David will be presenting at the Crane Safety 2024 technical event on 15 October 2024 at One Birdcage Walk; for the full agenda and to book, please visit the event website.
Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with regards to the Lifting and Crane industry and this event?
David Hall (DH): I am the head of lifting operations for the C1-ALIGN section of HS2, a position I've held for 3.5 years, constructing a 3.5km viaduct and 16.5km twin bore tunnels. My experience includes key projects like Hinckley Point C, Lower Thames Crossing, A2 Bean Project, Project Brock, and the Olympic stadium. I participate in industry groups such as the Rigging Engineering Basics 3rd edition, CITB Training standards review, ILLAPG (Industry Lifting Lead AP Group), and HS2 Lifting SHWeLT. Over my 26-year career, my focus has been on changing the shape of lifting operations for the construction industry.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
DH: The primary challenge we faced in the C1-ALIGN project regarding lifting operations has been ensuring competency. Specifically, we struggled with placing slinger signallers and crane supervisors in roles that matched their experience and knowledge levels. Suppliers often send employees on training courses, expecting them to immediately handle lifting operations without fully understanding the associated hazards and risks. The industry is now at a critical juncture, with the CITB striving to enhance training delivery and content. It's crucial for suppliers and principal contractors to invest in developing their most valuable asset: their people.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?
DH: I will be discussing how we have leveraged AI-driven weather prediction and downtime technology to mitigate risks in crane operations, earthworks, and concrete construction. By incorporating these advanced tools, we can anticipate weather-related disruptions and plan accordingly, minimising delays and enhancing safety protocols. This strategic move has been pivotal for our project, allowing us to optimise the scheduling of programmed works, reduce unforeseen interruptions, and protect our personnel and assets. The use of AI has revolutionised our approach to risk management, ensuring higher efficiency and safety across all phases of construction.
What would you say are the areas of innovation across the UK lifting and crane industry?
DH: Hand injuries and crushing incidents are prevalent across the lifting industry, making the safety of our personnel a top priority for us as Appointed Persons and as a business. Emerging technologies in lifting operations are reducing unnecessary load interactions by slinger signallers, significantly enhancing safety. For instance, new systems using gyros and water-propelled fans manipulate loads to the correct orientation without manual intervention. Additionally, a lifting yoke with a continuous gear-driven chain tilts loads, such as stairs or precast concrete, to the right pitch, replacing manually operated chain blocks. This device is remotely operated, eliminating the need for manual exertion, and keeping workers at a safe distance from the load.
The industry is also updating training practices with the “Hands off, Step away, Safe space” initiative. This initiative aims to change the behaviour of trainers and slinger signallers by encouraging planners, supervisors, and frontline workers to carefully consider their interactions with loads from the initial pick-up stage. These advancements and behavioural shifts are poised to transform safety standards, significantly reducing the risk of hand injuries, and crushing incidents, thereby ensuring a safer working environment for all.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the program?
DH:
Planning for safe lifting operations, improving competency and managing human factors, and understanding the risks of crane hire and how to manage accountability.
Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
DH: It's vital for engineers to attend a crane safety conference to stay current on safety innovations, regulations, and best practices. This knowledge enhances their ability to design safer systems, prevent accidents, and ensure compliance, thereby protecting both personnel and equipment.
This year's Crane Safety technical event will return to One Birdcage Walk on 15 October 2024
Now in its eighth iteration, the event addresses the key challenges of safety, risk and compliance to inform and support all those involved in lifting projects.
Join to meet and hear from Health & Safety Executive, Liftra, Align JV, Metswift, Mamoet, Sir Robert McAlpine, Terex Cranes, and more; for the full agenda and to book your place please visit the event website.
Plus: access all the presentations at the co-located Sustainable and Decarbonised Construction event, taking place at the same time. Bring your colleagues and maximise the learning and networking at our technical events.