Below the Hook Safety Guide

Certags Below-The-Hook-Safety guide can be your partner to understand more about regulations and safety guidelines of below-the-hook lifting devices.

Our FREE guide contains:

• Inspection standards and requirements by equipment type
• Inspection intervals
• Inspection coding management system for periodic testing
• Tagging recommendations for your specific application

The importance of understanding below-the-hook devices safety standards

According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a below-the-hook lifting device is “a device used to attach a load to a hoist.” Slings, hooks, and rigging hardware may be included in the device…” A below-the-hook (BTH) lifting device, in other words, is a tool or mechanical device that attaches to a crane or other lifting apparatus and grabs and secures a load so that it can be safely moved from one location to another.

When using cranes and hoists, below-the-hook lifts are critical for the safe transport and movement of loads.

There are established standards for below-the-hook lifters, such as ASME B30.20 and BTH-1, which describe the design, production, operation, and inspection of this machinery.

What is the responsibility of anyone operating a below-the-hook lifting device?

Every person operating a below-the-hook lifting device has the responsibility to operate it safely therefore he or she must be trained properly. He/she must understand how to use a lifter safely and correctly and at the beginning of each shift performing a frequent inspection, which involves visually inspecting the lifter. Although they are not required, frequent inspections are a crucial step to take before using a lifter.

The severity of the lifter’s use influences the frequency of the periodic inspection, which means the more you use it, the more frequently it will require inspection.

A periodic inspection may be required on a quarterly basis or more frequently depending on the severity of use and the environment. Every quarterly or annual inspection must be recorded and visible to the lifter to ensure that the device is safe to use and there is specific information that the tag must contain in order to be compliant with industry guidelines.

Regularly inspecting your lifting devices is the best safeguard against injury, death, and property damage and ensures a safe workplace. Inspection tags and labels are therefore fundamental to ensure employees safety.