The Safe Use of Acrow Props and Other Equipment

We owe a lot of our spectacular modern infrastructure to the development of good construction equipment.  While the basic principles of physics are still the building blocks of these machines and tools, they have evolved in such a manner as to become a lot more efficient than their predecessors have.

For instance, when it comes to construction props, acrow props have come to be used more widely than the old-fashioned timber props.  That is because an acrow props can be used over and over again and adjusted to suit the needs of each project.  Besides steel props, forklifts, mixers, vibrating screens and excavators are also widely in use on construction sites today.

Even with the development of more sophisticated tools however, construction remains one of the most hazardous fields to work in.  For instance, in Europe, it is considered the second most dangerous landbased work sector; from falls to exposure to harmful chemicals to accidents resulting from the improper use of equipment, the risks that construction workers are exposed to are manifold.  Fortunately, attention to safety guidelines, and proper training significantly reduce these risks. Here are some ways in which construction workers can safely use their tools and equipment.

1.  Wearing protective clothing.  In many Third World countries, construction workers make do with little more than jeans and heavy boots.  Ideally, however, everyone should wear suits, hard hats, and steel-toed boots while onsite.  Depending on the particular job to which they are assigned, they may also have to use masks, goggles and gloves – for instance, while using welding equipment.

2.  Proper training.  The right training is also key to safety onsite.  It is a must for workers to be qualified for any jobs that they undertake.  For example, a special license is required for those who are operating heavy equipment.  While they may both have steering wheels and levers, driving a car and driving a backhoe or forklift are two very different things.  Those operating construction equipment need to be very well acquainted with their machines and the dangers they might pose to those working around them.

3.  Right usage.  Another critical element in construction safety is to use tools and equipment only for the purpose for which they were intended.  They should also be used only in the correct manner.  For instance, it is necessary to choose the correct size of acrow prop to bear a specific weight load.

An acrow prop that is too small could cause damage and collapse, while using one that is too large may not leave space to extend the prop to a length at which it can be used securely.  It is also inadvisable to tamper with the equipment in any way, such as extending the height of a prop with blocks of wood and the like.

Construction has always been a rather risky business, and has been so since the beginning of time. Nevertheless, with modern standards and modern maintenance and safety plans in place accidents can easily be avoided.

Now, getting the right construction tools is vital to ensure everybody’s safety. It is also important to get it from a reputable company.

What You Should Know About Acrow Props

Over the years, many different types of construction tools and equipment have evolved to keep up with the rapid pace of development and industrialization.  When the modern era gave rise to the burgeoning of cities, the need also emerged to create implements that would make the task of building faster and easier.  Today, there are many variations on traditional building equipment that are designed to be more efficient and less costly.  One of these is the acrow prop.

Acrow props are a type of construction prop that replaced old-fashioned timber props used for propping and shoring up masonry and curing slabs.  They were developed fairly recently, in the earlier half of the 20th century.  These props were the creation of a Swiss named William de Vigier who arrived in London in 1935.

At this time, most construction project made use of wooden props cut especially to fit the needs of each specific job.  De Vigier’s props however, were made of steel and could be used over and over again. While there was a bit of initial resistance to the new props in the industry, their use was eventually adopted by large building firms like Sir Robert McAlpine.  De Vigier named his creation the “acrow prop” after his solicitor, Mr. A. Crow - presumably because it was a name that was easier to remember than his own.

These props consist of a body that is telescopic in nature.  It has a base plate and a top plate as well as pins that allow for coarse and fine adjustment.  These props can be shortened or lengthened as the need arises, and has proved to be more cost-effective than the use of timber.  This is especially true at present, when there is a need to conserve wood for the sake of the environment.  These props have also been slightly redesigned to allow for easier stacking and storage.

This type of prop is very useful for several tasks on a construction site.  Besides supporting curing concrete slabs, it can also be used to hold up the higher floors or levels while pillars or supports are being completed.  It is also used in instances where these supports are in need of repair, as well as to support walls in cases where a hole or window has to be knocked into the brickwork.  In such cases, it is used together with wooden “needles” or “strongboys.”

This construction prop comes in five different sizes.  Each size is designed to support a specific amount of weight, with the maximum weight it can support halved when the prop is fully extended.  The length of the prop also varies.  The smallest size is about 3 feet and five inches long, while the largest can be as long as sixteen feet.

Acrow props are relatively easy to stack and store at present, but many contractors opt to rent or hire them instead of buying.  This is particularly true when a job only requires their use for a short or limited period. Remember to get these tools from a trusted seller to ensure safety and quality.