Removing the articulated pick and carry stigma Safety demonstration designed to reinforce increased safety features on pick and carries

MELROSE HOST PICK AND CARRY SAFETY DAY

Melrose Cranes recently hosted a safety and awareness open day, designed to highlight the latest developments in safety features and technology for articulated, pick and carry cranes.

The Dynamic Load Moment Indicator (DLMI) automatically de-rates the crane when moving from a flat surface to a side slope which is simulated by the steel plates

OPENING ITS YARD TO SENIOR SAFETY representatives from many of the major construction companies and infrastructure joint ventures around Sydney, Melrose Cranes demonstrated the latest features of the 28t capacity TIDD PC28, the recently released articulated pick and carry crane from TRT. Through an impressive setup of in vehicle cameras and display screens, visitors were able to watch the benefits of the key safety feature on the crane, the Slew Safe system, in real time and from the operator’s perspective.

Ryan Melrose, general manager, Melrose Cranes spoke about the reasoning behind the safety open day.

“We recognised that areas of the construction and infrastructure sector have degrees of negativity towards articulated pick and carry cranes. Obviously, there have been a number of incidents over the years involving this type of crane including roll overs.

“Today’s pick and carries are built with a number of safety features that aim to limit or even prevent the operator from putting the machine into a position that may result in an incident or accident. We feel one of the leading safety-systems is Slew Safe, developed by TRT,” he said.

Slew Safe is an effective system

to restrict the driver from operating off the chart. With audible and visual alarms, along with steering restrictions in the unsafe direction when overloaded. Slew Safe cannot be over-ridden but will operate normally in the safe direction.

“We’ve had Slew Safe fitted to all the TIDD machines that we operate. It’s an engineering control which makes for a safer machine. The machine knows what you are trying to do and, in effect, limits your ability to do it. This is a big positive when it comes to minimising the risks of accidents in the future,” said Melrose.

According to Melrose, it’s important to change the current perceptions associated with pick and carries.

“We wanted to show some of our most important clients the latest articulated, pick and carry technology up close and in real time, giving them a feel for the machine.

A lot of the attendees were not especially ‘crane specialists ‘.

“Our client’s senior safety members cover a diverse field of subcontractors and they can’t possibly be aware of every safety feature in every machine. It is understandable that they might have nothing to do with articulated, pick and carries until something negative or unfortunate happens,” he said.

“We wanted to get on the front foot and show them how the industry is positively moving towards safer use of these machines. We were able to demonstrate how these cranes can be used in the right way, and our hope is those attending left more educated, so if potential internal conversations turn to the possible exclusion of articulated, pick and carry cranes from sites, they are in a better position to discuss the positive benefits and features. Considering pick and carries are such a flexible tool, they are very common around infrastructure projects, where they constantly move culverts, pipes and complete work underground in the tunnels etc; we hope they benefitted from the day,” said Melrose.

The demonstration not only included Slew Safe’s function in various situations, but the Dynamic Load Moment Indicator (or DLMI) featured in every make and model of 25t & 28t class crane in the Melrose fleet.

The TIDD PC28 is the latest model from TRT. It features Slew Safe and DLMI which automatically de-rates the machine on side slopes. The real time demonstration illustrated functionality and how the DLMI can be de-rated to any percentage a site wants.

“A safety parameter of 75-85 per cent of the chart is common with most of the bigger clients, and the operator has the functionality to be able to do this, setting minds at ease that the crane is working well and truly under its capacity and to the client’s requirements. This makes operations even safer,” said Melrose.

“We invited plant managers, senior safety managers, site managers, site engineers and even CEO’s from a broad range of large infrastructure clients and major companies we work for, including CPB, Lendlease, John Holland, Multiplex, Mirvac and Hutchinson. We had people attend who make a difference and are capable of setting trends in the industry. We also had smaller clients that use pick and carries in their factories. The feed-back was very positive with some attendees having no idea the machine had so many safety features. Our project managers have received nothing but positive feedback from clients,” he said.

(left to right) Gregg Melrose, Managing Director, Tony Melrose, CFO and Mick Melrose Business Development Manager, Melrose Cranes. Phil Chadwick, Crane Sales manager, TRT Australia, Bruce Carden, Company Director, Tidd Ross Todd (TRT) Ltd and Ryan Melrose, General Manager, Melrose Cranes.