The Guidance Note for the Mechanised Handling of Drilling Tools is based on the implementation of the statement of intent agreed upon by its members which states: "Wherever reasonably practical, handling of augers, casings and rods during mini-piling and other specialist geotechnical operations shall be achieved by either of the following methods: a mechanised tool-handling system be fitted to the rig, for example a carousel, magazine; or a mechanised tool-handling device that can be attached to supporting equipment, such as an excavator's quick-hitch."
The guide reviews and presents the options currently available in the market to achieve the agreed stated aims, together with an assessment of each option's advantages and disadvantages.
It also identifies further development that is needed in the field of segmental auger piling where there are still challenges to be resolved to remove the manual handling requirement.
The guidance looks at the machines covered by EN16228 Part 2: Mobile Drill Rigs for Civil and Geotechnical Engineering, Quarrying & Mining before moving on to the many planning considerations that need to be factored in before mobilisation.
Phil Hines, past chair of the FPS, said: "The guidance this note provides will be useful for FPS members and those involved in piling, providing concise information about each mechanised option together with its pros and cons, for a given situation, with the ultimate aim of reducing risk and improving safety."
Risk reduction measures are detailed, as well as preferred and readily available mechanised tool handling devices such as:
- Rod (and casing) carousel
- Excavator mounted steel wrist
- Rig mounted HIAB/crane excavator (with lifting head)
- Winch (with lifting head)
- Winch with magnet
- Manipal and magnet
- Tilting rotary/jaw
And when mechanical means cannot be adopted,
- Manual handling
The guidance note is available for download via the FPS website.
