Top 6 Passenger Hoist Safety Violations & How to Prevent Them
16 June 2025
When it comes to passenger hoists for high-rise construction, safety isn't simply compliance; it's your primary weapon against delays, legal costs, and injury to workers on-site. In the B2B construction environment in India, specifically the metro cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, contractors are already under pressure to ensure vertical transport systems are both efficient and fully safe.
This blog discusses the most common safety breaches regarding passenger hoists and ways to ensure that they do not occur. This is an essential read for project managers, site engineers, safety personnel, and EPC contractors.
The Most Common Passenger Hoist Safety Violations
Overloading Overrated Capacity
Problem:
Operators exceed the weight or passenger limits to maximize effectiveness/quell urgency.
Risk:
Structural failure or mechanical damage could compromise lives and personnel/lift equipment.
Solution:
Load checks should be mandated using Safe Load Indicators (SLIs).
Lack of Regular Load Testing
Problem:
Many rental hoists are delivered to the site with no recent load test documentation.
Risk:
Failure under high-stress loading conditions could be catastrophic.
Solution:
Never take a rental hoist without a third-party certified load test report.
Installation Practices
Problem:
Anchoring to weak structures or bad angles.
Risk:
The system could tip or fail catastrophically.
Solution:
Utilize ISO documentation-certified installation crews.
Operators Under-Training
Problem:
With labor shortages on a massive scale, hiring unqualified people is commonplace.
Risk:
Poor operation during peak periods or in emergencies.
Solution:
Make sure training operators are certified from approved training centers.
Ignoring SLI / ACD Integration
Problem:
Contractors can overlook these modern safety technologies for budget reasons.
Risk:
Collisions or overloads can go undetected.
Solution:
Make sure specified hoists can be used with Safe Load Indicators (SLI) and Anti-Collision Devices (ACD).
Ignoring Wind & Load Balance Monitoring
Problem:
Hoists are often put into operation during high wind conditions.
Risk:
Cages that swing or uncontrolled lifts
Solution:
Wind speed should always be monitored, and hoists should not be used in these conditions.
Overloading and untrained operators are top causes of site incidents.
2. Are SLIs and ACDs mandatory on all hoists?
They're not always legally required but are becoming a standard safety norm across India's top EPC firms.
3. How do I verify if a hoist is CE certified?
Look for documentation from the manufacturer and check labels on control panels.
4. Is it possible to retrofit ACD/SLI into older hoists?
Yes, we offer retrofit-compatible systems for most models.
5. How often should hoists be load-tested?
Ideally, every 3-6 months for continuous usage or before any new deployment.
Final Word
Every safety violation is preventable. If you're renting or buying a passenger hoist for your next project, demand safety-first equipment, expert training, and certified systems.
