Mammoet Australia Rolls Out Hands-Free Lifting

Mammoet Australia has launched hands-free lifting across its operations in a bid to boost workplace safety.

The implemented work practice aims to reduce the risk of hand and finger injuries during the handling of suspended loads and equipment under tension, ensuring safety and efficiency, the heavy-lift specialist said.

Hands-free lifting, which includes the use of taglines and push-pull sticks of varying lengths and designs, avoids direct contact with suspended loads while connected to lifting devices.

The push-pull sticks can be used to adjust the position and orientation of loads without the need for hands-on manipulation, keeping workers at a safe distance. They also allow taglines to be retrieved remotely, Mammoet said, which is ideal to avoid walking into the drop zone.

Hands-free lifting began in early 2023 at Mammoet's yards and project sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and has since been rolled out across all Mammoet Australia operations.

“It is our priority to advance the industry’s safe practices,” said Ryan Binedell, SHEQ Manager at Mammoet Australia.

“While the use of hands-free lifting tools isn’t new to the industry, it’s often been seen as optional and utilized when convenient. Elimination and substitution are the most accessible and effective control measures in hazard management. So we aim to integrate hands-free lifting from the outset of any task where the use of hands can be avoided. By challenging the use of hands, we enhance planning and highlight SIMOPS risks, which we then mitigate through a planned approach to a lift and installation.”


Mammoet will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe on 21-23 May at Rotterdam. Meet the team at Stand 1D20-E21.