Shut Down, Secure and Store the Hoist
Finish the shift in a known state
Shutdown is a procedure, not simply switching off. Land the platform at the designated base or landing, close and secure the gates, apply the parking brake, isolate the power supply, lock the isolator and retain the key. Complete the logbook: hours, defects, loads carried and any incident. If the site is unattended, secure the base enclosure and landing gates so the public or unauthorised workers cannot enter.
For longer shutdowns - bad weather, holidays or end of project - follow the manufacturer's storage instructions: protect exposed ropes and rack and pinion from dirt and moisture, secure loose panels, and take down or tie off as designed. Dismantling is planned work: exclusion zone, correct sequence, rigging by licensed people, and components lowered, not dropped.
Store components on firm, drained ground, stacked so they cannot fall or be damaged, with ropes coiled and protected and small parts boxed and labelled. Electrical equipment is isolated and protected from water.
Trap: leaving the platform part-way up the mast, or leaving the key in the isolator, is both a security and a safety failure. Another trap is storing mast sections on uneven ground where they bend.
Rule of thumb: at the end of every shift the hoist should be in the position, and the state, the next operator expects to find it in - and the logbook should prove it.