or browse our selection of solutions filtered by industry.