Solution Summary: Window Hoists
Window Hoists are manual lifts that helps hoist windows and frames during installation.
Description:
Window Hoists, such as the EAZI LIFTER Window Crane, is an engineering control that may help reduce lifting and carrying, overhead work, and stressful hand and wrist activity while installing windows. The EAZI LIFTER Window Crane is a lightweight and portable crane for lifting windows into multi-story buildings.
Window Hoists attach to the window opening in a building or onto a ladder to assist in the installation of windows. There are different styles of window hoists for different applications.
EAZI LIFTER
The EAZI LIFTER Window Crane weighs 30 pounds and has a maximum load capacity of 220 pounds. The crane can fit window openings from 33-60 inches and can lift windows up to 27 feet. It features a manual winch to help lift the materials into place for glazing.
Ladder Lift
The Ladder Lift weighs 38 pounds and has a maximum load capacity of 185 pounds. It attaches to the rungs of any ANSI Type IAA ladder and can lift windows to a maximum height of 30 feet. The Ladder Lift features an auto braking winch that will hold the load at any height.
Risks Addressed:
Heavy lifting and carrying can cause low back disorders, such as muscle strain or a disc herniation (“slipped disc”), which is bulging of disc material possibly pressing on the spinal cord or nerves that go into the leg. A Window Hoist can help reduce heavy lifting and carrying by allowing the laborer to use a winch to lift windows and frames into place during installation.
Overhead work can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as shoulder muscle strains; tendonitis, which is inflammation of the tendons; or rotator cuff tears, which is a rupture of a shoulder tendon. A Window Hoist can help reduce overhead work by allowing the laborer to use a winch to lift windows and frames into place during installation.
How Risks are Reduced:
A Window Hoist reduces heavy lifting and carrying and overhead work because it utilizes a winch that will lift the window into place during installation.
Wood's Power Grip Co., Inc states, “[The Ladder Lift's] winch and pulley do the lifting! Fewer backaches!"
Wood's Power Grip Co., Inc states, “[The EAZI LIFTER Window Crane] eliminates trips, falls and strains from carrying windows up stairs and around corner."
Safety and health experts believe a Window Hoist reduces heavy lifting and carrying and overhead work because it uses a winch that will lift the window into place during installation.
Effects on Productivity:
A Window Hoist may increase productivity by decreasing the time it takes to install windows on multi-story buildings.
Additional Considerations:
The EAZI LIFTER Window Crane may help reduce falls when installing windows and frames into multi-story buildings. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN5TipyEYcY
Contributors:
Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; and Benjamin Tucker, SPT – Eastern Washington University
Availability
Wood's Powr-Grip Eazi Lifter Window Crane and Ladder Lift
To obtain information, visit Eazi Lifter and Ladder Lift
or contact 1-406-628-8231
