AINSCOUGH’S SAM PITT TAKES MAKE THE SAFE CHOICE TO CRANE SAFETY 2021

Sam Pitt, project engineer at Ainscough Crane Hire, recently spoke at IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers) Crane Safety 2021, an event which brought together key players from the industry and beyond to discuss the latest developments in ensuring safety when working with cranes.

The virtual event saw presentations and discussions that explored what crane operators and manufacturers can do to avoid incidents, reduce risk and improve safety within existing budgets.

Sam has worked at Ainscough since the summer of 2016 and is based at the Stockton depot. Since joining he has played a key role in the planning and development of both installation and maintenance activities associated with onshore windfarms within Ainscough’s Special Projects team.

After being awarded an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Teesside University in 2012 Sam began his career with Mammoet UK where he developed his main area of expertise in the transport and heavy lift sector.

Having shared his insights at previous Crane Safety conferences, this year Sam delivered a presentation on the topic of Lifting on Onshore Wind farms.

Sam explored how careful consideration must be given to issues such as:

• Access & Egress – How to overcome issues arising from the remote areas where wind turbines are often located.
• Working at Height – Due to advances in technology wind turbines are designed with larger rotor diameters and higher hub heights. Sam discussed how such issues could be navigated while complying with LOLER regulations.
• Windspeeds – The audience learned from Sam of new technologies that can help improve safety during strong winds.

Concluding his presentation, Sam shared Ainscough’s guiding principle with the virtual audience: “Always Make the Safe Choice. Just because something has always been done this way or can be done that way does not mean it is the safest and best suited option. Only through challenging practice can we hope to raise the safety standards of the future.”

To find out more about Crane Safety 2021, visit https://events.imeche.org/ViewEvent?code=CMP7323.