An Overview Of Pump Lifting Chains

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Some industrial corporations use submersible pumps for pumping out water from deep beneath the earth’s surface and such processes typically demand the use of special lifting equipment that can lower and lift the pumps during pumping operations. Pumps, which are normally situated at great depths, require a tall gantry and a long standard chain to be lowered and lifted. Such purposes are supported by the use of a special kind of chain called the pump lifting chain.

Because these chains are expected to endure wet conditions, they are made out of stainless steel. Commonly, the chains are made of grade 80 or grade 316 stainless steel and sometimes, chains made of grade 80 high-tensile steel are also used to support operations in less demanding situations. The chains come in different link sizes that have different capacity ratings and can support the lifting of pumps of various sizes. Notably, the chain features a larger master link at every one meter increment, which allows it to be fixed to the hoisting equipment at one metre intervals. This is what makes the lifting process slower and safer at the same time.

So how does the pump lifting chain work? The process is initiated by placing a tripod system or a frame over the hole through which the pump is to be inserted. The first master link on the chain is then attached to the hoisting equipment and it is lifted to a level where the third big link comes to the same height as the top of the hole. After that, a pole or a bar is inserted through the link and it is laid over the top of the hole itself. This is what allows the top master link to relax, which, in turn, allows you to remove the top master link easily. The hoist is then lowered to the level of the second link, which is located just above the top-most link. The bar is then removed and the hoist is lifted to a certain height. The process is repeated till the pump is lifted up. The process is slow, but it works.

Things that you should consider before purchasing a used electric hoist

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If you are looking to invest in a second-hand electric hoist, you may come across some really great bargains and capitalise on your investment provided the equipment you choose has been maintained properly and is now in a functional state. A second-hand electric hoist that is maintained in a good state will not only come for a low-cost, but would also function like a new device. This boils down to the fact that you can use a second-hand electric hoist for years and if you take adequate care, you may even sell your equipment and earn good returns on your investment. So the best way to buy a used electric hoist is to get it inspected to make sure that it is in working condition and will serve your purpose for a certain period of time.

Devices that are sold in EU will come with an EC Declaration of Conformity which indicates that they fulfill the criteria laid down by the European Machinery Directive. Initially all devices will come with a number of certificates that will guarantee safe and efficient usage, but later, you may need to look for certain signs to make sure that the equipment you buy will be worth the price you pay. Check if you are able to spot the presence of cracks in the equipment itself. Fissures or cracks are the signs of wear and tear and they indicate that you may not be able to use the equipment for a long time. These cracks may lead to undesirable incidents and may indicate that your equipment is not safe for use.

Regular servicing and proper care actually work to preserve and prolong the functional life of an electric hoist and you may want to hire the services of an inspector to make sure that the device does not have problems with regard to bearings, electronics, or cogs. Some companies offer used electric hoists that are backed by warranties and this may give you some confidence to invest in those devices.

There are certain other factors that you should consider while buying a used electric hoist. You should take into account the reputation of the equipment manufacturer while making a purchase decision and you should look for suppliers that can provide you with the necessary usage and care-related documentation. It is a good idea to involve an independent third party in the inspection process. Independent professional inspectors who handle such devices on a day-to-day basis will be in a better position to guide you on the purchase of the right equipment.

How Electric Chain Hoists Work

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A hoist is used to lift or lower a load by means of a rope or chain that is wound around a lift wheel or a drum. Electric hoists have drums or wheels that use electricity for their operations. Hoists may come with different lifting media with chain being the most common option. Today, most industrial undertakings use electrically operated chain hoists as the lifting media and they feature a closed chain in the form of a loop which facilitates lifting. The chain hoist may come equipped with a number of big and small pulleys that facilitate lifting.

Electric chain hoists are used in diverse industries including manufacturing establishments and construction projects. You need to pull the chain to lift the load. At this time, the large pulley pulls in more chain compared to what the smaller side requires and this marks the onset of the lifting process. While the use of manual chain hoists dominated the lifting scenes in the past, today, most manual lifting operations are being replaced by electrically operated lifting processes. Electric chain hoists allow you to transfer heavy loads from one location to the other by requiring you to just push the button. Electric chain hoists do not require you to engage an experienced operator to operate them and this means that you can save money which otherwise you might be spending on hiring professionals. Simply put, your operations will turn out to be cost-effective in the long run.

You need to abide by guidelines specified by the trade association’s centre on chain use, upkeep and inspection to minimise the chances of accidents. Additionally, you should apply gear lubricant oil on the load chain before initiating an operation and the frequency and degree of lubrication will typically depend on the operating conditions and the degree of usage. Electric chain hoists feature an electric motor that spins fast, facilitating a lifting operation. The chain may move at a speed of 8-32 feet per minute and a strong brake comes with shaft which ensures that the chain rotates in place.

Electric chain hoists are typically used in risky lifting scenarios and they come in various designs and capacities and so you may need to do a careful research to identify the model that will address your specific needs with regard to usage and the weight that you will need to carry. When you decide to purchase an electric chain hoist, you should consider a few parameters including the hoist’s suspension and speed, the lift height, the hoist’s capability to lift heavy loads, the voltage, and the trolley’s speed and projection width. By understanding your unique requirements and by studying the specifications of different types of products, you can select the appropriate product and make your operations faster, safer, and cost-effective.

Tips To Stay Safe While Working At Height

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In Britain, the construction sector employs just 5 percent of the total workforce, but it has been found to be associated with 27 percent of fatal injuries, many of which have been the outcome of falls. However, it needs to be noted that construction workers are not susceptible to fall injuries alone with falls from ladders or through brittle roofs being observed as other common fall-injury incidents. The information provided by this article is intended to help you devise an appropriate working-at-height policy and fall protection strategy.

Firstly the most efficient and effective way to provide height safety is to invest in good quality Height Safety Equipment which will provide optimum safety at height when used in the intended ways, further to that I have the below recommendations and procedures that will ensure you take the necessary steps to comply fully with expectations.

The Working At Height Regulations 2005 apply to activities that are associated with a risk of fall injuries. An amendment made to the regulations in 2007 required people who had expertise in caving or climbing to lead and provide instructions to people who had to work at height. The team leaders or the duty holders need to ensure that all work at height is organised in an appropriate manner and carried out by competent individuals. They are also required to conduct risk assessment studies and keep mechanisms in place to prevent fall incidents that might result from working on fragile surfaces. Additionally, they are also responsible for work equipment inspection and maintenance.

Additionally, there are certain common guidelines that you should follow to ensure operational safety. Keep appropriate arrangements in place to carry out maximum tasks from the ground. For example, you may assemble materials or structures on the ground and use lifting equipment to lift them up to the required position. You should practise enough care and keep precautionary measures in place when workmen are required to work on or near fragile surfaces. Make sure that your workmen get enough space to conveniently enter and leave the work area. Keep emergency evacuation and rescue procedures in place and deploy appropriate measures to prevent injuries that may result from falling objects. Make sure that the access surface that your workmen use is strong enough to support their body weight or the weight of equipment that they would carry with them.

Avoid using ladders or step ladders if you are required to handle loads or to spend more than thirty minutes to complete a task. It is not a good idea to use ladders if you are not able to maintain contact at three points while carrying out a task. Avoid trying to overreach while you are on a ladder, making sure that both of your feet rest on the same step while you undertake a task. Most importantly, you may want to attend a safety training course to get an in-depth knowledge on the use of fall protection equipment and on various safety procedures that you can undertake to safeguard yourself and your teammates from potential hazards. Additionally, you will also gain a deeper insight on the legal responsibilities which will help you to devise better work practices.

Extend The Life Of Your Overhead Cranes By Keeping An Effective Maintenance And Inspection Program In Place

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You do not need to be a rocket scientist to ensure that your overhead cranes are safe and functional. By scheduling your inspection and maintenance jobs regularly and by ensuring that you undertake preventive maintenance in a professional manner, you can definitely preserve the health of your overhead cranes and extend their life. In fact, regular maintenance is the simplest way to ensure efficient as well as safe crane operations.

Overhead crane failure can be attributed to several reasons and there are very rare occasions when your equipment registers a mechanical failure without sending out early warning signs or symptoms. Your cranes may need to be frequently inspected if they are used frequently. There are chances that you may fail to detect problems even though your cranes are being inspected to the Health And Safety Executive (HSE) standard. This is a case that you may come across when you are not allowing for enough inspections. Sometimes, a failed crane may be excluded from a maintenance regime just because it was not included in the inspection contract.

While most overhead cranes come with the manufacturer’s recommendations on the frequency with which each component of an overhead crane should be inspected, many companies still fail to design an appropriate preventive maintenance program that is based on those guidelines. Sometimes, companies assume that they can ensure equipment reliability just by keeping an annual HSE inspection in place, but the fact remains that the HSE inspection needs to comply with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) inspection and preventive maintenance guidelines. Often, the inspection contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder on a fixed quote and this may prevent companies from getting a professional service that addresses their specific equipment maintenance needs.

If you are looking for a vendor, you should ideally check if the vendor has a strong reputation in the industry and whether it can tailor its programs to accommodate your needs. You should also check whether your vendor agrees to conduct routine maintenance jobs while complying with HSE and OEM guidelines. When you evaluate your existing service provider, you should try to identify the areas that can be improved upon. Your vendor might be providing you with a set of services that are specifically mentioned in the contract and that may just be the minimum requirements. To be very honest, the programs that are based on a limited budget are not the best options.

Additionally, you cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all approach while scheduling inspections. Some cranes are used more frequently than others and they will demand greater attention. While selecting a vendor you should check whether it can address your specific needs and if you really want to extend the life of your overhead cranes, you would surely want to invest in a professional inspection program.

Exceptional Onsite Productivity From Electric Chain Hoists

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Working on site and trying to move around heavy materials can be no only exhausting but also inefficient in todays world. Manual labour is almost a thing of the past these days, as technology develops life gets easier, with Electric Chain Hoists there is no longer a reason to be manually lifting loads or using unsafe gin wheels to transport your bag of cement or your steel girder to the 13th story of a building site.

Boosting efficiency to the maximum, Electric Chain Hoists can be specified to have a slow and a fast speed to ensure the operator can maintain a safe but efficient speed for the load, my favourite thing about this kind of hoist is that it is self braked, as soon as you let go of the button (and even in the event of a power failure), the hoist will automatically brake and the load will remain in position. This is great for working onsite as power shortages often occur, especially in remote areas where generators are being used to power equipment. Expect hoist speeds to be in the region between 1m/min and 12m/min, there are faster hoists available on the market but they tend to come with a higher price tag and are usually price on request from dealers.

In regards to dealers and where to purchase an Electric Chain Hoist, the best way is to contact a dealer, as manufacturers rarely deal direct- the advantages to this are better customer service and better prices as dealers often pass on some of their trade discount to be competitive against others, talk to the right one nicely and you can grab yourself a bargain. Alternatively there are many dealers now selling these types of hoists online such as Lifting Equipment Store.

Electric Chain Hoists alike a standard chain block, come in a variety of lifting capacities from 125kg-30,000kg and can be built to include a top hook, suspension lug, manual or electric beam trolley to enable horizontal traverse along a beam. With lifting heights up to 120m you are sure to have enough ability to do what you need to do!

Reasons Why Drum Trolleys May Boost Your Transportation Efficiency

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Why do you need drum trolleys when you can just roll drums to move them to the desired locations? Well, drum trolleys are designed to transport large drums that carry ‘hazardous’ chemicals. This explains why using drum trolleys makes more sense than just rolling drums to facilitate their transportation. Drum trolleys minimise the health and safety risks that your workers may be exposed to during the transportation of hazardous chemicals while boosting the efficiency at which materials are transported at the same time.

You have to admit the fact that equipment with wheels assures the best transportation outcomes in terms of convenience as well as timeliness. You may need only one person to transport multiple drums in one day depending on the load and the type of drum trolley that you use. What’s more interesting is that you can actually cut down on your transportation time by almost 50 percent. Secondly, the use of drum trolleys guarantees a level of safety which fosters a feel of employee-friendly environment in your work site.

Whenever humans and chemicals meet each other, there are always chances of accidents on account of faulty transportation practices. Some drum trolleys come with anti-explosion and anti-spill features that help companies maintain high standards of health and safety practices. By promoting a safe work environment, you can keep costs pertaining to employee injury claims under control. Back injuries are commonly reported by workers who need to lift and handle heavy loads on a frequent basis. When you provide your workers with aids to lift drums and other loads safely, you take a step to secure their health and safety, which, in turn, translates into lower injury claims for you.

Drum trolleys come in various forms, with self-loading tilting drum stand, tilt drum trolley, four-wheel drum truck, and low-profile drum caddy being the most commonly used designs. As the name suggests, a self-loading tilting drum stand can be operated by just one employee who does not even need to touch the drum. The handles can be retracted when the stand rests in the horizontal position. Tilt drum trolleys are specially designed to facilitate tilting, rotating, and drainage functions. You can lock the drum in a vertical position to avoid spillage, but you can still tilt the drum in a horizontal position if you wish to drain it. Most importantly, you can incline a drum at any angle and drain all the contents completely. Four-wheel drum trucks prove to be highly useful when you need to transport drums up over gutters and doorsteps. Convenient for use on both smooth and rough grounds, four-wheel drum trucks will allow you to move significant load without feeling burdened. Low-profile drum caddies are designed to reduce the risk of injury that may be caused by manual transportation of drums. By using a low-profile drum caddy, you can escape manual unloading operations by slipping the drum out of the caddy.

If you handle chemicals that fall in the “extremely hazardous” category, you may want to invest in hydraulic drum jacks that can transport several drums and need only one operator to operate them. Besides, you also need to use various drum handling equipment such as drum lifts, loader, and unloader to complete drum transportation jobs. If you think that you have very little awareness about such equipment, do consult a company representative to make informed decisions.

 

 

 

A Brief Overview of LOLER

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Lifting operations are associated with risks of injury and when they are handled in an inappropriate manner, they can invite additional costs to the company or people who are accountable for operational success and safety. To promote safe and efficient management of lifting operations, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) were enacted in 1998. These regulations apply to companies or people who own, operate, and supervise the upkeep of lifting equipment. Generally, employers are also required to abide by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), which lays down the things that employers need to do to protect their employees in the workplace and as a matter of fact, proper upkeep of lifting equipment is one of those requirements.

The regulations require a competent individual to plan, handle, and supervise lifting equipment and lifting operations in an appropriate and safe manner. The LOLER also specifies that the lifting equipment should be fit for the purpose and it should be appropriately marked with maintenance and defect-related data being recorded in an accurate manner. The regulations apply to the operation of any equipment that is used in the worksite. However there are certain categories of equipment which are used in lifting, but are not considered as lifting equipment and hence, they are not subject to the provisions of LOLER. The use and upkeep of such instruments, including platform lifts, escalators, and stair lifts, is governed by PUWER.

Notably, the Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 specifies that employers as well as the self-employed are liable to ensure the safety of people who are not employed by them, but are most likely to be affected by their operations in some way. Therefore, businesses that permit the public to use lifting equipment are responsible for equipment maintenance and risk management and are required to abide by the strict terms and conditions of the LOLER and PUWER.

LOLER has also specified guidelines on the selection of the right lifting equipment. Employers need to make sure that all lifting equipment is installed in such a way that it reduces the risk of injuries which may arise when a load is unintentionally released or when a load falls freely or strikes a person. In addition, all lifting equipment and accessories need to indicate the safe working loads (SWL) that they can lift safely. In some cases, the SWL of an equipment or accessory may depend on its configuration and so the SWL information must disclose all configurations and the corresponding load capacities. Accessories should also bear indications to reflect the parameters that may affect their safe use. When lifting operations involve the lifting of people, employers need to hire specialists who can handle operations safely.

Planning lifting operations is crucial to ensuring operational safety. This will require staff to practise prudence and foresee risks before they translate into incidents. This can be managed through appropriate allocation of resources including human resources. The planning process may typically involve an attention-to-detail approach on a number of criteria including pre-use checking, overload, proximity hazards, environment, visibility, attaching and detaching loads, and equipment re-use. Simply put, the plan needs to clearly state the actions that may be needed at each step as well as the responsibilities that are allocated to personnel.

If you have any LOLER and PUWER Crane Servicing inspection requirements there are a huge number of companies all over the world who will undertake the inspection or service required to ensure that your company and equipment stay compliant while your employees and workers stay safe. Simply take a quick google search for those types of companies in your local area.

Inspection tips for your full-body harness

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With falls being the leading cause of death in construction sites and in work sites where people are required to operate at elevations, employers should make sure that they adopt appropriate safety measures to minimise incidents. Besides keeping other safety measures, such as guardrails or safety nets, in place, employers should make sure that their workers are equipped with full-body harnesses that form an integral part of fall protection system. The successful use of fall protection systems are largely dependent on workers’ ability to appropriately inspect and use the equipment and hence, employers should make sure that they provide the necessary training to their workers.

A safety harness should be inspected before use as every harness comes with its own wearable life that may vary depending on the number of times it is used and the conditions that it has been subjected to. A harness may show noticeable signs of damage and it is a good idea to replace it with a new harness to eliminate mishap possibilities. As a matter of fact, harnesses need to be inspected frequently by a competent person who can detect corrosions and suggest suitable actions.

If you are responsible for inspecting full-body harnesses, you may consider the following tips to determine if a harness can be used further:

  • The grommets are subjected to heavy wear because of recurrent buckling or unbuckling. Loose or broken grommets are warning signs that may call for a replacement decision.
  • Inspect for cracked, distorted or broken D-rings besides inspecting the D-ring back pads. The D-ring, if it is good health, is expected to spool easily.
  • Check if the outer and the center bars of the friction and mating buckles appear to be straight. Inspect for distortion at the attachment points of the center bar.
  • Create an inverted U with the webbing. Check if you are able to spot cuts, broken fibers, burns, chemical damage, or pulled stitches. Check on both the sides, throughout the length of the webbing. Closely inspect the paint and solvents in the webbing and rope. Some varieties of paints contain solvents and drying agents that may induce chemical damage or restrict the movement of fibers.
  • Closely inspect the attaching buckles. Check for cut fibers, distortions or any abnormal wear.

Harnesses come in different styles and hence, you should always read the instructions to understand how they can be used in the right way.

Fundamental Features Of The Genie® Superlift Advantage®

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The Genie SLA Superlift Advantage is a material lift which is operated manually and is specially noted for its compact, portable design that allows the lift to be transported through standard single doorways. The lift comes with a number of components- a winch, base, and load-handling options and it can be loaded very easily in to a pickup truck or similar. The Genie® Superlift Advantage® is designed to lift up to 454 kg of material up to a height of 11ft and 5.5 inches and up to 295 kg of load up to a height of 26 ft. and 5 inches. Recognised for its versatility, the material lift can boost your productivity and add value to your investments.

The Genie® Superlift Advantage® offers an optional a straddle base that can carry wide loads and pass through narrow doorways. It has the capacity to straddle loads that have a width of 31.5-50 inches and to handle pallets that may have a maximum width of 48 inches. The presence of flat forks facilitates ground-level loading. The standard base comprises of a welded steel base that provides additional support and guarantees steady performance.

You do not need to use any tools to set up the lift and you can transport the lift to the operational state easily within a few seconds. You can move it through standard doorways in a vertical position without having to remove the load or tilt back the lift. It features a rear transport wheel assembly that facilitates movement on irregular surfaces. You can fold the legs and remove the attachments to store the lift in a convenient manner. Additionally, the lift comes equipped with a hold-down bar that secures the mast assembly during the transportation process and its roller wheels promote smooth movement in a stowed position.

What is more appealing is that the Genie® Superlift Advantage® comes with interchangeable attachments, which allow you to make necessary adjustments to handle a wide variety of loads. The design accommodates a number of fork options including standard forks, flat forks, adjustable forks, and fork extensions, allowing you to adjust the load capacity as per your requirements. You can use the Boom option to convert your lift into a mobile, vertical crane and the Pipe Cradle option to facilitate easy lifting of odd-shaped items. The lift comes with a patented telescoping mast system that is noted for its strength and rigidity. Additionally, the lift features a patented locking system in its captive stabilizer, which provides additional lateral support to lift heavy loads. The standard one-speed winch comes with a silent ratchet system and if you choose to upgrade to a two-speed winch, you can easily switch between gears to lift different loads without having to remove or re-attach the handles.

In a nutshell, the versatility of the Genie® Superlift Advantage® allows you to choose the base, winch speed, mast height, and load handling attachments so that you can easily configure your material lift to address your specific needs.