Platform enhances worker safety at port

Port Otago has built a new platform to keep its workers safe while working on its straddle carriers.

The port owns 14 straddle carriers, which are responsible for moving containers off trucks, trains and to the ships.

When large container exchanges are happening, one straddle carrier can work up to 30 hours and move up to 300 containers.

Port Otago’s maintenance manager Matt Eves stands on a newly built platform to fix the port’s 14...
Port Otago’s maintenance manager Matt Eves stands on a newly built platform to fix the port’s 14 straddle carriers. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
The carriers are maintained in a 23m-high shed and previously mechanics had to climb up the straddle carrier’s ladder to be able to get to the top, which came with a "working at height risk".

The plan for the new design had been in the works for a
few years to try to find a good solution, port maintenance manager Matt Eves said.

"A draftsman came in, did the measurements and came up with the idea and we partnered with Action Engineering to put it altogether," he
said.

The $100,000 capital expenditure was signed off in November last year and it started being installed in February.

The new setup includes smart technology that recognises if a straddle is parked hard up against the platform, with the access gate unlocking only if the straddle is in the correct place.

It also includes a system for helping the straddle park firmly against the platforms, Mr Eves said.

"Because of the carriers’ height, they rock back and forth when they brake.

"That can mean it makes parking hard on the straddles and the building," he said.

To fix that, the platforms are spring-loaded so the carrier can nudge up against it.

The new system also means the mechanics who would be working on the carriers can carry their tools, spare parts and equipment up a stairwell to the top of the machines, rather than using the straddle’s ladder, Mr Eves said.

There are two different types of straddles at the port, some able to carry three containers and some four.

The three-high straddles are 11m high, while the four-high straddles are 14m.

The new system has been built to accommodate both.

The main aim was to minimise the health and safety risks, Mr Eves said.

"The way we were doing it before encouraged bad practice by climbing over hand rails and we didn’t have a safe access point to go from the structure of the building to the top of the machine.

"For the four-highs we had nothing in place.

"So we have added that and got rid of the bad practice."

It was very exciting to finally see the platform in place and ready to use, he said.

It is hoped the platform will be fully operational in the next few weeks.

riley.kennedy@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment