Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
Winch-operated hoists and lifts.
47. An employer shall ensure that—
(a) where a hoist or lift is operated by means of a winch, the winch is so constructed that the brake is applied when the control device is not held in the operating position, and
(b) a hoist is not operated by a winch where it is fitted with a pawl and ratchet gear on which the pawl has to be disengaged before the carrier can be lowered.