What is the next step after proof testing a platform?

After proof testing a platform, the appropriate next step involves a controlled process that ensures the platform's integrity and safety before it can be put into regular service. Lowering the platform at a specified rate, such as 150 feet per minute (fpm), while engaging the hoist brake is essential for ensuring the system operates safely under this condition. This step helps to verify that the braking system functions correctly and that the platform can be safely managed under operational speeds.

Proof testing itself involves applying a load to confirm the strength and stability of the platform, and the subsequent lowering with the brake engaged is a critical check to ensure the equipment can handle real-world usage scenarios without issues like sudden drops or failure of the braking mechanism. This process reinforces the reliability of both the platform and its associated hardware.

The other options involve actions that do not represent a prudent step following proof testing: increasing the load without proper checks can risk the integrity of the platform and associated systems, lifting at maximum speed could lead to unsafe handling characteristics, and removing all weights may overlook essential evaluations of the structural behavior post-testing. Thus, the specified controlled lowering step provides a systematic approach to confirming the platform's readiness for operational duties.