Securing a Load Before Lifting

By Jim on 30th September

Whether you are lifting a load onto moving skates to move across a room, or you are lifting it on a sling, the load has to be secured in order to carry out the lift safely. This should be a point that is covered in the training of any members of staff, when they join the company or when you are refreshing their training.

If you are lifting a load in a lifting sling, it needs to be the right size of sling in order to hold the load and allow it to be secured effectively. You can then go about using anything else you might need to hold it in place, like netting or ratchet straps. These should also be used if you are transporting a load on a vehicle, to secure it down. If you are lifting a load by hand, make sure everyone is taking the weight equally and the load is safe.

The Longevity of a Bridge Crane

By Jim on 24th August

A bridge crane, or overhead crane as it might be known, allows loads to be moved along parallel beams in a straight line direction. This lets you move loads easily and much more quickly than you could if you had to life manually. What is important is to maintain your crane to the highest standards, to avoid the need for buying a new one prematurely.

If you are the owner of a bridge crane, then make sure you buy it in good condition. You can get used cranes that are still in excellent condition, so this shouldn’t pose and problems for you.

You must carry out a daily inspection on your crane, checking all safety equipment is present and correct, and examining the hoist to make sure it is suitable for the lifts you will be carrying out.

You must also carry out regular, thorough inspections on your crane and keep all paperwork up to date.

Using the Right Hoist

By Jim on 25th May

As with any other kind of lifting equipment, the hoist simply has to be right. You need to know that it is going to be able to bear your load, lift it efficiently and safely, and perform the operation in a more streamlined way. This isn’t going to happen if you don’t use the right hoist.

If you do not need anything that is mechanised, then a manual hoist will be fine for your purposes. However, if you do need a more robust hoist with a higher capacity, then you will need a wire rope hoist or an electric chain hoist. Generally, an electric chain hoist will have a high capacity, but an electric wire rope hoist will have the highest capacity. It will often be able to lift loads up to 50 Tonnes, and you can choose different speed settings and control systems, like remote control or radio system connectivity.

Inspecting Cranes and Lifting Equipment

By Jim on 25th March

Cranes and lifting equipment are really useful on site, helping speed up lifting processes and making them much safer. However, it is important to ensure they are looked after, so that the equipment will keep working as it should, in a safe way. You must inspect your equipment on a regular basis.

One of the most important parts of a crane to inspect is the sling. This takes the weight of the load and can, therefore, become damaged quite easily. Slings will only have a certain lifetime, so check with the manufacturer how long you should be using them – you shouldn’t use them beyond the time specified.

You will also have to carry out inspections regularly in accordance with LOLER and PUWER regulations. These will tell you the minimum amount you need to get equipment serviced. If you feel you should get it serviced and inspected more regularly, then that is fine – do what is right for your equipment and business.

Why Use an Overhead Crane?

By Jim on 30th December

An overhead crane is used to lift heavy loads on a building site or in other industrial environments. It might also be known as a bridge crane and it is a large structure that is permanently in place, unlike other smaller types of crane like a mobile crane.

An overhead crane has parallel runways, and a bridge that goes between them, which is where the term bridge crane comes from. It is different to a gantry crane because it is not supported by rigid legs.

There are many different fields and applications that make use of overhead cranes. Some of the main industries where you might find these particular types of lifting equipment are:

  • Steel refinement
  • Automobiles
  • Paper mills
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Shipping

It can be used in lots of other applications as well – it depends on the best crane for your requirements. If you need to find out the best crane for you, it is best to ask a supplier. They will be able to carry out an assessment and find out what you would use your crane for, and how you can purchase the right kinds of lifting equipment for you. By seeing the site for themselves, any good supplier will be able to asses the space you have and advise you on your crane choices and the suitability of different crane models for your site.

Overhead cranes are usually used to transport materials from one area to another – they are not just for lifting. The main factor to take into consideration is the space required. Overhead cranes are never small and are always permanent, meaning they need to fit into the space available. You should think carefully about the type of crane you want and how you can accommodate it. If you have a smaller floor space, it might be that a jib crane or a transportable crane will serve you better for your specific purpose.

If you do decide on a bridge or overhead crane, here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:

  • Increased productivity. A crane helps lifting processes to take place quicker and with less effort. This means that more work can be carried out in the same space of time.
  • Reduced costs. Whilst the initial cost of a crane is going to be quite high, it will be cheaper in the long run than hiring out transportable cranes as and when you need them. If you use cranes on a regular basis, an overhead crane will pay for itself quite quickly.
  • Better health and safety. Using the correct kind of lifting equipment reduces the strain on staff. They will simply need to be educated in how to operate the crane, and from then on, their work will be much easier and much safer, as it reduces the need for manual lifting.

Some of the main components you need to know about are:

  • The hook – used to support the load
  • Hoist – used to lift the load
  • Trolley – moves across the crane bridge
  • Bridge – the load-bearing beam that the trolley attaches to