Pipeline projects often mean navigating challenging conditions and tight deadlines, and it’s vital to strike a balance between efficiency and safety.
Australia is one of the widest and driest countries in the world, which makes access to a safe and reliable water supply a constant challenge, especially for remote areas.
Pipelines are the backbone of water security, and a reliable water network begins with the safe and streamlined construction of these assets.
Given the critical nature of these works, utilities need to be able to trust that their contractors can provide the right equipment for the job.
Pipeline projects present a range of safety hazards, as construction often takes place in harsh conditions, involving heavy machinery and pipeline pieces that can weigh upwards of 10t.
Pipeline Plant Hire (PPH), in partnership with Global Equipment Services (GES), designs and manufactures a range of vacuum pipe lifting equipment, which have been optimised to increase the productivity, efficiency and safety of pipeline projects.
VacLift works by using a vacuum to suck pipe lengths into the grasp of an attachment fitted with rubber seals called a ‘shoe’ that raises lengths of poly or steel pipe weighing up to 15t, without causing damage during the lifting process.
Mr Dridan said that this results in enormous time and cost savings for customers, as the VacLift cycle time is under 40 seconds per pipe length, whereas conventional methods take between five and ten minutes.
The VacLift system is available for customers to hire as a fully integrated, ready-to-use system consisting of an excavator, fitted with a VacLift unit and mounted on the counterweight of the machine – to provide maximum safe lift capacity.
“We’ve also developed a VacLift attachment that can be fitted to the customer’s own machine using auxiliary hydraulics to power and control operations,” Mr Dridan said.
“Since the equipment has been designed to only lift or release the pipe lengths in a grounded position, it’s almost impossible to drop the pipe, and also safeguards any personnel involved, and protects the lifting equipment.”
Traditional methods of pipe handling put workers at risk when attaching and detaching slings and hooks, but VacLift significantly reduces the dangers involved.
GES Director, Matt Dridan, said that he is frequently surprised to find that project developers are not aware of the benefits of vacuum lifters.
“I’ll see some people using ladders and climbing up on trucks and I think, ‘Oh my goodness, I know for a fact that will result in an injury’,” Mr Dridan said.
“Failings in productivity can be made up for down the track. A failing in safety cannot. A contractor can complete a project over-budget or over-time, but if you injured anyone, there’s no point applying for the next project.”
PPH delivers training support for the use of its VacLifts, which can be provided either on the work site or at its factory.
“At our factory, in a more controlled environment, operators can get a better look at the development of the equipment and get an understanding of the process.”
Mr Dridan said that PPH isn’t just a manufacturing company that decided to take on vacuum lifts.
“We came from the pipeline industry, and from that experience we developed vacuum lifts that fit the sector and meet its unique requirements.
“The people at Pipeline Plant Hire have more than three decades of experience in the industry, so we understand the process, we understand the ramifications of not getting it right, and we understand the overlap of various equipment and conditions.
“We also have the largest hire fleet in the country, and this, combined with our round-the-clock local support, delivers the right outcome for any project.” U
