Introduction
Material handling is one of the most sensitive operations in construction. This is because it involves human capital which is the most valued and fragile resource that exists in any construction process. Proper material handling principles are very important as they ensure employee safety and thus cut potential costs in the form of accident covers and insurances.
In Melbourne for a person to work on a construction site, he has to be well trained on the proper material handling systems and accident prevention methods. The person should also be preferably trained by a certified construction school (Bailey, 1998).
Many injuries result from improper material handling. Back pains are caused by repetitive and heavy jobs in unnatural positions. This is the most common construction-related injury. Strains in the hands, legs and other parts of the body are caused by continuously working the body without allowing it time to recover. Accidents such as falls are also caused by improper material handling.
The Melbourne authorities have issued specific guidelines to all construction personnel to aid in their work:
Material lifting requirements
Loads should always be lifted when the back of the operator is straightened; all heavy loads should be lifted from a squat position. Personnel should always avoid lifting loads that are heavy; in such a case the operator should call for assistance or employ the use of lifting machinery. Lifting of loads from a low point should always be done using the legs, the legs should serve as a lifting mechanism to the operator at all times. Jerking motions and twisting motions while lifting or carrying a load is ill-advised (Chew, 2000). The construction personnel should be provided with grip aiding gloves and equipment so as to eliminate the possibility of accidents occurring.
Material carrying requirements
The operator should ensure that he can properly see where he is going and that his vision has not been obstructed by the load. While moving loads the operator should only use nonslippery and clean routes. In cases where the route is not clean, the operator should report the issue to the site supervisors.
Storage of materials
A comprehensive plan and system should be prepared as to how materials are to be stored. Logical systems on how materials, tools, and equipment are to be located are mandatory. This will enable easy retrieval and inventory keeping. Materials such as tiles, bricks, and plumbing supplies should be arranged in tiers and the tiers secured to prevent accidents.
Planning and design as pertains to material handling
Material movement pathways and routes should be carefully designed. They should be in such a way to minimize unnecessary movement and congestion of the pathways. Sufficient lighting and ventilation should also be considered when planning on where to locate the pathways. Steep gradients and slopes should be avoided as they tend to encourage the occurrence of accidents.
Crane Requirements
There are various requirements that have been set so as to govern the use of cranes in Melbourne. According to (Bailey 1998, pg 16) the first type of requirement is the manufacturer – user requirement. This highlights the mandate that the crane manufacturer bestows to the user and the responsibilities that each has.
Manufacturer – contractor requirements
The building contractor must adhere to the specifications of the crane. He should operate the crane below the maximum limit and is responsible for ensuring its proper use at all times. All crane capacities and their capable speeds and loads should be posted on the crane. The post should be visible to all users and operators. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that all staff that operates the machinery are properly trained. The staff should be continually assessed to verify if they qualify to operate the cranes. Eyesight and the ability to interpret sound are of utmost importance to all crane operators to avoid accidents. All cranes should be regularly checked and assessed for damages. Hour limits should be set for every working part of the crane and replacements should be done regardless of whether the part is worn out or not after the part has exceeded its working limit. Lastly, the contractor is bound not to make any modifications or adjustments to the cranes that would otherwise affect the performance or the safety of the cranes.
Crane inspection requirements
Pre-inspection is the first step in inspecting a crane. This is the gathering of data on the operator’s skill and the specifications of the crane. This should be done before the actual inspection. The crane setup should also be reviewed to assess the levelness of the ground in which the crane stands, the stability of the crane, and the structural integrity of the equipment as a whole. Electrical dangers and potential risks in the crane itself and the surrounding environment should be checked. Load charts are also made available to the operators and their ability to interpret the charts is also analyzed. (Jacobs, 2009)
There are two types of inspection; the first type is the frequent inspections which are done daily or monthly. These inspections are done at each shift by the operator before starting his machine. It involves the basic components of a crane. The second type is periodic inspection. Periodic inspections are done every one to twelve months and is done by qualified mechanical engineers. These are thorough and involve the replacement of worn-out parts.
Recommended types of crane for the project
No major construction process has ever been done by a single type of crane. This is because the construction process involves a collection of unique scenarios that require unique solutions. Each crane is suited to a certain type of load and movement. In Melbourne construction, there are several types of cranes that will be needed.
Tower cranes will be needed for lifting heavy loads to high altitudes. This crane is the most reliable type of crane and is suited to Melbourne construction. However, the main shortcoming of this crane is that it cannot be moved since it is fixed to the ground. The company will also need to invest heavily in the crane setup; it is costly and time-consuming.
Moveable cranes such as truck-mounted cranes will be needed to complement the tower crane where it lacks. The moveable cranes will be used for light lifting work and manipulation of the construction materials. The setup costs for the moveable trucks are low and they are easy to install.
Telescopic cranes should also be used in the construction as they can reach more areas as compared to truck-mounted cranes. These cranes have a boom that can be manipulated using controlled hydraulics by the operator. This will prove beneficial in the construction process ( Jacobs, 2009).
There are many types of cranes available locally in Australia and they can be easily acquired for construction activities.
Reference List
Bailey, Ian., 1998. Construction Law in Australia. Australia: Lawbook Company.
Chew, M., 2000. Construction technology for tall buildings. Singapore: National University of Singapore Press.
Jacobs, B., 2009. Tower Cranes. Mexico: ASME books.