PRODUCT FOCUS
has 45m blades ( sweeping more than 1.5 acres ) on an 80m tower , totalling 125m . In the GE 1.5-megawatt mode , the nacelle alone weighs more than 56 tons , the blade assembly weighs more than 36 tons , and the tower itself weighs about 71 tons — a total weight of 164 tons . The corresponding weights for the Vestas V90 are 75 , 40 , and 152 , totalling 267 tons .
The challenge around erecting this colossus is that it is sited intentionally in a windy area , which can then play havoc during assembly . “ Cranes and wind are not an ideal combination ,” Yaman adds wryly . This factor poses significant risk — risk in meeting the schedule and risk as in danger to a workforce . Also , he points out , flexibility around work hours is key to meeting the schedule , as the weather knows no timekeeping , with instances where assembly may have to take place at night , in the wind ’ s absence .
“ You then have to manage people and their safety , working hours , lighting , and all the lifting equipment — all the logistics and project management ,” he stresses .
JCH focuses on lifting and heavy lifting . Yaman explains the difference .
“ It ’ s all well to be able to offer a crane and an operator , but the complete package — particularly on the heavy-lift side — focuses around the planning of the entire operation , including supplying the correct crane and the associated rigging and attachments . The planning and analysing of the risks is huge , as often , specifically with refineries , the sites are congested , and to assemble a crane without damaging infrastructure takes knowing what you are doing . Think lattice boom for example ; that 80-metre boom is assembled on the ground and lifted , so that ’ s the kind of space you require , and you need to analyse the risks around the ground conditions to be able to achieve this without incident .”
Yaman explains that the company undertakes a simulation of a lift prior to the event . “ With big lifts , we draw out the site on CAD , position the crane , and accurately measure all the radii — the distance from the crane to where you are going to do the lift . The capacity of the crane is linked to the working radius ; the closer the load is to the crane , with the shortest boom , the higher the lifting capacity .”
Training
Yaman assures that while there “ is no real qualification ” required for someone interested in becoming a planner , an understanding of engineering is an advantage . “ The ground loadings that a crane would generate when on site would require analysis , as well as the lifting arrangements , the lifting tackle , and underfoot conditions ,” he says .
While Concord simply claims that its operators are vastly experienced and trained to the standards recommended to ensure that it delivers the service required when hiring any of its cranes ,
JCH is certified to train crane operators as well as to conduct crane inspections . The company is registered as a lifting machinery entity ( LME ) and the inspectors are certified lifting machinery inspectors ( LMIs ), who carry out the inspections .
With a 220 + fleet , the company has that number “ and more ”, Yaman assures , as JCH supplies operators with their cranes . “ We have a dedicated operator on a crane — trained specifically for that crane , not on a range of cranes — and we also have ‘ spare ’ operators who are trained on a range of cranes , who fill in for eventualities .”
For a shutdown project , where a nightshift is required , the spare operators would be enlisted to make up numbers to expedite the process . “ This is another differentiator , namely having the personnel to fill this range of demand . There has to be spare capacity for any eventuality ,” he adds . “ You also have to have depth in terms of ability to train people when required . A strength we have is that we upskill operators from smaller to larger capacity cranes , empowering them to move through the ranks .” He adds , “ Our average length of service is 15 years ,” he says proudly , with some retiring at 60 after 40 years ’ service . ■
Sources https :// proliftcrane . com / crane-safety-101 / http :// concordcranes . com www . liebherr . com /
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AUGUST 2018