Portable winching frame

The team took the opportunity to consider the challenge, ultimately designing and fabricating a portable winching frame. The portable frame is bolted onto the access hatch, and with the aid of a level block the J-Pipe is pulled out to the point where the slew crane can attach vertically to complete the lift.

The new frame allows the J-Pipe to come straight out to eliminate the chance of catching on the access hatch and keeps hands out of the red zone between the J-Pipe and access hatch as it exits.

This cost-efficient and original concept eliminates the likelihood of team members being in the line of fire when the J-Pipe is removed and the risk of the J-Pipe or crane latch becoming jammed against the access hatch during the process.

With a custom-built scaffold to set up the frame, this portable innovation allows the crane boom to stay clear of any obstructions while reducing requirements for a side load and eliminates the exposed edge and requirement for a worker to wear a harness.

A fantastic piece of work from the team at Gladstone Operations, who have now been nominated for the 2023/2024 Monadelphous Managing Directors Safety Innovation Award.