The German manufacturer of construction hoists and industrial hoists is building 6,000 m2 of office space to provide room for 220 company employees to work, plus a publicly accessible restaurant. Helping the crane operator reach his cabin safely is a GEDA 2 PK hoist. Following the topping-out ceremony in April marking the completion of the skeleton, work will continue, with the building scheduled to be completed and opened in the spring of 2024.
According to GEDA, more and more countries will introduce rules and regulations aimed at providing operators with assistance in climbing cranes higher than 30 metres. At present this rule is already in effect in the Netherlands, France, and parts of Scandinavia. GEDA believes its 2 PK offers the ideal solution. The system has been proven for around 25 years. It is compatibility with any brand of crane, making it particularly attractive to leasing companies.
Depending on the customer’s needs, the GEDA 2 PK can climb a variety of heights up to 150 metres. On the GEDA building site, the crane operator is transported to a height of approximately 30 metres before walking the few metres to his cabin.
The lift has patented components including quick release connectors for the ladder sections and ian ntegrated cable channel.
The lift has a speed of 24 m/minutes, saving the operator from exhaustive climbing. According to GEDA, the 2 PK not only makes the climb to the cab five times faster, it also safeguards their health. To climb a crane 60 metres high, for instance, an operator without a lift would take roughly 12.5 minutes, exerting extreme stress on their body. As such GEDA believes its lift increases efficiency on the site as well as helping to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. It says that providing drivers with an easier way to climb tower cranes allows them to remain on the job longer, and older workers can continue doing the job. Employers who make equipment like this available are significantly more attractive to applicants and win out over their competitors, it claims. The crane operator lift also makes it easy for workers to carry tools or materials for service and maintenance, vastly reducing the risk of injury or falling.
GEDA says the system also enhances safety as once the crane operator reaches the top the car, measuring 1.1 m x 0.6 m, opens and a small ramp with guardrails folds down. Together with the access barrier on the crane, the operator can step across to the cabin risk free, it claims. A speed-regulated fall brake and electrical safety features are designed to guarantee safety and prevent errors in operation. In emergencies, the crane operator lift can also become a life saver, GEDA adds. Since the 2 PK is big enough to transport two people, weighing up to a total of 200 kg, it allows help to be sent to the driver quickly, should they need it, and both people can come down together.
