Spreader frame enhances caravan lifting safety
21 November 2022A UK south coast holiday parks operator that uses mobile cranes to locate or reposition caravans and lodges has said it has enhanced safety and productivity thanks to support from Britlift, a lifting equipment engineering company specialising in below-the-hook equipment design, manufacture, certification, testing and supply.
Dave Bennett is the CEO of Waterside Holiday Group, which runs three parks in Dorset and one in Cornwall. Its Waterside site is expanding from 35 to 50 acres, to accommodate 600 pitches. The caravans on site can weigh up to 7.0t, while cedar lodges at the group’s nearby Osmington park are up to 15t.
“We went to Britlift to help us understand the safest way to carry our caravan and lodge lifts,” said Bennett. “It is very important as a family business that we are safeguarding everyone on-site when we carry out these operations, by ensuring we lift in a safe and proper way.
“We needed lifting frames for a wide range of weights from 1.0t up to 15t, as we didn’t want to be buying five different frames and have the team unsure about which one to use. We also did not want something that was massively over-engineered and hard to move around site. It had to be a lighter-weight system that would be quicker and easier for the team to move and assemble the rig, frame and spreader beams.”
Bennett continued: “Britlift visited us and took the time to understand exactly what we wanted and was versatile enough to come up with a bespoke solution – something that had never been done before in our sector and I have been in the industry for 30 years. Caravans come in different weights and dimensions and have different lifting points. Britlift created a tailor-made solution that is easy for our team to use.”
Waterside purchased a spreader frame from Britlift three years ago and recently purchased a second, updated version. “The new one is a more modular design, which is even more cost-effective,” said Justin Smith, Waterside Group’s health and safety compliance manager. “It is very quick to change the sizes and set-ups, has a lower weight and is even more manoeuvrable.
“I would have no hesitation in recommending Britlift to other holiday park operators. Working with Britlift ensures we engage in best practice for all our lifting procedures, plus they have been extremely supportive and helpful throughout.”
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