Groundworking
The groundworking industry stands as a fundamental pillar of construction projects across the world, laying the foundations for infrastructural development. Whether that be excavating, installing utilities, or preparing sites, the importance of groundworking operations should not be understated.
The groundworking industry stands as a fundamental pillar of construction projects across the world, laying the foundations for infrastructural development. Whether that be excavating, installing utilities, or preparing sites, the importance of groundworking operations should not be understated.
Before the first brick is laid, or trench is dug, groundworkers begin meticulously preparing the stage for the planned construction activities. Their responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, across a variety of different terrains and landscapes, all of which demand the utmost planning, precision, expertise, and suite of specialist tools and machinery.
Lifting equipment serves as the true backbone of any groundworking operations, facilitating the movement and transportation of heavy materials, machinery, and personnel to, from, and throughout a busy worksite.
The types of lifting equipment utilised on groundworking projects is vast, with each piece designed to address a specific task, with efficiency, productivity, and safety at the core.
Common of the types of lifting equipment found on a groundswork setting
Cranes:
We’ve all see a tower crane dominate the skyline on a construction site, so its far to say that a crane is the quintessential lifting solution found in a dynamic groundworking environment, assisting in the hoisting and manoeuvring of heavy loads. Whether it be a tower crane, mobile crane, or truck-mounted crane, this type of equipment plays a pivotal role in expediting even the most complex and demanding construction timelines with precision.
Telehandlers & Boom Lifts:
Bridging the gap between cranes and forklifts, telehandlers provide both a lifting capability and extended reach. Commonly featuring telescoping booms that can often extend both horizontally and vertically, boom lifts assist in lifting loads to elevated positions and agile moving across sites.
Forklift Trucks & Attachments:
The workhorses of the construction industry, forklift trucks come in an array of configurations, from counterbalance, rough terrain, and reach, catering for a diverse range of lifting requirements particularly in groundwork scenarios.
Available with a comprehensive range of specialist attachments – such as hooks, grabs, chains, and rotators - that transform your truck into a multi-faceted machine, forklifts typically excel in the unloading and loading of materials, transporting of palletised goods across worksites, and supporting other critical logistical operations. A truly indispensable piece of machinery,
Hoists:
Electric and manual hoists form a part of the groundworking landscape by facilitating the lifting and movement of materials, equipment, and personnel in and out of excavated areas. In addition, they can be used for erecting temporary structures, as well as installing required utilities onsite.
Other:
Other commonly used pieces of lifting gear include scissor lifts, lifting tables, and platforms, magnetic lifters, chain slings, mobile gantries and shearlegs, excavators, cherry pickers, safety harnesses, and of course, personnel protective equipment (PPE).
Groundworking Collections
DID YOU KNOW?
Excavators play a vital role in groundworking projects, but do not always require thorough examinations according to LOLER. Excavators that have a lifting eye and are used for lifting operations are subject to a thorough examination under LOLER 1998, but if they are only used for ‘conventional earth moving’ then PUWER provisions apply.
Under PUWER (Provision of Work Equipment Regulations) 1998 there must be an appropriate maintenance regime in place and regular inspections take place by a competent person.
