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Railway Sleepers

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Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Anyone got any insights into the manual handling of railway sleepers?

I know there are grab-like things that can be used, such as these but they're really for carrying one between 4 people for a short distance
https://www.lawtontools.co.uk/en/wp-con ... er-nip.jpg
and not much use getting a sleeper into the back of a Landscaper's Van, DIY-er's estate car, etc, when people buy them at a garden centre or timber yard.

If anyone has some thoughts, I'm open to suggestions.
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by toecutter »

I know that if your wife finds one washed up by the river after a flood and decides it's imperative she has it for her garden, you're far better off telling her to forget it than trying to single-handedly wrestle the thing home...
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by toecutter »

That said, a folding canoe portage trolley actually worked pretty well in the end.
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Anyone else got any info, other than toecutter's exploits at flood salvage ;)

I've a new client who has been visited by the LA H&S after a 'complaint by a member of the public' Ummmm... and aside from having a whole load of things to sort out starting with a Policy, the LA Inspector was very concerned with MH of Railway Sleepers, but how else do you slide them into the back of White Van Man's van, or the back of someone's car?
Always bearing in mind that it's a bare dirt field site, not a tarmac/brick car park surface ..... .scratch
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Bump....

Anyone would think it was the height of Summer the lack of activity around here. ;)

Has nobody got any input on loading Railway sleeper size timber into the back of a van? :(
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by Essex »

I got this through today. Not sure if it helps:

https://safety.networkrail.co.uk/wp-con ... eepers.pdf
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Thanks Essex.
Not any 'help' as such unfortunately, due to differences between Steel, Concrete and Wood sleepers, but an interesting read, especially the statement
There is currently no safe method for lifting a
sleeper off a trolley and this task is therefore
prohibited.
So you can put them on a trolley but can't get them off.....
That's a problem then!! :lol:
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by Toasterinthebath »

Hi Berni,

I have read the post and am I right in thinking this is for a garden centre type business?

I imagine the client will have at least a forklift truck at site or some plant machinery for the tough terrain? Would it be possible for them to look into something similar to this what can lift a heavy item and transport to the vehicle?.

https://www.hss.com/hire/c/lifting-and- ... ck-lifters

Just an idea :D
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Hi SwinDawg
getting a sleeper into the back of a Landscaper's Van, DIY-er's estate car, etc, when people buy them at a garden centre or timber yard.
General transportation is not a problem, they have two Rough Terrain JCB FLTs. The separation of FLTs, 44ft Arctic delivery trucks and members of the public are a whole different question which I am addressing by changing the yard layout (hopefully).

I've got to do a RA on the picking up of individual items as they haven't got any at present and the Local Authority paid them a visit last month, hence me being called in. ;)
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by Penfold »

Hi Berni

not sure if its a help but I know of a local landscaping firm who have recently purchased tongs similar to these and say they are working great:

https://www.speedyservices.com/73_5115- ... -100kg-swl

or these

https://www.speedyservices.com/73_5135- ... -200kg-swl

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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by bernicarey »

Hi Penfold
Thanks, I've looked at those type of lifting handles. They're great in an open space, but if you imagine stooping with them in the back of a 'White Van' they just don't work. and with the length of a Sleeper, about 8ft, it also becomes a 4 man lift as you need 2 handles.
A case of they'd never get used as they are impractical; there's only 2 guys work the yard.
I'm thinking they're going to have to stick with a 2 man lift and suitable training. The 2 guys that work there have been there years and haven't hurt themselves yet, it's just that there's nothing documented for any H&S.
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Re: Railway Sleepers

Post by Penfold »

Hi Berni

I spoke to the landscaping firm last night (before the football!) about how they do the task.

if they cant use the tongs due to space restrictions they also have a trolley they strap it to and two of them move it to location or works vehicle. they have gone through additional MH training to look at how lift can be done and even got some extra advice from a local physio on how to move into restricted spaces

hope this helps

Ian
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