In any lifting operation, there are always risks to consider to reduce injuries to personnel as well as potential damage to the load. One such consideration is load sway, which describes the swinging movement of loads which can occur when an object is hooked onto a crane and lifted off the ground.
Due to the nature of physics, load sway is something that should be expected and planned for during any lifting operation. By considering potential obstacles and also following good lifting techniques, the lifting, lowering and repositioning of heavy loads can be made safer, as well as more efficient.
While no substitute for a health and safety assessment, here are some general tips about load sway to note.
What Is Load Sway?
Load sway is often compared to the movements of a pendulum swing. That’s because the mechanics of how heavy loads move as they are transported often result in a sway. Unlike when loads are supported on the ground, when heavy loads are moved there is often nothing to hold them in place, which can result in a swaying movement. Eventually, the load will stabilise and come to a halt, but until this happens, the swaying momentum can pose various hazards.
Preventing Load Sway
Preparation and patience are two key factors in preventing load sway.
Firstly, it is essential to plan lifting operations so that potential hazards including load sway can best be avoided. In contrast, rushing any kind of lifting operation is more likely to result in avoidable safety issues.
Slowness is also key during the lifting operation itself, as the slower the load moves, the less likely it is to sway. In contrast, trying to move a load too fast will result in a higher transfer of energy through the load, which ultimately will result in load sway. For instance, when using a mobile gantry crane, the crane should never be moved during a lifting operation.
In general, taking care to ensure the load is correctly supported and balanced in the centre of gravity can also reduce load sway. Where applicable, supporting the lifting operation with more than one device or tool can also aid with load stabilisation.
Always check the surroundings when lifting, lowering or repositioning loads. Even when all of the correct safety procedures have been followed, the risk of load sway cannot be fully eliminated. Hence, awareness is key to avoiding accidents, injuries and load damage due to load sway.
Need Any More Advice On Reducing Load Sway?
If you are looking to make your lifting operations safer and more efficient, including increasing capacity while reducing load sway, then you are in the right place.
Metreel is a leading UK supplier of material handling equipment. We can come up with a variety of solutions to ensure efficient and safe lifting operations within your industrial facility.
For help or advice on anything we’ve mentioned above, don’t hesitate to give our team a call on 0115 932 7010.