The modern work environment often requires moving heavy or large, unstable material such as HVAC units, steel piping, or concrete slabs. For this reason, cranes have become a must on most large job sites where building, maintenance, or handling of large material is the norm. How companies handle that material, however, is where they can win when it comes to efficiency and safety. Crane suspended material lifting baskets enable safer, faster and more reliable hoisting of tools, equipment and heavy material. In this blog, we will dive into five industry specific scenarios where material baskets solve real world problems. We will also touch on industry specific regulations to follow when material lifting is involved.
Hoisting HVAC equipment
Industrial HVAC installation companies are often faced with the challenge of hoisting units to the top of busy office buildings. HVAC installation doesn’t just include the unit itself, it also includes all necessary equipment like condensers, ductwork, and roof drops. While it would be easy enough to lift the HVAC unit with straps, lifting the rest of the equipment may become more of a challenge. Imagine if your crew could hoist most or even all of the necessary equipment for HVAC installation in one lift. It could be possible. With a large custom material platform, crews can load all necessary equipment at ground level into the basket, attach a 4-leg bridle assembly to the lifting points, and lift all material in one controlled, stable lift. Because HVAC units and all of the additional equipment can often exceed 5,000 lbs. or even 10,000 lbs. It is absolutely vital for crane operators to reference the crane’s load chart so capacity isn’t exceeded.
Material lifting for Industrial facilities
Industrial facilities and steel plants are commonly lifting large steel plates, pipes, and structural materials between work stations or different shelving. Oftentimes, strapping is used, leading to inefficiency and dangerous conditions. Large steel plates can often have sharp edges leading to potential tearing in straps. Industrial facilities also tend to have large amounts of raw material. Moving large amounts of large material by placing them on pallets or carrying them can take tremendous amounts of time, while also leading to potential injury from repeated lifts.
Due to the dangers of material handling in industrial settings, OSHA sets guidelines listed in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176. One of the guidelines listed refers to properly stacking material. Stacking material is a great way of maximizing the limited space industrial facilities often face. Stackable material baskets are a great solution for industrial steel facilities. Not only are employees able to quickly and safely move raw material, but the stackable features allow for efficient use of space while still complying with OSHA regulations. Material baskets can also be equipped with features like heavy-duty casters, making them easy to push around the facility wherever needed.
Material handling in Data Centers
Data centers are a new and booming industry in the U.S. with the rise of AI. Data centers also come with their own unique challenges when it comes to the construction process. Racks of computer servers are heavy and require careful handling to avoid damages. Lakeshore Industrial can specifically design material baskets with built-in strapping systems to keep delicate server systems from tipping.
Data center construction also requires large amounts of welding and cutting due to the extensive sizes of these facilities. When transporting the gases used in welding and cutting, OSHA lays out the regulations in OSHA 1926.350(A). Lakeshore Industrial manufactures gas cylinder cages to comply with OSHA standards. Some key features to know are the built-in strapping system to secure cylinders and the fireproof dividing wall when hoisting combustible gases.
Material lifting in the Oil and Gas Industry
A turnaround in the oil and gas industry refers to a planned maintenance period. During these planned periods, companies are expected to perform routine maintenance and replace old piping or valves. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) routine turnarounds on key fuel production units are to be done every 3-5 years. Turnarounds can last anywhere from 20-60 days. Every day a refinery is shut down is another day of lost profits. This is why it’s vital to maximize efficiency in material lifting and transporting. Rather than carrying individual pipes, valves, and motors, companies should focus on fewer lifts. High capacity material baskets allow for hoisting of multiple components in a single lift. Small changes like this can lead to massive reductions in turnaround times.
Material Lifting in Commercial Construction
Large scale commercial construction requires consistent material as well as personnel hoisting. When multi-story buildings are under construction, crews are required to get materials and themselves up multiple stories. Not only does this become taxing on the workers but also becomes a hazard. Tired workers working at heights can lead to falls or dropped materials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) over 50,000 injuries occur in construction every year due to falling material.
Lakeshore Industrial has the construction baskets to help prevent these injuries and potential fatalities. As a leader in material handling for the construction industry, we strive to have a product for any crane lifting scenario. Whether crews require safe lifting of pipes, steel structures, I-Beams, or roofing material, Lakeshore Industrial is able to provide a custom material basket to fit any need.
While materials are being lifted by a crane at one location of the jobsite, personnel may also need to be elevated at another location. Lakeshore Industrial not only has all the material lifting products needed, we’re also able to supply personnel platforms for the construction industry. Our combination of material baskets and personnel baskets allow crews to eliminate the need for scaffolding. By eliminating scaffolding companies save time in setup, reduce injury risk and worker fatigue.
FAQ
- What is a crane material basket and why should I use one?
- A crane material lifting basket is a heavy-duty steel cage built to hoist heavy material, tools, or supplies by crane. Unlike scaffolding or rope systems, these cages have solid steel or heavy-duty expanded metal sides, a solid base, and robust design to prevent materials from falling. OSHA allows only tools and essential materials for the job in personnel platforms, thus making it important to own a dedicated material lifting basket as well.
- What OSHA or ASME standards apply to material lifting baskets?
- Material lift baskets are governed by ASME B30.20 below the hook standards and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC (cranes and derricks). Lakeshore Industrial material cages are built to exceed these standards. Each material basket is load tested at 125% of its capacity and comes with certificates of compliance and load test. Our baskets far exceed industry standards by utilizing a 2” square tubing or even a 2” x 3” rectangle tubing on higher capacity models.
- How do I ensure safe crane lifts on my jobsite?
- Key safety steps include 1. Dedicated lift plans to include the lift route and dedicated safe zones for workers to avoid during elevated work (OSHA 1926.1425) 2. Pre-lift meetings 3. Careful inspection of all equipment including crane load lines and any below the hook lifting devices. 4. Use of trained and certified crane operators (NCCCO-certified crane operators, and qualified signalpersons). 5. Follow OSHA’s 10-foot rule which states to not stand within 10 feet of a suspended load. 6. Never overload the material basket. Each basket comes with a data plate indicating the basket’s rated load capacity, it is vital to follow the manufacturer’s rating.
If you’re a company in HVAC, industrial steel operations, the oil and gas industry, data center building, or commercial construction, safe and efficient material handling is of the utmost importance. Not only can you save time and money but also potential lives. Lakeshore Industrial provides OSHA-compliant solutions to your material lifting needs. Give us a call today 888-265-1777 or contact us here to discuss improving your custom material basket needs.