Using the right kind of equipment can make all the difference when handling material on a mine site, and with Nivek Industries’ machines doing the heavy-lifting, one can never go wrong.
When people think about safe handling practices, the conversation often begins with lifting techniques, weight limits and manual handling training. While these controls are important, they do not always address where the greatest risks sit in heavy industry.
In many maintenance environments, high-risk tasks involve awkward positioning, unstable loads, restricted access and the need for workers to guide components manually into place. These moments introduce strain, pinch points and exposure to crush zones, particularly when work is performed at height or within confined areas.
This is where equipment design becomes critical.
At Nivek Industries, the Lift Assist (LA) 40 and LA80 support arms are engineered to improve stability and control during maintenance activities. Rather than relying on workers to manually hold, balance or manoeuvre heavy components, the LA arms provide controlled elevation and consistent support throughout the task.
With actuator powered operation and engineered stability, the LA40 and LA80 allow components to be raised, positioned and adjusted without placing workers directly beneath suspended loads or within crush zones. By supporting loads mechanically and maintaining alignment, these tools significantly reduce awkward postures and manual strain.
Safe handling, in this context, begins before the lift even occurs. It begins with selecting equipment that removes the need for hands-on stabilising and builds control into the process itself.
“Not everyone can safely lift 20 or 30kg, and they shouldn’t have to,” Nivek Industries WHS Officer Rosey Holland said. “Our systems open material handling work up to a broader workforce by doing the heavy lifting and holding, while the operator focuses on precision.”
However, controlled elevation is only one part of managing high-risk tasks.
When servicing activities involve the removal and replacement of large, complex or heavily secured components, the level of risk increases. Precision, alignment and sustained load stability become essential. This is where safe handling must extend beyond elevation and into full task control.
Nivek’s machines, such as the Tracked Elevating Device (TED) and Big TED are designed specifically to manage heavy component removal and installation with maximum stability. Rather than workers manually guiding loads into place, these systems support, align and stabilise components throughout the entire process.
When paired with purpose-built attachments, both machines maintain consistent load control during servicing tasks that would traditionally require multiple workers operating in close proximity to suspended or shifting components.
By reducing sudden load movement and eliminating “hold it there” moments, these machines remove workers from the line of fire.
In one servicing scenario, a task that previously required several workers to manually guide and stabilise a component during removal was undertaken using Big TED. The component remained stable and aligned throughout the operation, removing hands from hazardous zones and significantly reducing physical strain. The outcome was safer, more controlled and far more efficient, without increasing complexity.
Along with supporting the load, removing the operator from the immediate area enhances safety by reducing the risk of injury from falling debris that may be dislodged during the removal process.
For Nivek, offering safe heavy-duty solutions goes beyond business – it is based on a deep personal experience of just how dangerous these operations can be.
“If the job is unavoidable, the difference then is whether it’s done in a way that exposes people to unnecessary risk,” Nivek Industries general manager Derrick Cant said.
Effective safe handling practices are strongest when risks are addressed at the design stage. Nivek’s equipment, such as the LA40, LA80, TED and Big TED, demonstrates how engineering controls can eliminate or significantly reduce exposure to high-risk manual handling tasks before work begins.
“Whether it’s hydraulic torque wrenches, super nuts or specialised plant maintenance, we can design attachments that cradle the load, control movement and eliminate manual handling,” Cant said.
Safe handling does not start when the load is lifted. It starts with how the task is undertaken, how control is maintained throughout the process, and how the right equipment supports workers to complete high-risk work safely and efficiently.
This feature appeared in the May-June edition of Safe to Work.
