Intro to Unloading & Shaking Out Steel
- Use a Crane and /or Forklift to unload steel.
- A foreman thinking 4 to 5 steps ahead of raising gang, detail crews and decking crews at all times.
- Placement of steel to minimize how far a crane has to swing, boom up or boom down.
- Placement of steel to minimize how far detail crew has to go to get the steel they are installing.
- The placement of deck on the structure to minimize how far the decking crew needs to drag deck.
- Always make it a point to unload steel in the areas that it needs to go in when possible to minimize how many times the steel has to be moved.
In this section we will go over the best practises of unloading and shaking out steel. It will be some what redundant as the uploading of steel is pretty straight forward and there is only a couple of ways to unload the steel component’s we will be going over in this section.
With that said, shaking out steel is a very critical piece to a successful project. When shaking out steel the foreman on project needs to be thinking 4 to 5 steps ahead of the rasing gang, detail crews and decking crews at all times, this is the key to building and keeping momentum as the projects progresses. The last thing you want is to have crews and crane standing around waiting for material to be brought to them.
The way a project is shaken out is everything. The better the placement of steel to minimize how far a crane has to swing, boom up or boom down is a huge time saving factor. How far a detail crew has to go to get the steel they are installing needs to be taken into consideration. The placement of deck on the structure to minimize how far the decking crew needs to drag deck is also crucial for time savings.
Always make it a point to unload steel in the areas that it needs to go in when possible to minimize how many times the steel has to be moved. Some General Contractors will want you to put the steel away from job site to keep it clear for things that they need to have done. Make it a point to work with them to get the steel as close as possible due to the fact that moving steel around after it is unloaded cost an Erector money that does not need to be spent when the time is taken in advance to coordinate where the most optimal places are to lay down the steel.
Unloading And Shaking Out Steel In Regards To Safety
Unloading Steel
- Workers must stay out of the danger zone created by moving equipment or loads to prevent being struck. If workers are in danger due to the movement of a load being lifted, a tagline must be used to control the load.
- All goods, materials, and equipment at job sites must be stacked, stored, and secured in such a way that they do not flow, move, roll, or collapse.
- Workers responsible for stacking, storing, or securing goods, materials, and equipment must be trained in the safe methods for doing so.
Positioning Trailers
- Inspect potential trailer spotting locations.
- Whenever possible, position trailers at site locations that have been packed and travelled, indicating that the soil can accommodate the weight.
Unloading Trailers
- The steel lay-down area should be clearly identified.
- Loads are strapped during shipping and relocation. Before unloading, check whether the load has shifted in anyway.
- Check loads for loose or dangerous pieces before un-strapping.
- Loads should be landed on a solid base or dunnage to minimize the potential for unexpected movement when weight comes off the hooks.
- Use a flag person at all vehicle/pedestrian traffic areas.
- Designated signallers must be in constant communication with the crane/forklift operator (visually or electronically).
Shaking Out Steel
- Use adequate dunnage between steel to give enough clearance and stability for hooking up activities.
- Keep hands and all body parts clear of pinch points and crush area.
- Avoid walking 0n 0r between beams in the Iay-down area.
- Stay clear of loads.
- Use tag lines on hard-to-control loads.
Use Of Shake Out Hooks
- Shake out hooks should not be used for erecting steel.
- Shake out hooks may be used for off-loading and at ground level for shaking out steel that is bunched or improperly stacked. This helps avoid pinching hands, fingers, and legs.
- Shake out hooks should not be used in conjunction with chokers.
Steel Estimating Solutions
Vince Hughes
505-249-2390
PS… If you are looking to take your estimating process into the 21st century, Steel Estimating Solutions can be a great resource to help you make that happen. I have been doing digital takeoffs since 2001 and have developed a pricing tool (actually much more than that) called the Steel Erection Bid Wizard. I have helped over 260 Steel Erectors to make the transition and would love to help you as well. Give me a call anytime.
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