Vestil AHA - Manual (Page 4)

Copyright 2011 Vestil Manufacturing Corp. Page 4 of 25
S AFETY P RINCIPLES
Vestil Manufacturing Corp. recognizes the critical importance of workplace safety. Employers are responsible for
instructing employees to use the product properly.
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Any person
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, who might foreseeably assemble, use, repair, or
perform maintenance on the crane, must read and understand every instruction BEFORE engaging in the activity.
Crane users should have access to the manual at all times and should review the directions as necessary. If you do
not understand an instruction, ask your supervisor or employer for clarification. Failure to adhere to the
directions in this manual might lead to serious personal injury or even death.
Although Vestil diligently strives to identify foreseeable hazardous situations, this manual cannot address every
conceivable danger. The end-user is ultimately responsible for exercising sound judgment at all times. Vestil is not liable
for any injury or property damage that occurs as a consequence of failing to apply the recommended maintenance and
use instructions that appear either in this manual or on labels affixed to the product.
This manual classifies personal injury risks and situations that could lead to property damage with SIGNAL WORDS.
These signal words announce an associated safety message. The reader must understand that the signal word chosen
indicates the seriousness of the described hazard.
Identifies a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
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WILL
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result in DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY. Use of this signal word is limited to the most extreme situations.
Identifies a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in DEATH or
SERIOUS INJURY.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in MINOR or
MODERATE injury.
Identifies practices likely to result in product/property damage, such as operation that might
damage the crane.
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S AFETY G UIDELINES
Failure to read and understand the instructions included in this manual before using or maintaining the crane
constitutes misuse of the product.
Electrocution might result if the crane contacts electrified wires. Reduce the likelihood that an operator or
bystander might be electrocuted by applying common sense:
 DO NOT assemble or use the crane in an area where it might contact electrified wires;
 DO
NOT contact electrified wires with the crane.
Material handling is dangerous. Improper or careless operation might result in serious personal injuries
sustained by crane user(s) or bystanders. Always apply the following:
 Before using the crane, always inspect the usage area for conditions that might require special precautions.

DO NOT use a structurally damaged/malfunctioning crane. ALWAYS inspect the crane before each use according to the
inspection instructions on p. 22. DO NOT use the crane unless it passes every part of the prescribed inspection, i.e. do not use
the crane if it is damaged.

DO NOT attempt to lift a load that weighs more than the rated load of your crane model (see Table on p. 2-3; capacity labels
on product; label placement diagram on p. 23).

DO NOT stand beneath or travel under the crane if a load is suspended, and DO NOT permit any person to stand beneath
or travel under the load.

Inform all persons in the area that you are going to use the crane; instruct them to stay clear of the crane and the supported
load during operation.

DO NOT allow people to ride on the load or climb on the crane.

ALWAYS load the crane according to “Proper loading” recommendations on p. 21. Failure to properly load the crane might
cause the load to swing as it rises; a swinging load might cause serious injury to user(s) or others as a consequence.

DO NOT use the crane if any label (see p. 12) is unreadable, damaged, or absent. Contact Vestil for replacement label(s)
as needed.

DO NOT use the crane to transport loads; ONLY use the crane to lift loads!