The Forestry Forum

Health and Safety => Health and Safety => Topic started by: TexasTimbers on November 21, 2005, 07:00:32 AM

Title: Winching heavy loads .......
Post by: TexasTimbers on November 21, 2005, 07:00:32 AM
Of course Logs fall into this category as well as sea containers. I was making another post earlier and wanted to find out what the proper nomenclature was for the locking mechanisms so I could include them in my post. Never did find an IPB for a sea container but I stumbled across this article which I thought might give someone pause next time they are winching a load which might be dangerous, or a light load which meets a bind.
If you are standing in the "line of fire" and the cable or rope breaks, you could meet your Maker earlier than you might think. The article calls it the "Danger Zone".

Safety Tips for Winching Heavy Loads (http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/pagebin/injrsign0275.htm)
Title: Re: Winching heavy loads .......
Post by: Minnesota_boy on November 22, 2005, 07:01:43 AM
I have a neighbor, a young man that we'll call One Eye Jack.  He was using the winch on his 4-wheeler and wasn't using proper safety techniques.  Now he has one eye.  Nuff said.
Title: Re: Winching heavy loads .......
Post by: sawguy21 on November 25, 2005, 08:11:17 AM
I used to be involved with moving seacans and we never used a chain bridle. Absolutely no give. Wire rope only with a minimum of 5:1 safety factor.  We preferred to use a crane but did not always have one available.
Seems that  operator was not paying attention when the load hit the end of the deck and stopped. A protective barrier behind the controls might be an idea but I am not sure if it would be practical. This loading method is used all the time in the oil patch. I'll have a look at some bed tractors to see what protection is used