Electric Winch

Become familiar with the user manual. Be sure to read and understand how to use the winch properly. Winches are used for pulling not for lifting.

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The following general safety precautions will reduce the risk:

Operator must be trained to know and understand the use of the winch and how to perform safe winching operations. Sturdy gloves should be worn to protect hands from injury, particularly when handling the wire rope.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR PREPARING A RECOVERY TASK

The following safety precautions must be implemented when preparing a recovery task:

• Practice using the winch before you need to use it.
• Don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery. They can be caught in moving parts. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
• Do not rush. Take the time to plan and prepare carefully.
• Estimate the load to be winched.
• Use the correct equipment and do not take shortcuts.
• Recheck the condition of the wire winch rope and any other equipment being used for serviceability and any obvious damage.
• Ensure that the winch controls (remote pendant) are not plugged into the winch while setting up.
• Do not exceed the rated safety capacity of the wire rope.
• Never use a winch as a hoist. Winches are for pulling not for lifting.
• Do not use the winch rope as a tow rope.
• Do not use the winch rope to secure cargo on a vehicle.
• Do not attach a winch rope to a vehicle’s tow ball, axles or suspension.
• Use the hook strap supplied with the winch to pull the winch rope from the drum.
• Endeavour to set up the rope so that it is retrieved at a 90 degree angle to the winch drum. (straight pull) This will ensure that it is rewound onto the winch drum evenly and will avoid the damage and delays when over stacking and binding occur.
• Do not hook the rope back onto itself. Use a choker chain or sling instead.
• Remove any obstructions which may interfere with the safe winching operation. 
• Ensure that any anchors used are strong enough to hold the load .
• Place a bag or a blanket over the winch rope to minimise cable whiplash damage if it breaks. In the absence of a bag or a blanket consider using a heavy jacket or leafy branches.
• Only allow one person to handle the rope and the winch controls.
• Establish no go safety zones for assistants and onlookers.

Safety while winching

• Keep the remote pendant lead clear of the winch drum and winch rope.
• To avoid damage when using the remote pendant from the driver’s seat, route the remote lead through the open driver’s window, not though the door seals.
• Always stand clear of the winch rope and keep onlookers well clear during the winching operation.
• Consider opening the vehicle’s bonnet to give the operator additional protection if the winch rope breaks.
• Don’t touch or cross a winch rope that is attached or in tension.
• Ensure no one is standing behind a vehicle that is being winched up.
• Avoid continuous winching that imparts significant side loads onto the winch.
• Never engage or disengage the winch clutch if the winch rope is under tension or the winch drum is turning.
• Keep hands and loose clothing clear of the winch rope and fairlead rollers during winching.
• Never winch when there are fewer than five wraps of winch rope on the winch drum, or a full drum width coverage when a synthetic rope is used.