Mammoet Australia has adopted a 'hands-free lifting' policy across all its lifting operations throughout the country to minimise the risk of hand and finger injuries.
The company said: "Manually handling suspended loads poses risks to workers and increases the chance of human error. Hands free lifting will incorporate the use of taglines and ‘push pull sticks’ of varying lengths and designs avoiding contact with suspended loads."
Using a tagline
"The ‘push pull sticks’ will adjust load position and orientation without human intervention aiming to keep workers at a distance. They can also retrieve taglines remotely, preventing them from walking into drop zones."
A worker using a push/pull stick on the equipment
Ryan Binedell of Mammoet Australia Added: "It is our priority to advance the industry's safe practices. While the use of hands free lifting tools isn't new to the industry, it's often been seen as optional and utilised when convenient. Elimination and substitution are the most accessible and effective control measures in hazard management. So, we aim to integrate hands free lifting from the outset of any task where the use of hands can be avoided. By challenging the use of hands, we enhance planning and highlight risks, which we then mitigate through a planned approach to a lift and installation."
Hands free lifting was first implemented in 2023 at Mammoet’s Pilbara yard in western Australia and with this move has now become more than just the standard practice.
Tower403
https://youtu.be/d3e_FitXqlY?si=9ILnFTVabBKZNCYb
Tower403
If you need a stick in order to lift/land a load without putting your self in unnecessary danger. You shouldn't be any where near a crane.
Herrman976
Since there's no training which can save you by a rope failure, bravo to Mammoet for adopting this policy of zero interference
Tower403
I guess sticks are cheaper than proper training... unbelievable.