| Safe transportation and changing of hammer on drill rigs |
DESCRIPTION
The blasting team at Tunstead Quarry was concerned about the safety of the process for transporting and changing the 70kg hammer on a drill rig. The hammer was cylindrical and had no purpose designed lifting points. Operators were exposed to the risks from manual handling, fingertrap and crushing injuries.
The solution was to use a trailer fitted with a powered lifting winch. A slewing arm was designed to lift the hammer from a frame located on the trailer. The hammer could be slewed across and coupled to the drill stem or returned to a second frame located either in the workshop or on site.
BENEFITS
• Safer operation with no manual handling
• Hammers can be coupled to drill stem supported by lifting arm and secured by sling
• Operator can remove himself from area where drill is being extended to couple with hammer
• Improved efficiency, productivity and reduced risk of damage when hammer in transport
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