Safer Pump Lifting in Sewage Environments with the Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook
Submersible pumps in sewage pump stations must regularly be lifted for inspection, service and repairs. These lifts are often performed in deep, dirty and confined environments where operators have limited or no visibility of the lifting point.
For Roslagsvatten, a Swedish public utility company responsible for water and wastewater management in several municipalities north of Stockholm, safe pump handling is critical.
To improve both safety and efficiency, Roslagsvatten uses the Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook when lifting pumps in sewage pumping stations.
Reliable Pump Lifting Even Without Visibility
Many pumps are positioned several meters below ground level inside sewage wells. In these environments, technicians often cannot see the lifting eye when lowering the hook.
The Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook makes it possible to connect to the load mechanically, even without direct visibility. Once the hook is loaded, it automatically secures the load.
This allows technicians to perform lifting operations more safely and efficiently while minimizing manual handling in difficult environments.
Replacing Unsafe Improvised Solutions
Before adopting the Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook, Roslagsvatten modified standard lifting hooks to make it easier to catch the lifting eye of the pumps.
According to Ronnie Kasterman, who has worked with water management for almost 30 years, this was far from an ideal solution.
“Previously, we removed the latch of a standard lifting hook and ground part of the opening to make it easier to catch the lifting eye of the pump. It did not seem to be such a safe method.”
There was always a risk that the hook only partially engaged the lifting eye — something that might not become visible until the pump emerged from the water.
Today, the Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook is the approved solution for pump lifting at Roslagsvatten.
Automatic Release During Reinstallation
Once servicing is completed, the pump must be lowered back into position inside the pump station.
The Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook automatically releases the load only after the pump is fully unloaded and the lifting chain or wire becomes slack. This allows the operator to position the pump correctly before disconnecting the hook.
The result is safer handling and reduced need for manual intervention in hazardous sewage environments.
Automatic Safety Hook
The Gigasense Automatic Safety Hook automatically hooks up, safety locks and releases. The risk for injury is dramatically reduced. No personnel is required in the dangerous loading or drop zone.
Automatic Safety hook – BIG C (PDF)
Designed for Harsh and Demanding Environments
The Automatic Safety Hook is particularly suitable for environments where lifting equipment is exposed to:
- Sewage and contamination
- Moisture and corrosion
- Limited visibility
- Confined spaces
- Frequent maintenance operations
Typical applications include:
- Sewage pump stations
- Wastewater treatment facilities
- Municipal utilities
- Industrial maintenance
- Service contractors
- Submersible pump handling
About Roslagsvatten
Roslagsvatten was founded in 1989 as Sweden’s first municipally owned water and sewage company. The company supplies drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 130,000 people, industries and businesses in the greater Stockholm region.
Roslagsvatten operates numerous sewage pumping stations and manages ongoing maintenance of critical water and wastewater infrastructure.
