Manual winches
are frequently found on the barges and towboats of the Inland
and Coastal Waterways to aid in making wire and synthetic rope
couplings. These couplings can hold a single barge to a boat,
or couple a tow of up to 30 barges together. Hand winches used
for barge wire rope couplings typically have ratings of 20 to
60 tons. This rating is the holding capacity of the winch. The
actual line pull that a crewman can place on a wire or cable may
reach nearly half the rated capacity of the manual winch. The
ability and training of the crewman to operate the winch as designed,
will affect the amount of tension he or she can manually apply
with a winch.
The
following safe work practices are critical to avoid injuries during
winch operations. For a winch to safely apply the needed tension
to wire or synthetic rope, it must be used correctly. Wire rope
and lines must be monitored so that the correct amount of tension
is being applied. Individual crewmembers cannot typically apply
enough force with a winch to go beyond the winch or wire rope
ratings.The correct laying of the winch wire or synthetic rope
is very important for safe hand winch operation.The winch cables
must have proper leads that do not cut or chafe. Wire and synthetic
rope must run out nearly perpendicular from the winch drum to
deck or dock fittings.
The
winches being reviewed in this program are all manual, and hand
operated. The wire or synthetic rope on these models is tightened
in the same manner. The key differences in the operation of these
winches, involves the tension release mechanism. Following the
specific correct operating procedures for each particular make
and model of winch is critical for personnel safety.
We
are demonstrating three sample models found throughout the Inland
and Coastal Waterways to provide common examples of safe tightening
and release practices.
