Safety Above All: The Vital Supporting Role of Swift Lifts for Heavy Lifting of Concrete Tanks

Safety and efficiency are vital in handling large concrete tanks at a construction site. Traditionally, the lifting of such large structures is done with unsafe methods that  endangered workers and even the integrity of the tanks themselves. This corresponds to the older practice of unsecured lifting through holes on the sides of the tanks, which is not only obsolete but quite dangerous, too. 

This method, while once common, exposes the tank to uneven forces, increasing the likelihood of cracks or even catastrophic failure during lifting.

Today, systems with lifting capabilities, more advanced and of higher safety-like Swift Lifts-build concrete tanks to securely and stably lift them. Swift Lifts are a performance superior lifting anchor system for a cost-effective, reliable solution that maximises the safety and effectiveness of the operation at site. 

We will discuss the benefits accruable from the adoption of Swift Lifts over traditional concrete tank-lifting methods. It will focus, especially on three key aspects: safety, design integrity, and overall project efficiency.

The Dangers of Traditional Lifting Methods

Concrete tanks were earlier lifted by several jack-of-all-trades methods, threading cables or chains through drilled holes into their sides. While this may seem simple to some, there is several inherent risks associated with this, including:

Distribution of Stress:

Lifting a tank from its sides imparts uneven weight on it. Such uneven stress will create an unstable tilting-lever effect, or even rotation during the lift, that makes control over placing accuracy difficult. Stress concentrated around the holes might cause cracks, especially on older tanks or those with thinner walls.
Damages on Structure:

Drilling holes into a concrete tank itself creates compromising effects on the structural integrity of the tank. Those are the weak points from which cracks can initiate hence may lead to leakage or failure once the tank is brought into service.
Upon lifting, at such points, the concentrated load might further develop any existing weaknesses into a structural failure.

 

A close-up view of a heavy-duty metal shackle secured to a concrete surface, reminiscent of those found in wastewater systems. The shackle is weathered and shows signs of wear, indicating that it has been in use for a considerable time. The concrete around the shackle is also worn, with some small cracks and marks.

Safety hazards:

Because this is an unsecured method of lifting, sudden shifts or movements may result in the slipping out of the tank from its restraints, causing serious hazard to nearby workers.
In case the tank tilts or swings during the lift for some reason, it could impact with nearby structures, equipment, or personnel, damaging them or causing bodily injury.


The Advantage of Swift Lift
Swift Lifts represent a significant development in the handling of concrete tanks and slabs. Designed with safety and efficiency at their core, Swift Lifts boast several advantages over traditional methods of lifting, including the following:

Engineered for Safety:

Swift Lifts are purpose-built lifting anchors designed to handle heavy loads securely. When cast into the concrete during the manufacturing process, they provide a dedicated lifting point that ensures even weight distribution.
This robust design of Swift Lifts equips them with resisting forces that any other equipment or structure can only dream about in lifting large concrete tanks, therefore helping mitigate accidents.


Maintaining Structural Integrity:

Unlike methods which require some kind of drilling into the tank, Swift Lifts are embedded in the concrete during casting. This will not involve creating any type of hole that would weaken the structure.
This is accomplished because the stress is distributed uniformly throughout the body of the tank whenever it is being lifted from any of the provided lifting points, therefore preventing any chance of cracks or other structural failures.

Precision and Control:

With Swift Lifts, the procedure can become far more controlled. The way the lifting anchors are designed, further extended by interaction with lifting clutches and cranes, provides a secure connection that has very little risk of slippage or uncontrolled movement.
That precision makes it a lot easier to place a tank exactly where one needs it, at less risk of damage in placing it.


Versatility and Efficiency:

The Swift Lifts are available in various sizes with different weight capacities and, therefore, are suitable for a large variety of precast concrete elements-from small slabs up to large tanks.
As a result, Swift Lifts become quite versatile in use at every different project location, therefore providing on each and every project a realistic and dependable solution to lifting, which will guarantee the general effectiveness of a site. The Importance of Correct Lifting Design and Equipment
Clearly, advantages exist with Swift Lifts, but once more, their effectiveness is fully dependent on proper design and execution. The use of proper lifting design and equipment is extremely crucial towards ensuring safety and efficiency during the lifting process. Swift Lifts enable this process in the following ways:

Lifting Design:

The weight of the concrete tank needs to be estimated prior to any lift, after which it chooses the appropriate Swift Lift model to perform the job based on dimensions of the tank, configuration, and on-site lifting equipment.
The lifting process has to be designed by engineers with the appropriate placement of Swift Lifts placed in such a way that the most stable and balanced lift can be achieved.
Compatibility of Equipment:

Swift Lifts may only be used in conjunction with specific lifting clutches and/or cranes for the purpose of providing a safe linkage during the lift, reducing any possibility of detachment during said lift.
It should also be noted that Swift Lifts must be used in conjugation with equipment that they have been designed for use with in order for the connection to be safe and thereforely able to withstand the forces involved.


Site Safety Procedures:

This requires the execution of site-specific safety plans and includes the checking of lifting appliances and personnel training, which is one of the most vital elements in a safe lifting process.
There is a great need to closely inspect the Swift Lifts, clutches, and cranes for potential problems before they cause accidents.


Lifting Safety with Swift Lifts


This in itself is one huge leap forward regarding how safety and efficiency in the construction process are considered. Swift Lifts offer a safe, reliable, efficient solution to deal with oversized concrete tanks, without any possible risk that older methods brought about.

Swift Lifts distribute the load uniformly, conserving the structural integrity of the tanks and enhancing the safety of the lifting operation while extending the life expectancy of the tanks themselves. As construction projects grow in size and complexity, adopting modern solutions like Swift Lifts is no longer an example of best practice but an imperative.

The blog emphasizes the importance of proper lifting design and equipment; it brings out the fact that, where right tools and procedures are concerned, the risks associated with lifting heavy concrete structures can be considerably reduced, thereby opening the way for safer and more efficient construction sites.

For all you tank needs and for Australian made wastewater tanks including Septic Tanks and AWTS to name a few, visit our website at www.ecoseptic.com.au or call us on 1800 808 135