Let’s examine some fundamental guides to follow when manually lifting or lowering a load, in which the weight is solely supported by your hands without the use of any equipment. Only poly rope, ½ inch minimum size, shall be used for lowering, and raising material by hand. Small rope or line, even when strong enough, introduce significantly greater risk of injury to hands and fingers. A chain fall or another method shall be used if the risk assessment for the job shows that the load cannot be safely handled by hand. Loads exceeding 50 lbs. should not be lowered or raised by hand without supervisor approval and only if other methods are not possible. All knots used in lowering or raising operations shall be checked by another trained rigger prior to use.
- Only poly rope, ½ inch minimum size, shall be used for lowering and raising material by hand. Small rope or line, even when strong enough, introduce significantly greater risk of injury to hands and fingers.
- A chain fall or another method shall be used if the risk assessment for the job shows that the load cannot be safely handled by hand. Loads exceeding 50 lbs. should not be lowered or raised by hand without supervisor approval and only if other methods are not possible.
- All knots used in lowering or raising operations shall be checked by another trained rigger prior to use.