General Safety Warnings
- PRIOR TO USING ANY PRODUCT FROM THIS WEBSITE OR CATALOG, CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW ALL AVAILABLE INSTRUCTIONS, WARNINGS AND SAFETY INFORMATION THAT ACCOMPANIES AND THAT IS ON THE PRODUCT.
- IT IS THE OWNER’S/USER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO EVALUATE THE SUITABILITY OF ANY CARGO SECURING DEVICE OR OTHER PRODUCT FOR ANY PARTICULAR NEED OR APPLICATION. CHECK ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, STATE, INDUSTRY, TRADE ASSOCIATION, AND LOCAL REGULATIONS.
- ALL RATINGS REFERENCED IN THIS WEBSITE OR CATALOG ARE FOR PRODUCTS IN NEW CONDITION. AGE, WEAR, DAMAGE, DETERIORATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE CAN GREATLY REDUCE STRENGTH. ALL PRODUCTS SHOULD BE REGULARLY INSPECTED AND ANY WORN, CUT, AGED, DAMAGED, MISUSED, OVERUSED, OR IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED PRODUCT SHOULD NOT BE USED AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AND REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.
- IN MOST CASES, THE WORKING LOAD LIMITS REFERENCED IN THIS WEBSITE OR CATALOG ARE RATED AT ONE-THIRD OF THE BREAKING STRENGTH. RATINGS ARE BASED ON A STRAIGHT TENSILE PULL. LOAD DIRECTIONS OTHER THAN STRAIGHT CAN RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN BREAKING STRENGTH.
- LISTED BREAKING STRENGTHS DO NOT IMPLY ANY PARTICULAR WORKING LOAD LIMIT.
- ALL CARGO RESTRAINING ASSEMBLIES OR SYSTEMS ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS THE WEAKEST COMPONENT, INCLUDING THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT. CAUTION: NEVER EXCEED THE WORKING LOAD LIMIT OF ANY COMPONENT.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS, WARNINGS, AND PROPER USE, CARE AND INSPECTION CRITERIA MAY RESULT IN CARGO DAMAGE, SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH. THESE PRODUCTS ARE USED ENTIRELY AT THE USERS' OWN RISK. USE OF THESE PRODUCTS DEMONSTRATES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WARNINGS AND THE RISKS INVOLVED.
WINCH WARNINGS:
- All PCC winches have been manufactured to ensure proper pawl-to-gear/sprocket engagement through the force of gravity when positioned, installed, and used properly. Winches should be installed so the user can readily see the pawl to ensure proper engagement. Winches should never be installed in a position where the user must hold the pawl to engage the gear/sprocket tooth. All winches except bolt-on, portable and slider winch designs, must be welded to the trailer frame or sound structural element. Minimum welding requirements are 1/4 inch fillet weld, 4 inches long on both sides of the winch frame and 1/8 inch penetration. Welding may emit toxic fumes. Welding should only be done by trained personnel with adequate ventilation and proper safety equipment.
- To ensure user safety when tightening or loosening winches, always maintain a firm grip on the winch tightening bar. Never release a winch bar from its leveraged position without visually checking the pawl to ensure that it is fully engaged between the gear/sprocket teeth. Releasing a winch bar without the pawl being properly engaged can cause serious injury to the user or bystanders. Pacific recommends the use of a slip resistant handle winch bar specifically designed to tighten or loosen winches. Only winch bars designed to be used with winches shall be used to tension and release the tiedown. (PCC Winch Bar Part No.s 7002, 7003, 7004, 7005, and 7005-R, refer to PCC's Flatbed Products section on the website or PCC's Flatbed Products Catalog).
- Winches should never be used as pulling or lifting devices.
- "Cheater Bars" or "Extenders" should never be used with any winch bar.
- All binders should be checked frequently during cargo transit and re-tensioned as required by Department of Transportation Regulations, 49 CFR Part 392, Section 392.9(b)(2)&(b)(3) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Part 396, Section 396.3.