A belt manlift is a device for moving passengers between floors of a building. It is a simple belt with steps or platforms and handholds rather than an elevator with cars.
The belt is a loop that moves in a single direction, so one can go up or down by using the opposite sides
of the loop.
The belt moves continuously, so one can get on when a step passes and step off when passing any desired floor without having to call and wait for a car to arrive. Belt manlifts are mostly antiquated and considered significantly more dangerous than a modern caged manlift or personnel elevator.
It requires riders to be familiar with all aspects of the belt manlift and the potential of injury or death by not following rules and operating instructions.
Rules and Operating Instructions for a Belt
Manlift
Only trained and qualified personnel may use a belt manlift.
Only one person may ride on a step at a time (no double riding per step and handhold).
When riding a belt manlift, the rider shall stand squarely on the top surface of the step in an upright position and face the belt while grasping the handhold securely with both hands.
The instructions and direction of travel are indicated on the belt.
To stop the belt while riding, pull the safety rope in the direction of travel. To restart the belt, pull
the safety rope in opposite direction of travel (before starting or restarting a belt manlift, it shall be necessary to alert all riders on the belt manlift and all others in its vicinity).
No freight, packaged goods, pipe, lumber, ladders, or materials of any kind shall be carried on a belt manlift.
No tools, except those fitting entirely within a pocket, tool pouch, or holster designed specifically for
small hand tools and attached to an employee's belt or body harness(the kind from which no tools are able to protrude) shall be carried on any belt manlift.
No placing buckets, tools, or any material on a step to transport using the belt manlift.
Unsafe conditions on belt manlifts must be reported immediately; and the belt manlift is to be taken out of service until the condition is corrected.
Top and bottom floors will have signs posted and warning lights to alert riders.
How to Use a Belt Manlift
Open the swing gate to enter the belt manlift platform of desired direction of travel. Only one person is allowed on the platform at
a time. Wait for an empty step to come along. Mounting a Belt Manlift
Traveling Up – Once the handhold comes by, grasp it with one hand and look to locate the step. The other hand can rest on the rail for support – you must be facing the belt. Once one hand is grasped on the handhold, step with one foot onto the platform. Place the other foot on the step and grasp the handhold with both hands. Position your feet side by side with toes about 1 inch from the belt. Ride the belt to the desired floor.
Traveling Down – Wait for the step to become almost level with the platform. Step onto the step with one foot and grasp the handhold at the same time. Once the handhold has been grasped, immediately place the
other foot on the step. Position your feet side by side with toes about 1 inch from the belt. Ride the belt to the desired floor.
Dismounting a Belt Manlift
Traveling Up – Once passing through the floor opening of the desired floor and level with the platform, extend one foot backward and step off the step onto the platform. Once the foot firmly contacts the platform, immediately release the grasp on the handhold and step off with the other foot onto the platform.
Traveling Down – Once the desired floor is in sight, wait
until the step is almost level with the platform, extend one foot backward and step off the step onto the platform. Once the foot firmly contacts the platform, immediately release the grasp on the handhold and step off with the other foot onto the platform.
Exit the platform and ensure the self-closing swing gate closes (if equipped).
