Why are winches used less frequently in construction lifting operations

The lifting and hoisting operations on construction sites are very frequent. In the past, winches were commonly used lifting and hoisting equipment on construction sites, which could lift heavy objects up and down and horizontally pull heavy objects. They have provided force for many major lifting operations. However, now that large lifting machinery and hydraulic lifting thrusters are becoming increasingly common, we rarely see such equipment on construction sites.

It is precisely because the frequency of use of winches on construction sites has decreased that many construction workers do not understand their correct usage methods, and even operate them according to the methods of lifting equipment such as electric hoists and tower cranes. In fact, this can easily bring many safety hazards. For engineers, standardized lifting methods mean work efficiency and personal safety. Below are a few operational requirements for construction workers regarding winches:

1. Before use, check the grooves, axles, clamps, hooks, and other components of the pulley to ensure that there are no cracks or damage. The pulley should rotate flexibly and lubricate smoothly.

2. After starting the winch and applying a slight force, check that the pulley is in the correct force state and that there is no contact or friction between the winch rope and other objects.

3. Check that the fixed pulley system and the movable pulley system are aligned with the wheelset and cannot deviate. Once they deviate, if the two pulley systems approach each other and the pulleys are not aligned, the rope may break and cause a rope fall accident.

4. Open pull plate pulleys shall not be used for guiding pulleys.

5. The distance from the winch to the door pulley shall not be less than 20 times the length of the winch drum, and the step size shall be at least 20 large steps.