LLifting equipment within the construction industry is any equipment used for lifting and lowering loads, including any accessories. Lifting equipment is regulated by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
LOLER states that if an organisation is using lifting equipment, they should:
- Plan the use properly
- Use competent people to operate it
- Supervise them properly
- Ensure the work is carried out safely
Within construction, there are several commonly used pieces of lifting equipment from Tower Cranes to Forklifts. Below we have highlighted the common ones and their uses.
Construction hoists are the safest way to transport workers and/or material vertically up a building to the desired height. Construction hoists can carry payloads from 500 – 3200kg depending on the needs of the construction. They can lift materials to 30m high.
Excavators have become a more common piece of lifting equipment on a construction site. However, this is not their primary use. They are used to raise materials to a minimal height. An excavator is a multi-use piece of heavy machinery that can be used in all weather conditions.
Tower cranes are used to move materials to a great height on a construction site. They are ideal when working on a multi-storey building or commercial unit.
Mobile cranes are similar to tower cranes but on a smaller scales. They are movable like a vehicle, so they are preferred on construction sites where things need to be lifted to a lower level. Various attachments and accessories can be fitted to a mobile crane making it more versatile.
Forklifts are used to carry weight instead of using manpower to lift and move materials. Forklifts tend to be used on single-level construction sites to move materials from one place to another. Their height ability is limited to single storey builds, but they are sort after for their carrying skills.
Scissor lifts are limited to an up and down motion but go up to a height of 60 meters. Scissor lifts are commonly used for indoor constructions. They have limited uses, although they are fantastic at getting workers to particular levels within a build.
A cherry picker is not used much within construction. Still, a cherry picker is a go-to piece of lifting equipment for some tasks when trees or utility lines need to be accessed.