OSHA Regulators and National Electric Code Inspectors (NRTL) May Halt Plant Commissioning if Third Party Ratings on Hoists Are Not Available


DETROIT, MI--(Marketwire - March 1, 2010) -  In a recent interview on WVSN Industry Visions, Chris Hess, Manager of Engineering at Harrington Hoists, Inc., spoke about industrial plant operators may have huge financial concerns with loss of profit and timely operation, due to a simple requirement on hoists. That requirement is a Third Party, Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) Certification that could stop an entire operation all because proper certifications are not in place.

Hess said, "A plant's commissioning, which is a very intense process, could come to a complete halt." This all happens when building code authorities want to check plant equipment before an operation begins. It's a standard part of the code process, and therefore unavoidable.

When asked to explain third party certification, Hess explained, "Third party certification is certification from an independent company, a laboratory, whose specialty it is to review the safety of electromechanical components, on equipment such as hoists. We contracted with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), one of the premier third party certifiers in the world, and that is why we now have a UL label displayed on our NER and ER series three phase hoists. We're proud of that; it took a lot of work."

Chris then went on to discuss how UL certification can be a lengthy process. "Well first thing, you have to give UL, or the third party certifier, all of your design documents, as well as many samples. They will then review the design, and that entails lots of disassembly and checking the components against standards, as well as putting the product through a battery of tests. Once it's past the design review, it then has to go into a manufacturing review, and they come to the plant to review your factory or factories to see that they are set up to produce the product properly. Once you have done that, you have the green light to start producing the product.

"They will continue to show up, unannounced, on a quarterly basis, with procedures that say exactly what they have to audit. It is all because they need to make sure that you are producing the product exactly in accordance with the design that they reviewed."

What does all this mean? "The bottom line is, when the building code authorities show up to inspect the plant, and they see the UL label, you're automatically approved," said Hess.

Plant owners have peace of mind, knowing their Harrington Hoist is electrically and mechanically safe, and they have added confidence in performance.

WVSN Industry Visions is a national industrial talk show highlighting critical industrial issues for American industry.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Bret Lussow
Business Development Sales Manager
Harrington Hoists, Inc.
Cell Phone: 800-233-3010