Transport, Handling & Installation

CPSA member companies undertake through their hauliers to deliver products in a safe and secure manner.

The recipients of such deliveries have a responsibility to ensure that they have full knowledge of all aspects of the delivery and to make sure that the offloading operation is carried out safely with minimal risk to all parties.

Offloading Guide A Guide for offloading deliveries from concrete pipeline products suppliers is available from CPSA. Member companies are available to advise on general handling of products and specialised lifting equipment. Download Offloading Guide

Pipe Lifting and Pipe laying

Concrete pipes and ancillary products are available with special lifting points, designed for safe transporting, pipe laying and jointing.

CPSA members have introduced a new pipe lifter, designed to improve site safety and speed up installation. The pipe lifter removes the need for operatives to be placed on the back of vehicles, eliminating working at height during offloading of deliveries.

The lifter also enables pipes to be quickly and securely lifted, provides easy access to apply joint lubricant prior to positioning in the trench and then releasing the pipe once it is properly jointed.

Manual Handling

Lighter weight products made from other materials may initially appear easier to use and some suppliers have suggested that these items can be used without the need for mechanical lifting equipment.

In fact, according to Health & Safety Executive guidance on weight limitations for manual handling, many lighter weight products are in excess of the upper limit for safe lifting. In many cases, this means that HSE guidelines and Safety Best Practice are not being followed and the use of “light weight” as a marketing tool could lead to lack of appropriate risk assessment and safety management on site. CPSA's Information sheet on Manual Handling offers sufficient information on this.