avoid submerging in water and after river crossings always take the line out to inspect and dry
line must be re-wound onto winch under tension correctly
wear gloves - especially if using steel cable winches
do NOT operate winch when intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
winch rope itself should not be used as a tow rope
ensure remote for winch is NOT connected whilst setting up rigging
ensure rope/cable is not worn, frayed, kinked or damaged
do not hook the winch rope back onto itself - use a choker or sling instead
don't join ropes with knots as these weaken - there are far safer methods
open the vehicle bonnet for added protection to windscreen
operate winch 30secs on and 30secs off to reduce draining battery (with vehicle running to keep battery charged)
never engage or disengage the winch clutch if the winch rope is under tension or if the winch drum is turning
keep hands and loose clothing clear of the winch rope and fairlead rollers during winching
the winch rope fastener on the winch will not support heavy loads therefore, never winch when there are less than 5 wraps of winch rope on the winch drum or a full drum width coverage when a synthetic rope is used
NEVER attach to a tow ball - this may become a lethal missile
avoid unnecessary heavy objects in the line such as metal shackles
use line dampeners - one in the middle and one near the far end of the line
all people well out of the line of fire if a line breaks
good communication strategy with the person in control of the winch - ONLY ONE PERSON should be in control of the winch
ensure the driver is the LAST person out and the first person into the stranded vehicle - don't want passengers in an out of control vehicle rolling down a hill!
don't straddle the line
ensure the anchor is safe - do not attach to a dead tree (it may be hollow and fall) or a small tree (it may be uprooted) and attach as low as possible to minimise chance of uprooting the tree
once the line has been placed under some tension, CHECK ALL PARTS of the line BEFORE commencing winching
where possible don't attach the dual line back to the recovery vehicle with the winch - use a tree instead to reduce stress on the vehicle chassis (this won't help though if your winch vehicle is the stuck vehicle)
do NOT reverse the winch vehicle as you winch to recover another vehicle as the forces may cause catastrophic damage and injury - preferably no one should be inside the winch vehicle unless needed to apply the foot brake (automatics should not be put in Park - preferably use a ground anchor instead)!
where possible winch line should be coming straight out of the winch when winching - extreme angles will result in winch line piling up unevenly on the winch