Belt manlifts are used grain handling facilities and flour mills.
According to the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a belt manlift is "a device consisting of a power-driven endless belt moving in one direction only and provided with steps or platforms and handholds attached to it for the transportation of personnel from floor to floor."
When using a belt manlift:
Make sure you are trained and authorized by your employer.
Always face the belt and use both hands to grasp the handhold.
Do not use the manlift to handle freight, packaged goods, pipe, lumber, or construction materials of any kind, or carry tools and equipment.
Pull the rope in the direction of travel to stop the manlift.
Report any deficiencies or safety issues immediately to your supervisor.
Ensure that adequate lighting is provided at each landing and the top floor red warning light is operational.
Do not store
materials or equipment at entrances and exits to the manlift.
According to OSHA 1910.68 Manlifts, manlifts must be inspected by a competent designated person at intervals of not more than 30 days.
Limit switches must be checked weekly. Manlifts found to be unsafe must not be operated until repaired.
At a minimum, the periodic inspections must cover:
Steps and step fastenings.
Rails, rail supports, and rail fastenings.
Rollers, slides, belt, and belt tension.
Handholds and fastenings.
Floor landings and guardrails.
Lubrication.
Limit switches.
Illumination, warning signs, and lights.
The drive pulley, bottom (boot) pulley, and clearance.
Pulley supports.
The motor.
The driving mechanism and brake.
Electrical switches
Vibration and misalignment.
A certification record must be kept for each inspection to include the date of the inspection, signature of the person who performed the inspection, and the serial number or other identifier of the manlift which was inspected.
Remember, safety doesn’t have to be difficult, simple steps, such as facing the belt and firmly grasping the handholds when riding a manlift, can prevent injuries and save lives.
