Rank: Forum user
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Hi All,
My company has just installed a new overhead/gantry crane inside our warehouse, the crane will be doing tandem lifts with tools weighing around 27 tons. What sort of IITS would I need for them to carry out the complex lift any help would be great.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not an expert just got some experience. I assume by tandem lifts you mean two overhead/gantry cranes working together on the same rails. ITIS is a big subject so I have just posted some topics for consideration.
If you are moving standard components then you can develop a generic lifting plan otherwise you will have to produce one for each lift.
This may sound obvious but you need to ensure the cranes do not hit each other. It does happen and can knock one or both off the rails and/or cause the load to drop. Consider installing some sort of collision warning or use a banksman and “locking off” one of the cranes when it is not in use. The load has to be balanced to ensure the SWL is not exceeded for one of the cranes. Slinging of the load to ensure it does not slip or drop. Try and have lifting hooks/holes build into anything you are lifting, it is 1000% easier. You may have to identify lifting points of your tools.
Ensure there is a clear path for the load and physically check it/barrier off if it is a busy warehouse for things like forklift trucks. Lift the load as low as possible as this will reduce the impact load if anything did go wrong. All chains/ropes should be vertical as it is easy to get into a situation where one crane is pulling on the other through the load.
Some of these cranes can trundle along at some speed, so set a maximum speed which will also stop the load from swinging.
Ensure there is good communication between operators and others taking into account any back ground noise. Consider a permit system if the lift is in a busy warehouse. Try and have no working underneath.
Practice moving the cranes in unison without a load, it does take a few goes. Consider using a slinger/banksman to oversee the lift.
Do not forget about the statutory checks, not only on the crane but the lifting gear. Read the manufactures instructions and attend the commissioning.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ash Not my area of expertise either but I feel compelled to add that a procedure should be in place based on the manufacturers intructions and other industry guidance. In my experience with tandem lifting the biggest risk is poor communications. A previous company procedure insisted on duplex (radio) comms between operators and Banksman. I also found this little gem courtesy of Mr Google - http://www2.worksafebc.c...OHSRegulation/part14.asp
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Rank: Super forum user
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The more I think about this question the more I get an uneasy feeling. I have first hand knowledge of a failure when 2 O/H travelling cranes are used together. They are far better suited to working alone and one must ask how on can satisfy the need to avoid collision by practicable mean. A system of work does not sit easily and I have known such systems fail catastrophically. Certainly any fail will require a full engineering re examination.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I may be missing something but:
Complex lifts require a lift plan. A lift plan should be written by a competent person (we use a 5 day CITB course as a start point and then supervision & coaching by more experienced people) they are then required to complete the relevant NVQ. We call them Appointed Persons (lifting). The lift should be controlled by a lift supervisor, often the AP(L), but can be others after a 2 day CITB course. Riggers & slingers are something entirely different and also need quals.
This is a common set up so far as I'm aware.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Walker
The problem for me is that I do not regard tandem lifts with O/H gantry cranes on rails as common place. The place I saw this last was in a plating works where the Scotch blocks were removed to allow travel by both cranes along the track without any restraint thus allowing tandem lifts of parts into the acid vats.. A runaway on one occasion stretched the power feed cable which then exposed a live conductor that went unnoticed. 2 months later a fatal electrocution occurred when a further runaway took place.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Bob you mis read what I wrote I outlined practices of competent persons and said I thought this was common practice (on well run sites)
I agree this lift is (very) complex.
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Rank: Super forum user
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