Most important rule KEEP AWAY FROM THE HANDLE on a Warwick, Dog Sylvester, Dwanger, what ever you want to call it. Everyone who has carried steel will have a grisly story about the aftermath of one springing open. They always catch the face and it’s normally on the chin.
If you’re going to Corus and Clugsons it will normally be all one length and the same type. Make sure you have all your PPE on at all times (Corus is fussy about chinstraps sometimes as well). Make sure you tell them your maximum load weight, as both will give you anything from 22-28 tonnes.
Take 6-8 four-inch thick, trailer width timbers to support the load this is so the large forks will fit under the load. (Use them doubled up, sat one on top of the other)
Minimum of 3 chains and Warwick’s (I’d take 6 Warwick’s if you have them so you can nip the chain up both sides)
We know 3 foot of scaffolding tube is not supposed to be used but as brummie said you need it sometimes and it keeps you away from the handle! . When undoing them put your hand under the handle with your arm fully stretched then pull upwards moving away from the handle at the same time. Treat them with respect and you will be OK.
Try to use the ratchet binders when ever possible. You can get them tighter than the others when used properly anyway.
The last time I went to Trumans at Walkden I was there for 5 and a half hours and still didn’t get tipped. Boss told me to chain it up and bring it back to Teesside. Its still in the yard and as been for the last 9 days. There was four motors behind me and they all got tipped and were on their way whilst I was still in the bay waiting for the crane. Hope you have a better tip than I did.
Be carefull with those snap warricks the do hurt when they kick back and get you in the mouth. I have a scar to prove it, although I was lucky and didn’t loose any teeth or break anything, Ratchet types are better. Good luck with the steel its not that bad, the only awkward loads I have had are pipes within pipe-stands which then have to be sheeted. As far as beams are concerned they travel well just remember to brake a little bit earlier and a bit more gentle than normal.
flatbedman:
why do people dive in without reading posts correctly?
pat, i wasnt on about load security, i was on about strapping the bundles for the overhead crane, i used to have to climb all over the load with the straps whilst the crane operator stood on the floor smoking and drinking coffee whilst also having time to chat to his mate, really hard work!!
flatbedman:
why do people dive in without reading posts correctly?
pat, i wasnt on about load security, i was on about strapping the bundles for the overhead crane, i used to have to climb all over the load with the straps whilst the crane operator stood on the floor smoking and drinking coffee whilst also having time to chat to his mate, really hard work!!
paul
When we unloaded at CBA Metals is was the companys Health and Safety policy for employees NOT to climb on to visting trucks to assist with unloading (due to a unfortunate accident a few years ago when someone was injured badly doing so). Although quite often we did just to get the load turned around quicker. Just ask anyone that has taken a full load to Acton Bright Steel in Staines about slow tipping! All we asked was that the put the chains around the bundles of steel whilst the warehouse operative operated the overhead crane. If the driver had no idea of what to do instuction was always given. (not exactly rocket science )
In my present job 75% of all loads are handball off so even if we get a forklift we always help!
Most places will ask you to help sling the load but if your employer doesn’t insure you to do so stay well clear. Sick money isn’t much to live on. Even if they do insure you you’re supposed to have a slingers course under your belt.
I was very lucky then. In two n a’alf years full time, on steel (for Corus, British Steel then), I got a severe thump in the ribs from my dwang extension, and stepped off my trailer once (I was loading 3.5m plate by magnet, and just stepped straight off a short, wide plate backwards ).
The crane op’ nearly fell out of his cab laughing.
Luckily, as I stepped off I realised and half turned it into a jump, so got far enough away from the stacked plates, otherwise it could have been pretty nasty.
Dwangs on plate, especially wide plate. A chain link will often catch on a corner, so you think that the chain is tight. Then it lets go with a bang and you can go flying , OK if you are on the floor, but a different matter if you’re on top of the load.
You might get chains with hooks on the ends, these can be hooked on the CHASSIS, never on the edge of your trailer or rope hooks. Otherwise wrap them right round the chassis and load. Chains should be of at least 5 tonne breaking strain and should have a small metal test tag attached to them, telling you that they are tested up to date and what the breaking strain is. It does get damaged and lost tho’. Rope hooks at the most are designed for a 1.5t breaking strain.
I have seen 3 occasions when a load trunked up overnight has left Scunny with a 10inch overhang on both sides and arrived in Bellshill with a 20inch overhang on 1 side only. A blowout on the trailer caused the load to jump but the chains kept it on the trailer.
( 5t breaking strain comes from:- 26t(ish ) load, sideways security 50% = 13t, 3 chains minimum = 5t including a bit extra for additional security.)
I always used to wrap up my chains, between loads. Some people do, some don’t. I did it because it took me one hand to lift a chain, carry it to where I wanted it and it was easy to throw under my trailer to start securing the load. The method used is, to take the end of your chain and pull a short length out straight. Then take a fresh hold and make a P shape then zig-zag the rest of your chain over the vertical leg of the P. Take the bottom of the chain and the circle of the P, twist the loop round a bit further and pass the free end through the loop and pull it tight. When you put the chain into the box, leave the free end hanging out, otherwise it will get lost among all the other links , if that happens you’ll find the other reason why I used to wrap-up my chains.
I dived in didn’t I 
)
backwards 
) load, sideways security 50% = 13t, 3 chains minimum = 5t including a bit extra for additional security.)
, if that happens you’ll find the other reason why I used to wrap-up my chains.