Material Handling Definitions

Links to referenced material

Designated load: The specified size, shape, and weight of material to be lifted.
Designated person: A person selected or assigned by the employer or the employer's representative as being competent to perform specific duties.
Normal operating conditions: Conditions during which a lifter is performing functions within the scope of the original design.
Qualified person: A person who, by possession of a recognized degree in an applicable field or certificate of professional standing, or who, by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter and work.
Rated load: The maximum load for which the equipment is designated by the manufacturer.
Service, heavy: That service, which involves operation within the rated load limit that exceeds normal service.
Service, normal: That distributed service, which involves operation with various weights within the rated load limit, or uniform loads less than 65% of rated load.
Service, severe: That service, which involves normal or heavy service with abnormal operating conditions.

Friction-type pressure gripping lifters: Lifters that grip the load without significant or harmful permanent deformation of the load surface.
Indentation-type pressure gripping lifters: Lifters that carry the load by applying force to indent the sides of the load.
Ingot turnover grab: A manipulating lifter.
Lifting beam (spreader beam): A load supporting lifter.
Lock bar sheet lifter: A supporting lifter.
Manipulating Lifter: A lifter that rotates the load about one or more axes during the lifting process.
Mechanical lifting device: A mechanism composed of two or more rigid parts, which move with respect to each other for attaching a load to a hoisting device.
Structural lifting device: A lifter consisting of an assembly of rigid parts designed to hold and attach a load to a hoistway device.
Supporting lifter: A lifter that carries the load on rigid projection(s) or bearing surface(s).

Chain/hand wheel: A device for manually operating a lifter.
Grip ratio: The ratio of the sum of horizontal forces on one side of the load to the live weight of the load.
Gripping force: The force the lifting device exerts on the load.
Latch: A device for holding a lifter in the open or closed position.
latch, automatic: A sequencing latch mechanism operated by lifter motion.

Qualified Operator: A qualified operator is a person who meets and or uses all the specifications explained in ASME B30 Section 20-1.6. The person shall be properly trained in all aspects of the lifting device and the the load that is to be lifted. The operator shall be fit to perform the lift. The operator shall only use properly operating equipment and only use it in a manner it was intend to be used and only for materials it was to be used upon. When the lift is completed, the operator shall store the lifter in safe assigned location.