When the Playground Maintenance Team at South Australia’s City of Onkaparinga identified a potential hazard during a routine playground equipment maintenance check, it got to work to come up with a solution to the problem.
Council staff noticed that the installation of hammerlocks, which support and connect swing chains to the swing frame, was presenting a number of potential threats. These included risk to maintenance team members of hitting their fingers with a hammer, falling from the ladder, or even dropping a hammer on their co-worker, as installing the hooks was a two person job.
In the past, S hooks were used to support swings and play equipment, but as they are prone to opening and increase the likelihood of theft and vandalism, they are gradually being phased out with the longer lasting hammerlocks. Playground Maintenance Team Members carry out the replacements up to twice a week.
Council’s General Manager Projects and Services Bruce Williams said that before the development of the new tool, attaching the hammerlocks required two people. One person stood on a ladder to feed the centre pin through the loops and hold the bushing in the centre of the hammerlock. The centre pin was then tapped into position with a hammer, while another hammer was placed at the opposite end to provide a hard surface to hit against (anvil) and force the pin into place. A second person was required to stand at the base of the ladder to hold the chain steady.
“After discussing the issues associated with this process and potential solutions with the Playground Maintenance team, we approached a local engineering firm to develop these ideas into a reality,” Bruce Williams said. “The engineering firm worked with several team members to develop the new tool by modifying an existing vice grip tool with a new attachment. The tool was trialled in the field by several team members and was found to be effective.”
Bruce Williams said the Hammerlock Grip Tool substantially reduces the hazards identified in the standard installation of hammerlocks.
“The tool has a screwing mechanism that slowly pushes the centre pin into position without too much effort,” he said. “It totally removes the need to use a hammer at any time during the installation of the hammerlock, and therefore removes hazards such as hitting fingers with hammers or hammers falling onto the person working below the ladder. It also has a space to cradle all the hammerlock parts in a purpose built attachment.”
The Hammerlock Grip Tool can be set up at ground level and can be easily applied by using the screwing mechanism at the top of the ladder, which also reduces the risk of strains while working at the top of the ladder. The tool also allows for the reuse and easy removal of the centre pin if required because the screwing mechanism can be applied at the opposite end in order to push the pin out.
In addition, only one person is required to attach the hammerlocks to playground equipment, it is relatively inexpensive to produce at a cost of $130 each, and it can easily be used on any application where hammerlocks are used.
For further information contact Team Leader Parks and Natural Resources Chris Janssan on (08) 8384 0154.
