WINCH HIRE & THE ENVIRONMENT: OUR SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

As human beings, we’ve evolved to utilise tools to our advantage over thousands of years. Since we first learned to use rocks, sticks and plant life to support our survival, we’ve been streamlining the task of equipment manufacturing for future generations. Today, we use heavyweight industrial tools to help us to build skyscrapers, install electrical systems and manoeuvre huge shipping containers. We’re currently at a pinnacle for human invention and technology, where we’re all now looking to the future to see what’s next. Undoubtedly, a major concern for those in the construction and plant hire industries is sustainability, as we all look at how our daily actions are impacting the environment around us. Read on to find out more about the intersection between winch hire and sustainability, with an overview of the lifting equipment on offer from Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services. CONSTRUCTION & THE ENVIRONMENT The construction industry will play a big part in the survival of our planet, where the operations required to raise buildings and transform landscapes can often be incredibly harmful for the environment. The following elements of construction have the potential to harm our planet on a large scale as well as harming local environments closer to home: Fossil Fuel Consumption – Lots of the heavy machinery used for construction still relies on petrol and diesel power, where the burning of these produces harmful carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. A switch to electronic devices and hybrid vehicles on construction sites can help to reduce the impact of this. Habitat Destruction – Often building projects make the most of disused land or untouched countryside. Unless these pieces of land are protected in law, this could result in the destruction of natural habitats, where the removal of greenery can prevent the migration of vital pollinators across the country. New builds should aim to incorporate wildlife protections into their project planning to manage the harm caused by building work. Noise Pollution – Construction is often a noisy business, especially when drilling or demolition works are involved. To manage the impact this has on surrounding residents, sites should invest in reliable noise screens and sound mufflers to reduce the impact on the local environment. Water Pollution – During the construction process, there is a risk that run off from industrial activity will end up in local waterways, which can have a big impact on local biodiversity. To prevent this, sites should manage their liquid waste carefully and with appropriate risk assessments in place to avoid environmental damage. Air Pollution – In addition to the carbon emissions released through the use of fossil fuels, air quality may also be damaged by the release of dust and other pollutants during the construction process. The installation of appropriate dust screens and the use of water to limit dust quantities can help to manage this. WHAT IS A WINCH? A winch is a versatile piece of equipment that allows heavy objects to be pulled horizontally across the ground. These tend to consist of a sturdy rope or chain that can be attached to the item in question, where this chain will wind around a rotating drum which is turned by a hand crank or a motor. Most commonly, winches are used for construction tasks, vehicle recovery and the relocation of marine vessels. A hoist is a comparable piece of lifting equipment that is often confused with a winch. Hoists, in contrast to winches, are typically used for raising heavy loads vertically. As such, they are useful for lowering vehicles onto platforms or elevating building materials to a height. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF WINCH HIRE Winch hire allows professionals to temporarily secure lifting equipment for a range of projects, whether they need a winch to relocate a large boat or to manoeuvre heavy construction materials. This hiring process allows for expensive plant equipment to be rented out on a short term basis, which is often more affordable than buying a winch outright. In terms of environmental benefits, winch hire encourages a sustainable sharing of resources, rather than demanding that every site has their own brand new winch. This helps to preserve manufacturing resources whilst limiting the potential for equipment waste. In addition to this, winch hire allows for equipment users to select the most up to date models on the market, which will often be more environmentally friendly than older petrol versions. If you buy a winch, then you will be obliged to retain this equipment for a set period of time, even if it is no longer particularly fuel efficient compared to newer models. Winch hire means that you can select the newest in all electric and hybrid technology in order to limit the environmental impact of your project. WINCHES & RENEWABLE ENERGY Winches and hoists can be used for all kinds of construction projects, from the building of office blocks to the refurbishment of large sea-worthy vessels. One sector in particular that depends on this kind of equipment is renewable energy, where these projects often demand lots of heavy lifting and the manoeuvering of equipment. Whether it’s an offshore windfarm or a large scale solar installation, winches allow renewable energy sites to be constructed efficiently. OUR WINCHES & LIFTING EQUIPMENT Air Winches – This is a powerful winch option that runs on a system of compressed air, which allows the device to easily manoeuvre heavy loads. Air winches can also consist of automatic breaks and variable speed controls for precision lifting capabilities, where you can choose from a selection of different weight limitations according to your needs. Electric Winches – These devices are modelled on traditional diesel winches, but the mechanism runs on electricity. Often these winches come with Dynamic Power Optimisation settings, which allow for precision speed controls and a smooth hauling experience. These also make for a cleaner and more energy efficient alternative to winches powered by fossil fuels. Mooring Equipment – The marine industry relies on mooring equipment to make sure that vessels are secured probably when docked. We supply a range of essential boating accessories designed to help with this, including buoys, anchors, pennant wires and bollards. Load Monitoring – We supply a variety of essential load monitoring equipment, including load links and running line monitors, where these allow you to use all kinds of lifting equipment safely. For digital information storage, we also offer a selection of data logging equipment so you can manage your loads with precision. Spoolers – These are pieces of winching equipment that are designed to rotate your wire or rope around a barrel instrument. Our range includes electric, hydraulic and pneumatic options, designed to suit your project requirements. Hoists – Our hoists come in a wide range of sizes and models to suit your individual needs, whether you’re looking for a lightweight or heavy duty instrument. We offer both electric and manual hoists, where all our lifting equipment can be fitted at a bespoke height for your convenience. Rigging Equipment – Our range of rigging equipment allows for heavy loads to be manoeuvred safely, whatever your project requirements. We offer a wide range of products to assist you, including slings, shackles and wire rope. SECOND HAND & REFURBISHED WINCHES In addition to our winch hire services, we also offer all our customers the opportunity to browse our range of second hand and refurbished winches which are available to buy. Our range includes expertly restored lifting equipment and accessories, where our experienced team are ready to offer top industry insights and guidance on your purchase. Choosing a second hand product is the more sustainable option if you’re looking to purchase your own winch. This helps to reduce demand on manufacturing plants for new products, whilst preventing perfectly good equipment from ending up in landfill. As such, it is always best to seek out a suitable refurbished item to prioritise sustainability on your project. ATLAS WINCH HIRE & HOIST SERVICES: At Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services, we do our best to prioritise sustainable choices across all our projects, whether that’s through the provisioning of an electric winch or by giving our customers the opportunity to purchase refurbished lifting equipment. Get in touch with our main yard team today on 01899 221 577 to find out more about our comprehensive winch hire services.