High Risk Work Licence - Materials Hoist (HM) key terms

A powered lifting appliance that raises and lowers goods, not people, on a guided platform or cage running between fixed guides, used on construction and industrial sites to move materials between levels.

The enclosed platform that carries the load on a materials hoist. It has sides, a gate or barrier, and a floor rated for a stated load, and must never be used to carry personnel.

The maximum load in kilograms that the hoist is designed and certified to lift safely under stated conditions, shown on the data plate and never to be exceeded during any lift.

The working load limit assigned to the hoist or its rigging after applying the required safety factor to the breaking strength, forming the figure operators must plan every lift around.

A document or plate supplied with the hoist that lists permitted loads at various configurations, such as height or radius, and which the operator must consult before lifting an unfamiliar load.

A device or system that detects when the load exceeds the rated capacity and prevents further lifting, warning the operator so the excess load can be removed before the lift continues.

The vertical steel sections that constrain the hoist cage to a fixed path, keeping it aligned and preventing sway. They must be plumb, securely tied to the structure, and free of damage or obstruction.

The vertical structural tower of the hoist that supports the cage, guides, and drive machinery. It must be correctly assembled, plumbed, tied to the building, and inspected before use.

The connection that anchors the hoist mast to the building or structure at specified intervals to resist wind and operational loads. Missing or loose ties are a serious structural hazard.

The base or footing that carries the hoist's weight and load into the ground. It must be designed for the imposed loads, be level, drained, and free of undermining or settlement before erection and operation.

A safety device that stops the hoist cage at a set upper or lower travel point to prevent over-travel, collision, or rope slack. It must be tested during function checks and never bypassed.

The mechanism that holds the hoist cage and its load stationary when power is removed and stops motion in a controlled way. Brake performance must be verified before every shift of use.

A design principle where a component or system defaults to a safe condition, such as a brake applying, when power fails or a fault occurs, so that hazards are not created by the failure itself.

A clearly marked, readily accessible control that immediately cuts power to the hoist motion in an emergency. It must be tested regularly and must not be used as a routine stopping method.

The barrier at each landing or floor level that keeps people from falling into the hoistway and prevents access to the cage until it is level and secure. It must be self-closing or kept closed.

A marked area beneath and around the hoist where people are not permitted during lifting, to protect them from falling loads, movement, and ejected material. It must be controlled and enforced.

Physical barriers such as hoarding, fencing, or tape used to keep people out of the exclusion zone and away from the hoist base, landings, and travel path. It must be sturdy and clearly visible.

Warning and information signs that identify the hoist, state that it carries materials only, show the rated capacity, and direct people away from the exclusion zone and landing areas.

The systematic check of the hoist before each use or shift, covering structure, ropes, guides, gates, controls, brakes, and safety devices, with results recorded and faults reported before operation.

An operational test of the hoist's controls and safety devices, such as limit switches, emergency stop, and brake, carried out after inspection and before the first lift to confirm correct performance.

The formal process of recording and notifying the responsible person of any defect found on the hoist, tagging it out of service where needed, and not returning it to use until repaired and verified.

A tag attached to a defective or unsafe hoist or control to warn others that it must not be operated until the fault is corrected and the tag is removed by an authorised person.

A procedure that isolates energy sources and applies locks and tags so equipment cannot be started or energised during maintenance, inspection, or repair, protecting workers from unexpected movement.

Planned and corrective work, including servicing, adjustment, and repair, carried out by competent persons to keep the hoist in safe working condition in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and records.

A written or electronic log of inspections, tests, maintenance, and repairs kept for the hoist, showing dates, findings, and actions taken, and available for review by regulators and supervisors.

A person who has the training, qualification, experience, and knowledge to perform a task safely, such as inspecting, erecting, or maintaining a hoist, and who can identify defects and hazards.

A formal licence issued by a regulator that authorises a person to perform specified high risk work, such as operating a materials hoist, after training, assessment, and competency verification.

The legal obligation of employers, supervisors, and workers to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of themselves and others affected by their work activities.

The legal entity, such as an employer or sole trader, that has the primary duty to ensure health and safety so far as reasonably practicable, including providing safe hoists, training, and supervision.

The process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm, and deciding on controls, carried out before hoist operations and reviewed when conditions or tasks change.

The ranked order of risk controls, from eliminating the hazard through substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, to personal protective equipment, used to choose the most effective control reasonably practicable.

The process of recognising sources of potential harm at the hoist, such as falling loads, unguarded edges, electrical exposure, or poor ground, so they can be assessed and controlled before work begins.

A written document that sets out the work to be done, the hazards involved, the controls to be applied, and the sequence of steps, required for high risk construction work including hoist operations.

Standard hand, radio, or whistle signals used between the hoist operator and the dogger or spotter to direct movements safely, agreed before work and used consistently by all parties.

A licensed worker who slings and directs loads and communicates with the hoist operator using agreed signals, ensuring loads are balanced, secure, and clear of people before lifting.

A length of chain, wire rope, or synthetic webbing used to attach a load to the hoist. Slings must be rated, inspected for damage, and used within their safe working load.

The documented steps to follow in an emergency such as a stuck cage, power failure, fire, or injured person, including raising the alarm, isolating the hoist, and evacuating or rescuing safely.

The actions taken after an accident or near miss, including making the area safe, first aid, notifying the regulator and responsible person, preserving evidence, and recording the event for investigation.

A pre-arranged method for recovering a person trapped on or near the hoist, including equipment, trained personnel, and communication, practised so rescue can occur without further injury.