Manhole lid lifter to improve employee safety

Manhole lids have the potential to ‘blow’ when under pressure from sewer stoppages, putting workers at risk. When manhole lids get stuck, workers have traditionally resorted to the use of various tools, with the potential to injure personnel, equipment and assets.

To address this issue and improve employee safety, Melbourne-based company iota’s field staff thought about developing a device which would enable workers to lift jammed lids and allow them to carry out work from a safe distance. The company trialled a prototype version of the original manhole lid lifter - this version was light, compact and easy to operate. After several field tests and modifications the company developed SafeLift - a portable, hydraulic, manhole lid lifting device.

This solution consists of the following: manually operated pump and ram; 4 metres of hydraulic hose keeps operator at a safe distance; heavy-duty steel hydraulic lift piston.

After testing on several manholes, iota found the equipment easy to operate, successfully breaking the seal of covers that were jammed. Following trials in the field, the company’s services staff provided positive feedback.

To test its capacity, the company used the SafeLift to break the seal on a heavy cover (900 x 900 mm). “Experience tells us that lids of this size would traditionally be difficult to lift and at times would need to be broken out using other tools, creating a need to replace the lid,” according to iota.

In the design and testing phase, there were challenges around lifting larger and heavier lids than the standard manhole. These challenges were overcome with the end design, which is capable of lifting 900 kg steel lids. Particularly useful when lid seals have become corroded, stuck or difficult to lift, the SafeLift also keeps the operator at a safe distance. The other key benefits include: reduced risk of injury to operators; reduced risk of breaking manhole lids; cost savings from minimal lid replacement; cost-effective and portable device; comes in a hard carry case to protect the pump and device.

The company believes that the introduction of this machine delivered considerable cost savings, where jammed covers would ‘break out’ and require replacement. The cost of replacing lids can be in excess of $1000 in some cases.

The device is currently being used by South East Water, Barwon Water, Western Water, Loy Yang Power, ACTEW AGL and others.

iota has so far received positive results in a large variety of situations. “There will always be some examples of lids that are permanently sealed in place, needing to be broken out and replaced; however, we believe the SafeLift will provide a great benefit to workers in the field, with the potential to reduce risks for work crews and save thousands in unnecessary manhole cover replacements,” says the company.

iota is the commercial arm of South East Water (SE Water). SE Water is the developer and IP owner of the product. Some components are purchased from an American manufacturer of pumps and fittings, while manufacturing of the piston mechanism is done by a local Australian engineering firm on the company’s behalf. iota was established by SE Water to capture innovation from across the organisation, test and prove ideas and concepts, and commercialise successful innovation and technology.