When it also involved a difficult, restricted site with roof areas up to 180 metres long over 5 different levels, it soon became apparent that a Helicopter was the feasible solution. And so it was that BAM Construction Ltd gave the go-ahead for what proved to be a highly successful co-operation between Radius and Helirig – who provided both the helicopter and pilot, at Waterloo Station in March 2012.
SAFETY IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
Radius’s role was to ensure the lifting of the plant under slung by helicopter was carried out safely and on time with the maximum of care and minimum of disruption. Safety was, and always is, paramount to Radius; it informs everything we do and every decision we take.
To ensure the project was delivered on budget, it was agreed that all 22 items to be lifted would be packaged together to ensure we did not exceed 10 lifts in total.
Maximising the loads to be lifted and creating a schedule around them were both key. The plant was delivered to an off-site facility to enable different items of plant to be repackaged together. Each load was then weighed to confirm the maximum weight did not exceed 2500kg. With the final sling positions secured, all the prepared loads were lifted onto transport to be delivered to site.
Given the location of this particular project, a certain amount of disruption was inevitable, but the busy thoroughfare was closed at 9pm the night before the operation to allow for the load out of the plant onto the road ready for lifting.
First thing the next morning the helicopter was at work for just 45minutes and half an hour later the road was reopened.
The whole project was a great success for all concerned and has served to further reinforce Radius’s position as a key specialist lifting operations supplier.
Radius Group Limited were great. We employed them to manage the actual lifts themselves and carry out the slinging. The way they approached it and the way they carried it out on the day was absolutely superb.