Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A winch is classified as a lifting device because it is specifically designed to lift and lower heavy loads by winding or unwinding rope, cable, or chain. It uses mechanical advantage to perform tasks that would be otherwise challenging to accomplish manually, making it integral to various construction and industrial applications. Winches can be powered by manual effort or more commonly by electric or hydraulic systems, allowing for efficient and safe lifting operations. This categorization as a lifting device emphasizes its role in assisting with moving heavy materials, which is crucial for maintaining safety and productivity on construction sites.

The other classifications, such as protective equipment, hand tool, or safety measure, do not accurately describe the function or nature of a winch. Protective equipment is designed to safeguard workers from hazards, hand tools are typically operated by hand without an external power source, and safety measures refer to practices or regulations aimed at reducing risk. Therefore, the answer identifies the correct context in which a winch is used in the realm of construction and safety.