Managing Short Jacking Risks in Crane Truck and MEWP Operations

In the lines/Power & Energy industry across New Zealand, crane and EWP operators often face challenging scenarios. Picture a job site in a bustling urban environment or on rugged, uneven terrain, situations where space is tight and limited and fully extending a crane truck’s outriggers or an EWPs stabiliser’s simply isn’t an option. This is where ‘short jacking’ comes into play.

What is Short Jacking? Understanding the Core Concept

Short jacking is what this process is known as in the industry – the uneven or incomplete extension of the lines crane truck’s or EWP’s or  outriggers or jacks.  It’s a controversial issue because it makes the crane more vulnerable to imbalance and instability, increasing risk of accidents. While standard operating procedures advocate for full outrigger spread to ensure maximum stability, real-world conditions often require a reduced outrigger footprint.

Sometimes there’s simply no other option when working in confined spaces or on uneven ground to get the job done, so short jacking must be used to allow operators to access lines and complete essential jobs.

The Risks of Short Jacking: Prioritising Crane Stability and EWP Safety

It’s important not to take unnecessary risks when operators have to make this call, because short jacking is a significant area of concern due to the increased risk in crane instability. When an outrigger or jack isn’t fully extended, the unit’s ground bearing pressure can shift, making it highly susceptible to overbalancing or tipping. The hazards are considerable, potentially leading to:

• Serious accidents and injuries: A short-jacked crane that overbalances while operating can cause injury to operators.
• Costly downtime: Equipment damage results in delays and financial losses for businesses.
• Destruction of property: Uncontrolled tipping can result in damage to surrounding infrastructure.

Credits: Andy Jackson/Stuff Ltd

Advanced Technology for Safer Operations: The Lines Crane Truck Solution

Modern crane trucks are increasingly designed with technology to address the complexities of short jacking. These advancements are transforming crane truck outrigger safety:

• Electronic assessment systems: Integrated technology can assess the environment, calculate potential risks, and guide operators on the safest possible short jacking configuration for that specific situation.
• Positional load management: Newer truck models can electronically restrict the lift zone, automatically countering instability and enhancing EWP safety in tight spaces, even without full outrigger extension. This allows operators to work at height more securely.

These technological capabilities make the process safer, but they don’t eliminate the need for operators understanding load charts and rated capacity when working with a limited outrigger spread.

When operating a unit that doesn’t have electronic capabilities for calculating and dealing with the short jacking process, it’s vital that operators are constantly monitoring both the crane, the environment, and the hazards present. This helps them to remain aware of what could happen and what needs to be done to stay operational.

Waimea Group’s Commitment to Safety: Expertise in Specialist Lines Crane Trucks

At Waimea Group, we are committed to providing robust and safe solutions for the lines industry across New Zealand. We understand the challenges operators face and proactively address them through:

• Extensive testing and lift simulations: We rigorously test all our lines crane truck units and Linelift® EWP (elevated work platform) models to establish their safe lift zones under various operating conditions, including short jacking scenarios.
• Operator information and training: By conducting these simulations, we provide operators with precise data and clear guidelines on how to operate safely, preventing accidents and costly incidents.
• Advanced EWP technology: Our newer Linelift® builds are equipped with cutting edge technology that can analyse and counter instability caused by short jacking, ensuring operators can work at height safely.

Don’t take risks with your units and your operators – contact Kingsley Thomas today to find out the options for your unit and how you can safely navigate tight working environments