The LGH MEGALIFT team was called
upon to use its flair and creativity to devise a solution for a
problem involving a tanker of dangerous chemicals. The tanker, which
had become bonded to its trailer, needed to be moved to a safe place
for disposal.
The chemicals were extremely flammable, and as such the whole building
had to be cocooned to create a safety bubble. This created difficulties
in lifting the vessel. Health and safety officers in charge of the
area would not sanction the removal of any of the protective cocoon
during the lifting of the vessel; this greatly reduced the options
open the engineers.
The MEGALFT team was brought in to assist with the safe removal
of the vessel and initially carried an engineering study and risk
assessment. From this they created a novel solution to the problem.
The MEGALIFT tracks were laid, travelling from outside the protective
sheeting through and up to the vessel. The MEGALIFT jacking legs
were erected on the tracks outside the protective sheeting. 12 metre
lifting beams were fitted to the MEGALIFT system creating two long
arms with which to lift the vessel. To counter balance the weight
of the vessel during lifting, 20t of ballast was attached to the
rear of the system.
It was agreed that the vessel needed to be lifted at se veral points
while monitoring the load, to ensure the integrity of the vessel
and the safe handling of the chemicals. Several slings were therefore
passed around the body of the vessel. At each lifting point a Load
Shackle was attached enabling the loading to be monitored accurately.
The MEGALIFT system was moved along its tracking until the slings
could be attached to the lifting beams by means of lever hoists.
The vessel was then removed from the building by reversing the MEGALIFT
system along its tracks. Plastic sheeting was placed over the vessel
as it emerged to protect it from the elements.
Everyone was extremely pleased that the potentially dangerous vessel
had been removed safely thanks to the care and creativity applied
by the MEGALIFT team.
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