We removed a light pole last week that was concrete with some kind of decorative aggragate(spelling). Had to weigh 600-800lbs. Use a fork lift and a strap that we worked up the pole then had a strap and a clevis and piece of strut in the hand hole on the bottom to tension it. The whole rodeo seemed unsafe. Straps were somewhat worn. I couldn't read the load limits on them. Limits on straps are probably well over that. I'm not sure a clevis and piece of strut in the hand hole is a safe way to pull something like that. I don't have a lot of light pole experience but it just felt like we were relying on luck to safely pull this pole. I was wondering if there was any load rigging information on the web or what is considered the industry standard safe method to sling poles. I'm also wondering if on loads any type of backup sling is required. I've never seen one on any heavy(2-4000lbs) loads I've helped sling. On all the big stuff I've slinged if one strap or chain fails you lose the load. Seems unsafe to me.
Light pole removal
- Thread starter wawireguy
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
No 'back up straps' are required for lifting.
Typically we use a heavy rope with a half hitch around the top of the pole and fastened to the hand hole. However these have been steel or Aluminum poles in the 200 - 400 pound range.
For the heavy cement ones I would just get an appropriately rated chocker strap and have at it.
Typically we use a heavy rope with a half hitch around the top of the pole and fastened to the hand hole. However these have been steel or Aluminum poles in the 200 - 400 pound range.
For the heavy cement ones I would just get an appropriately rated chocker strap and have at it.
charlietuna
Senior Member
Don't feel bad, electricians can come up with methods of lifting seen by no other trade!! The one thing is--never risk your rigging over something expensive!
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Bob's correct, for rigging backup protection is usually not provided. We had a tower crane accident in NYC not too long ago where the nylon sling broke while lift a tower crane collar. This set off a chain reaction that ultimately toppled the crane onto an adjacent building killing seven people.
jeremysterling
Senior Member
- Location
- Austin, TX
Don't feel bad, electricians can come up with methods of lifting seen by no other trade!! The one thing is--never risk your rigging over something expensive!
Charlie is right. Electricians are not good riggers. I cringe at some of the set-ups.
I've worked as maintenance electrician in a (oil) rig-up yard. I was also an overhead crane tech for 4 years. I've never pretended to know about rigging, but I know more than most electricians.
I've seen rigging poles with 1" ratchet strap and back-hoe resulted in broken strap and damaged pole.
Setting 45 kVA XFMR on 2X4s on scissor lift handrails and "securing" with rusty rope come-along or chainfall with questionable load brake. Yeah its up there on the rack in the ceiling, but come-on you can't honestly believe that was considered safe rigging.
I have a book from my crane days called "Bob's Overhead Crane & Rigging Handbook". This book was indispensable in my crane days.
Bob De Benedictis, Inc
948 River Ridge Road
Boone, North Carolina 28607
tel 704.264.2718
fax 704.264.0787
Don't feel bad, electricians can come up with methods of lifting seen by no other trade!! The one thing is--never risk your rigging over something expensive!
Like me!
I'm the ground crew on this job. At least we used real load straps for hoisting it. Didn't really like having to control the base though with all that weight held by some crummy looking strap.
charlietuna
Senior Member
Best one i ever did --i was working for another contractor--running a 12 story parking garage. 15 ton - 1200 kw emergency generator was an after-thought as we topped the garage out. The generator had to be installed on the 8th floor and we really didn't have much room between two buildings to swing it in??? We saved $80,000. by buying it early and another $18,000. in riggers costs by using the construction tower crane to set the generator on the roof--then jacked it up onto pipes and slowly rolled it around and down the ramps to the eighth floor and into the new generator room. I remember the crane operator bypassing the load limits on the crane!!!
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
So you never got caught?
jrannis
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Lauderdale/ Miami
Best one i ever did --i was working for another contractor--running a 12 story parking garage. 15 ton - 1200 kw emergency generator was an after-thought as we topped the garage out. The generator had to be installed on the 8th floor and we really didn't have much room between two buildings to swing it in??? We saved $80,000. by buying it early and another $18,000. in riggers costs by using the construction tower crane to set the generator on the roof--then jacked it up onto pipes and slowly rolled it around and down the ramps to the eighth floor and into the new generator room. I remember the crane operator bypassing the load limits on the crane!!!
I was wondering how you guys got that in there.
Was that on Brickell by any chance?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
So you never got caught?
You lost me.:-?
charlietuna
Senior Member
jrannis,
No, it was at the Centrust Building ! But i do agree with others that in many cases it is easier to hire a crane company -- i was always suprised their charges were cheaper than expected --while it doesn't tie up your men on the jobsite!
No, it was at the Centrust Building ! But i do agree with others that in many cases it is easier to hire a crane company -- i was always suprised their charges were cheaper than expected --while it doesn't tie up your men on the jobsite!
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
We use these instead of pipes for rolling heavy equipment or switchgear.
http://www.skarnesonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAL&Product_Code=M-6W
http://www.skarnesonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAL&Product_Code=M-6W
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
We use riggers and also a company that does pole work IF we feel we are getting over our head.
This is different than knowing when to wear your PPE, KNOW what is safe and know your limits.
This is different than knowing when to wear your PPE, KNOW what is safe and know your limits.
iaov
Senior Member
- Location
- Rhinelander WI
When I worked in a paper mill the electricians recieved an extra ten cents an hour that was riggers pay. Supposedly we were all trained riggers! I never received even a minute of training. I was in on lifting some very heavy switch gear at times but I did my best to never lift anything heavier than a door bell transformer if I could help it!!
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
CORRECTION:
This is NO different than knowing when to wear your PPE, KNOW what is safe and know your limits.
__________________
This is NO different than knowing when to wear your PPE, KNOW what is safe and know your limits.
__________________
jrannis
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Lauderdale/ Miami
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
When we were changing out A/C units on the roof of our buildings we found out that it was actually cheaper to do a helicopter lift than use a crane. Less set up time and less on site time. That was until we lifted a compressor into an enclosed area and the rotor wash created a vortex, ripped the tag line out of the guys hands and the compressor started spinning and bouncing off the walls like a pin ball. Was pretty hairy, us all on the ground, the compressor swinging around like crazy, the radio guy yelling "up, up, up". That'll get your heart going first thing in the morning.
- Status