Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019

06 June 2019

Why put people’s lives at risk if you don’t have to? That’s a question all handymen, construction managers, and site workers should ask themselves.

With so many solutions available in today’s market, your options to safeguard a crew are endless. What is one of the most popular safety features in today’s market? With good reason, you’ll find chain blocks on many work sites.

Yes, this is a device designed to assist in heavy lifting. But we’re mentioning this in relation to safety too: the more pressure modern tools can handle, the less chance there is of workers getting injured.

So, this is how you increase productivity as well as keep your crew safe. Ready to know more?

What is a Chain Block?

Chain blocks (also known as a hand chain hoist) is a mechanism used to lift and lower heavy loads using a chain. When the chain is pulled, it winds around the wheels and begins to lift the item that is attached to the rope or chain via a hook.

How Does it Work?

At the end of the lifting chain is a grab hook. This allows a worker to easily attach and detach a load. Also, most chain hoist lifting mechanisms have ratchets or braking systems that prevent the loads from slipping back. It also allows you to lower a load by pulling the other side of the hand chain.

You can see the increased control a site worker can have in a situation with one of these forms part of the equipment that’s available. Increased control affects productivity and safety.

So what can you expect from the average chain blocks?

Specs and Description:

500kg – 2000kg working load limit
All steel construction
Suitable for industrial environments where dependability is a must
Weatherproof twin pawl brake
The Weston style two pawl brake is designed to hold the load during the operation
Industrial grade powder coating which provides a long-lasting finish designed to suit harsh environments
Zinc plated hand chain for a durable finish
Fully enclosed gearing protects the gears from debris and contamination

Respected suppliers provide chain blocks complete with Grade 80 alloy chain and forged alloy steel hooks. You should also look for quality suppliers who provide a large range of chain blocks to suit your needs. Each construction scenario is unique, so make sure your equipment caters for your needs.

Why Use Chain Blocks? Benefits You Need to Know:

When you purchase the right types, chain hoists can positively affect most aspects of your project:

Cost: A chain hoist will have a lower price point than an electric wire rope hoist. This does mean the capacity won’t be as high, but it will still offer you much more than a manual hoist.
Flexibility: A chain hoist is usually easier to move than a wire rope hoist, meaning it can be transported between sites. This can be a great advantage for construction professionals who work in various locations.
Vertical lifting: You can easily achieve a vertical lift. There is no lateral movement, as the chain is moved over a sprocket.
Diverse application: Chain Hoists can be used with a wide range of lifting equipment, including jib cranes and gantries. They can be used in low headroom areas, allowing you more flexibility with your specifications.

Unique Features:

Understanding this range of equipment is essential to optimize your use of them. Are you benefiting from these features yet?

Chain containers: This is the collection box that collects up excess slack on the chain, preventing the chain from getting damaged and stopping it damaging the load.
Limit switches: An upper and lower limit switch will let you set minimum & maximum hook paths. It protects the load from human error when lifting it or placing it down. This will also protect the hoist itself when lifting a heavy load.

There’s a reason there are many types of chain hoists on the market. Each has its own benefits, so don’t ignore the ones you haven’t tried. Even though manual types may require more effort than electric hoists, they still come with many benefits.

Manual Chain Hoist Advantages:

While manual chain hoists won’t lift quite as fast and effortlessly as electric hoists, there are many advantages:

They don’t require any electricity or power source. This makes them much more portable compared to electric hoists so you can have the benefit of a hoist on remote work sites.
They’re more cost-efficient compared to electric or hydraulic hoists. Not only do electric hoists cost more initially, but they also raise electricity bills.
The simple design of manual hoists makes it easier to repair and maintain. No complex motors, wires, or electrical/hydraulic systems.
Although electric chain hoists can lift heavier loads, manual hoists can still have working load limits (WLL) up to 20 tons. As long as what you’re lifting is below that, there’s no reason not to opt for a manual hoist.

You can pick from two main styles of manual chain hoists: hand hoists and lever hoists.

Conclusion:

Are you up to date with the latest in construction equipment? It’s how you become more efficient and manage a safe work environment.

If you have questions or feedback, please share your comment on our page or tweet about your personal view and experience about chain blocks. Let’s learn from each other.

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Planning Your Next Commercial or Residential Project? 6 Ways an Architect Can Help

Whether you're interested in designing a new commercial building for your business, a new home to live in, or an addition for a home or business, the right help can be crucial. An architect is essential for these and related projects and can provide a number of benefits that will make a huge difference in the long run. Make Sure Everything is Practical Depending on what the plan is, there may be a need to check and make sure everything is actually practical. Is the land appropriately set up for the building or addition? Is there anything that doesn't make sense about the overall plan? An architect will look through to make sure everything looks good before getting into the details of the design. Cochran has more information if you'd like to learn more. Determine if There are Restrictions There may be a local, county, or state restrictions that can be applicable to the building or addition. These need to be discovered at the beginning of the design process so workarounds can be found. Restrictions may include zoning restrictions like how tall the building can be, how far the addition must be from the property line, or even whether the entire project is allowed. Add to Design for the Future Architects aren't just going to think of what's happening right now. They'll also consider the future for the business or home and help you come up with ideas that may future-proof the building or addition. This helps ensure the building is going to continue to be relevant and useful long into the future. Reduce Overall Costs Any construction is going to be expensive. While there are many ways to cut costs, some just aren't worth the savings. An architect can help find ways to save money without sacrificing anything that's needed or the overall quality of the project. If you're on a budget, hiring an architect can help reduce overall costs so the project stays on budget. Help Create a Green Building Energy efficiency can make a huge difference in energy bills and impact on the environment. If an energy-efficient building is needed or desired, an architect is a right person to ask for help. They can use various design elements to create a building or addition that's energy-efficient, or green, to help reduce the impact on the environment and help you save money. Visualize the Design What will the design actually look like when everything is done? Is it going to be what you're imagining? An architect can draft visual designs and stake out the property so it's easier to see exactly how big everything is, where everything will go, and what the project will look like when everything is done. That helps provide a better idea of what the final project looks like so you can ensure it will be exactly what's needed for your home or business. If you're planning any construction, whether it's commercial or residential, an architect can provide a lot of help and allow you to meet all of the goals. Take the time to speak with an architect today to learn more about what they can do to help with the project and what's going to be improved by having the right help from the beginning. You won't want to handle the project without them. Read Also: 3 Ways to Boost Employee Engagement in Your Business Important Things to Know Before Starting a Home Improvement Project

How to Choose the Right Commercial Collection Agency

It’s a scenario no business likes to be in, but one that may end up experiencing: having to collect money from late-paying customers. The bottom line is that your business isn’t a charity, and you need every dollar account for in the revenue flow if you want to succeed and expand. But how do you go about collecting money owed to you in a way that doesn’t alienate or spook a potentially longstanding client? It is a tricky question, and one best solved by a commercial collection agency. But before you go outsourcing collections to the first agency you find – who may very well use intimidating tactics that could spoil your customer relationship – consider the kind of agency you want. This article will help you in your decision, listing a few key indicators of a successful, non-disruptive and worthwhile commercial collection agency. Look at Their Recovery Rate Before this article gets into matters of how a collection agency collects (which is an important consideration for your business), it is perhaps best to judge them on purely statistical merit. The best way to go about doing this is to look at their “recovery rate” – the amount of debt in a given time, divided by the amount of debt returned – and compare it to the industry average. For instance, an industry leader like Summitcollects.com has a recovery rate double the industry average, a clear indicator of performance and success. Diplomacy is Key Debt collection has a negative reputation, thanks in large part to some agencies who collect unethically, and who use strong-arm tactics to meet their bottom lines. This is not the kind of commercial collection agency you want to fraternize with – their blunt and abrasive approach is likely to tarnish your organization’s hard earned reputation. Instead, choose a commercial collection dedicated to diplomacy, one who understands the first-party collection just as well as third-party, and understands the value of maintaining your reputation. How Do They Make Their Money? Most commercial collection agencies worth their salt will post this loud and clear on their website; if they don’t, be wary. Do they require upfront costs and ongoing work? If so, give them a pass. If, on the other hand, they run a contingency model – where they get paid from what you get paid, if you get paid –that’s the sign of an honest, confident agency. Issues of Transparency You as a business have a right to know how your case is doing. To that end, try and find a company that strives to keep you updated, preferably via real-time software, on the status of your case. The best agencies have nothing to hide and will be more than happy to oblige in this request. Needing a commercial collection agency is not typically a situation businesses plan to be in, but it is sometimes necessary. To avoid overpaying for an ineffective, avoidant, reputation-tarnishing commercial collection agency, follow the tips above, and regain the money owed to you. Read Also: Why You Should Use A Recruitment Agency To Find Your Next Medical Job Top 7 Reasons To Hire A Private Detective Agency During Divorce Cases How To Start Social Media Agency In India

Construction Safety Systems: Promoting A Safer Industry

Safety is a critical factor in any construction site. However, some construction workers and management overlook safety until an accident happens. Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous professions since many accidents occur, leading to injuries. Therefore, employers and professionals managing construction projects should use safety systems for ethical and financial reasons. They should also ensure that the workers understand the risks and are cautious when working in hazardous situations. This is because accidents and injuries in construction sites lead to medical bills, project delays, lost work hours, compensation lawsuits, and headaches for human resource departments. This piece highlights how construction project managers can promote safety and prevent workplace accidents. What Is Construction Site Protection? Construction site protection is nothing but keeping yourself and others from construction-associated activities like injury, disease, and even death. It is often a hazardous endeavor where site employees are exposed to potential risks. For instance, a worker is working at a height or relocating machinery which is extremely heavy. The resulting causes of a construction site fatality include electrocution, falls, and crush injuries. Common Hazards Taking Place At A Construction Site Hazards taking place at a construction site have caused deaths and injuries all across the world. When hazard identifications fail, it is either due to a lack of safety systems or improper training. Before we delve into the ways of maintaining construction-place safety, let us first discover what are the common hazards that take place in a site: Falling From Heights One of the most common fatal injuries that site workers experience is falling from height. According to HSE, 47% of employee fatalities are caused by falling from heights. Every employee who operates at height requires proper training and the right set of equipment. Although safety harnesses are important at every construction site, some do not wear them and, as a result, fall from height. Trips, Falls & Slips Another very common construction hazard is trips, slips, and falls. Construction sites usually have uneven terrain and unchanged terrain. Hence, trips, falls, and slips are no surprises at all. More than seven thousand construction workers are either injured severely or die due to a major trip or fall. It is the duty of managers and site supervisors to manage the site effectively to ensure the safe movement of workers. Tremendous Noise A lot of workers have complained about prolonged hearing problems and deafness when they work around loud and repetitive noises. They are also a dangerous distraction that distracts a worker from his job and results in accidents. A comprehensive assessment stating noise risk must be highlighted to avoid noise-related construction site hazards. Steps To Maintain Safety In A Construction Site Workplace safety is a significant consideration- irrespective of where you work. But when it comes to construction, particularly, one must always be careful. Even the smallest mistake can result in a life-altering consequence. Thinking about how to do so? Here are a set of steps that might help you: Create Awareness About Safety Hazards Ignorant workers are among the most significant dangers because they could make terrible mistakes, putting everyone at risk. Construction site managers should ensure the workers understand the possible hazards before they set foot on a construction site. Understanding the risks ensures workers stay alert to prevent and respond to accidents. Therefore, employers should use OSHA safety guidelines to equip workers with the necessary knowledge to enhance safety. Only workers or visitors aware of the dangers of a construction site should be allowed access. Quality Equipment Workers need quality equipment and a spacious workplace to perform their tasks without causing accidents. Wrong or faulty equipment increases the chances of accidents and injuries. Therefore, construction managers should pay attention to equipment maintenance schedules and provide quality safety systems. They can also seek help from Doka and other companies that provide safety systems and equipment. It is also crucial to prevent exposure-related issues such as dehydration by providing water and using personal protective equipment. Training Workers Some construction workers gain skills on the job, but safety training is best offered before accessing the site. The authorities concerned with workplace safety often publish resources to help construction companies train their workers. For example, they provide worksheets, pamphlets, training videos, and sometimes one-on-one training. Safety training is important not just for new workers but also for experienced workers. Therefore, construction firms should organize training to ensure all the workers gain or refresh their safety knowledge. The safety training can focus on simple things such as using a ladder or fall protection to ensure all the workers are well informed. Documentation Proper documentation is crucial for workplace safety. Construction sites must meet certain legal and safety standards before construction work begins. Therefore, construction firms should only commence operations with relevant licenses and documents. Contractors undertaking specific tasks such as blasting must provide relevant certification before accessing the site. Documentation protects the construction firm and helps prevent accidents and public scrutiny. Effective Communication Accidents usually happen when the workers are unaware of what to do or expect in a certain situation. However, sharing information about construction goals, objectives, and daily activities can reduce surprises or mistakes that could cause harm. Besides, the construction management should provide communication devices and tools such as headsets, walkie-talkies, and smartphones to ensure effective communication about workplace hazards. Effective communication ensures everyone is informed, enhancing operations and reducing safety risks. Supervision Construction employees should always follow the relevant safety guidelines and institute mitigation measures. However, since not all workers will follow the relevant procedures, supervision can help identify loopholes and enforce safety standards. For example, supervisors should keep tabs on all workers and ensure they have relevant safety gear. The workers should report any safety concerns to the supervisor for appropriate mitigation measures. The Bottom Line… Stay Safe! Construction companies should build quality structures while minimizing accidents, injuries, deaths, and related lawsuits. The hope of reducing accidents in construction sites lies in raising awareness, safety training, effective communication, supervision, documentation, and quality equipment. These simple things can help reduce accidents, enhance safety, and prevent legal issues associated with workplace accidents. Read Also: Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know Construction Safety – What you didn’t know! Top 7 Safety Tips For Road Construction

Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019