Safe operation of pipelayer equipment depends on the safety aspects designed into the manufacturer’s equipment, and the appropriate selection, treatment and maintenance of the machinery over time by the owner-operator.
1. Safety is key
Any pipeline construction site will involve the use of many different pieces of equipment operated and monitored by a workforce that needs to remain safe.
PipeLine Machinery‘s Dawn Rivera says “On a pipeline job site you have an assortment of moving, heavy equipment in various types of terrain and environments.”
Because of this, you should ensure any pipelayers you purchase have key safety and stability features included that prevent tip-overs, and safety precautions to protect the operators and workers that work on and around the immediate vicinity of the equipment. Remember to thoroughly check the safety features before purchasing any piece of equipment.
2. Work with your manufacturer to ensure your needs are met
Equipment manufacturers should consult and work with the industry and operators about their needs – as an operator, you should maintain communication with your equipment manufacturer to constantly improve the safety of the machinery you’re operating.
Maats Pipeline Equipment‘s Lycke Koersen says “We are always in close contact with pipeline owners and operators to find out if there are possibilities for improving the safety of our machinery. We are always looking for ways to further raise the level of safety of our machinery in order to lower the number of accidents and incidents on jobsites.”
Volvo‘s Derrick Butterfield says that Volvo’s built-in stability and safety features have been purpose-designed to protect the operator and overall worksite safety as the first priority, while also maximising site productivity.
For contractors, it is important to offer training for those that are to operate and work in the surrounding area of the machines.
3. Maintain your machines
It is important to be on top of any safety issues that may arise over the lifespan of your equipment, and regular checks will help to ensure this.
Midwestern Manufacturing‘s Doug Garner says “As per ASME B30.14, the standard for sideboom tractors, the owner/operator should maintain daily, frequent and periodic inspection logs and maintain the equipment as necessary for safe and proper functions.”
The importance of maintenace cannot be underestimated. Ms Koersen says “Proper maintenance – or maintenance according to the manufacturers’ instructions – is mandatory to ensure a correct functioning of the machine as a whole. Lack of maintenance can result in non-functioning of parts and safety features, which in both cases undoubtedly compromises the equipment safety.”
4. Embrace innovation
Safety improvements continue to be made within the pipelayer/sideboom industry, and owners and operators should be aware of safety developments and innovations to ensure their workforce is always operating the best machinery possible.
Ms Rivera says “The load-monitor indicator (LMI) is the latest in innovation and technology that wirelessly feeds load information to the operator. This safety feature is invaluable, especially for less seasoned operators. While the LMI is only mandatory in a few countries at present, the implications of this device for keeping operators safe cannot be ignored by anyone.”
Mr Garner also says Load Monitoring Systems are currently recommended as an operational aid and will be required on all new sideboom tractors in the future.
Staying up to date with industry developments and requirements will mean contractors and operators are working in the safest environment possible, with the safest machinery.