EXPERT COLUMN | LEEA How to lift pipes
aying pipes involves a variety of equipment and a safety culture should ensure its supply and use follows best practice. In many instances side boom pipe layers have superseded cranes in the oil, gas and water pipeline construction industries by virtue of their superior lifting capability, stability and precise control in challenging conditions. Their stability on unstable ground and in harsh environments is a critical factor for safety and productivity in pipeline projects.
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Specifically designed for the unique demands of pipeline construction, they lift and precisely lower heavy pipe sections into trenches, ensuring accurate placement and secure joint sealing. A crawler-type crane with a boom on the side, they lay pipe as the crane is moved along the edge of the trench. The development of sideboom attachments on construction vehicle platforms, such as bulldozers, provides another efficient solution and modern, hydraulically operated sidebooms continue to be vital tools for installing large-diameter pipes. Standard pipelayers typically do not have as high a capacity as sidebooms, but they are more versatile in pipelaying environments. Having a boom and counterweight on one side, restricts a sideboom to pipelaying only on one side of the vehicle, while a modern pipelayer features a rotating platform that allows the entire superstructure, including the mast and crew cabin, to turn 360 degrees for increased versatility and a wider working range.
Rules and regulations are not always standardised Regulations and standards have been introduced around the world to further minimise accidents and injuries. For example, in the UK, BS 7121 part 1 and part 14 give recommendations for the safe installation and use of pipelayers. Subjects covered include selection of pipelayers, planning the lifting operation, thorough examination, operation as well as safety measures to be taken during the execution of these functions. It also covers the selection and
12 | March 2026 |
www.hoistmagazine.com Ben Dobbs
Technical Committee
Ben Dobbs, head of global standards and legislation at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), gives an overview of the options for safely lifting of pipes.
round stock grabs for picking up round stock and pipe material up to 600mm in diameter quickly and safely, with a WLL of 100kg to 4,000kg. Pipes are among the wide range of loads a two leg sling can handle. The sling comprises two legs permanently connected at their upper ends by a suitable link. A three-leg sling, which has three legs permanently connected at their upper ends by a suitable link assembly, is commonly used to handle circular or irregularly shaped loads where the legs can be equally spaced. Slings can be used in a variety of ways
training of personnel involved in the safe installation and use of pipelayers. But regulations will not always be aligned on a global basis and there will be gaps in governance, legislation and regulation. What is required is a benchmark around the world that gives international workers and business the assurance of safety.
Recognised, reliable and respected globally This is where a globally recognised and respected association such as LEEA comes to the fore. For example, the latest version of the LEEA COPSULE (Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment) can be downloaded for free at
leeaint.com. It is authoritative, up to date industry practice and globally applicable guidance on a broad array of lifting equipment and activities includes handling pipes. There is, for example, a copious amount of guidance on slings and the variety of specialised hooks and clamps that are used for handling pipes. Examples of these items of equipment include concrete pipe lifting clamps with a three-legged chain sling for the vertical transportation of concrete pipe sections with a diameter of up to 2,000mm, pipe hooks used in pairs for the safe transport of pipes and have a working load limit (WLL) of 2,000kg up to 10,000kg and
according to the requirements of the job. Single leg or multi-leg slings may both be used in choke hitch, the basic advantages of which are firstly that a sling may be attached to a load that has no suitable lug, eyebolt or similar, and secondly that the sling tends to bind the load together. In forming a choke hitch, the sling is bent round a small diameter, which may be the eye of the sling itself or the saddle of a hook, link or other fitting.
A double wrap choke hitch is where the sling is passed one complete turn around the load before being choked. This increases the binding effect and should be used on loose loads such as bundles of tubes. The sling should be de-rated by the same amount as for ordinary choke hitch. The basket hitch is normally used with slings in pairs (for handling loads such as a large cylindrical object) but it is not suitable for cradling loose bundles. If only one sling is used, the sling should be passed through the load at a point above the centre of gravity to ensure it is safely secured. A double wrap basket hitch is when the sling is passed completely around the load. This will help to ensure the security of loose bundles. If security of the load is the prime consideration, then a double wrap choke hitch is recommended. This is just a brief overview of some of the options for lifting pipes and there is a lot more detailed guidance in the COPSULE. Lifting equipment users should also seek the advice of their LEEA member supplier.
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