by Shannon Scruggs, PSG Safety Director
The chainfall and come-along are two very common manual mechanical lifting devices. Both are designed to provide safety to those using them. But they must be used properly if they are to function safely. Remember the following precautions:
1. Always use the proper capacity hoist for the job you are about to do, remembering that two people pulling on the hand chain will increase the amount you can physically lift but will not increase the capacity of the hoist you are using.
2. Inspect the hoist before you begin to lift any load. Check the upper and lower hooks to see that they swivel properly and are in good shape. Check the inspection date on the hoist housing to ensure it has been inspected within the last 12 months.
3. Inspect the full length of chain as much as possible, look for badly gouged, worn or defective links. Make a load test by lifting and lowering a load slightly. This will tell the operator if the unit is functioning properly.
4. Stand completely clear of the load at all times. Allow no portion of your body or a fellow worker’s body under the load.
5. Center the load under the hoist.
6. Always properly seat the load in the hook.
7. Proper care and handling make a safe hoist. Remember the hoist was designed to ease our burden, and carelessness not only endangers the operator, but in many cases, a valuable load. Keep the chain hoists free of dirt and foreign material. Store all hand chain hoists in a hanging position in a clean area.
8. Do not attempt to “fix” a defective chainfall or come-along. Tag it as “defective” and have it returned to the toolroom for repair or disposal.
Treat the hoist properly, respect its limitations and it will work safely for a long time to come.
Remember: Hazard Awareness + Hazard Mitigation + Focus = Zero Injuries
Keeping the Electricity Flowing
/in Events, News /by Mike.LakeWe have quite a few projects ongoing at the moment, even with current COVID-19 concerns. Providing electricity to homes all across the country is vital to the well-being of the public, and it is our responsibility to continue on as we try to get through this together. The men and women that are out in the field performing this work are making a sacrifice for all of us as the country continues to tighten restrictions on travel and access to everyday necessities. We’d like to thank turbine maintenance personnel all across the World for what they are doing right now to keep electricity flowing – stay safe and healthy out there!
PSG Customers and Suppliers – Our COVID-19 Action Plan
/in Events /by Mike.LakePSG and our affiliated companies, Orbital Energy Services (OES), Turbine Generator Maintenance (TGM), and Airco Power Services, continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation to address concerns and issues that may affect the health and safety of our employees, customers, and suppliers. Like other organizations, PSG relies on guidance from the CDC and US Department of State related COVID-19 precautions. Communication with our partners remains a priority as the situation rapidly changes. As such, PSG has taken action to address its own facilities, as well as those customer facilities at which PSG employees are working.
PSG is currently operating with the following precautions in place to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Our employees, and through their interaction with customers and suppliers, have implemented these actions regardless of location:
PSG’s commitments to safety and service excellence remain our top priorities and our core values, and we will take the necessary steps to ensure the highest standards of both are at the forefront of everything we do.
Keith Ravan
Chief Executive Officer
Power Services Group
Welcome to the team Ralph Pederson!
/in News /by Mike.LakeWe would like to welcome Ralph Pederson to the PSG team! Ralph has joined our team as a Principal Steam Turbine Engineer and has a 40+ year background working in various central electric and steam power stations. He previously worked for Westinghouse as a service engineer, technical support contact, and salesperson. Ralph has held a position as a Senior Engineer with an aftermarket electric utility industry service organization. He has been a Senior Specialty Engineer at a 2-unit nuclear power station and has been a Turbine Coordinator for a large investor-owned utility. Ralph has also worked as a Director of Engineering/Technical Services for an aftermarket provider of turbine parts to power utilities. His extensive background in the power industry will be a tremendous asset to our team.
Ralph has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Grand Forks and has done extensive graduate work at Cardinal Stritch University. He has received ASME recognition of piping and pressure studies (ASME Section 3, ASME B31.1), Level Two Vibration Analysis certification, Nuclear Utility company training of Pressurized Water Reactor Power Plant, as well as specialized training on non-destructive inspection techniques. Ralph is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society of Testing & Materials, and ASM International.
Welcome to the team Ralph, we’re all looking forward to working with you!
Rotor Shaft Manufacturing
/in Events /by Mike.LakeWe recently completed a Major Inspection on an industrial steam turbine which required a de-stack of the rotor, the manufacture of a new rotor shaft, and re-stacking of components. We also changed multiple rows of blades, and balanced the rotor upon completion. One plant employee commented: “I have been here for 20 years and 3 complete overhauls of this unit. This was by far the best from a standpoint of quality and workmanship”. This project was a great team effort from start to finish that resulted in another very satisfied customer.
Kelly Harris – Recognition for Excellence in Machine Design
/in Events /by Mike.LakeKelly Harris has been awarded a custom trophy for excellence in machine design.
In 1976 Kelly enlisted in the Navy where he would start his machining career. In 1975, 4 days after high school, he began 4 years of service. Since then, Kelly has worked in many areas of machining and has learned many lessons that he now teaches all of us here at OES. During his time here with OES he has led designing and innovation on several machines and applications. To mention one example… we had a customer that had a very difficult and precise valve lapping job. Kelly built a tool that traces the valve seat and it proved to shorten the job duration significantly.
Kelly has designed many other pieces of equipment over the years to assist customers in completing custom repairs on their turbine components.
We at OES wish to recognize him for his efforts and innovation. He has been an excellent resource of knowledge that can only be replaced with personal experience and time. Though the trophy is unique in appearance, it is certainly earnest and sincere from all of us who have worked with Kelly over the years.
NAES Plant Managers Conference
/in Events /by Mike.LakePower Services Group will be exhibiting at the NAES Operations & Maintenance Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina the week of September 18th, 2023. We perform steam and gas turbine inspection and repairs for various NAES facilities, and are looking forward to sharing our experiences with the conference attendees. We will be in the exhibit hall the evening of September 19th If you’re in attendance please stop by booth 35 and talk to our VP of Sales and Marketing Mike Lake and our Regional Account Manager Gary Beck.. Travel safe everybody!
Heavy Lifting
/in Events /by Mike.LakePSG’s turbine services personnel perform various types of work on steam and gas turbines all over the World. In the photo below our personnel are coordinating the lift of a 100+ Ton HP Turbine Shell. There are a lot of small details that go into successfully accomplishing such a lift, and the attention to detail and safety must be paramount when lifting any piece of equipment. Nice work team!
Spring Outage Season is here!
/in Events /by Mike.LakeIt’s mid-February and our Steam Path Repair facility is filling up. It’s great to see so much work going on this spring, looks like it will be a very busy outage season. Please contact us today if you have any projects coming up that we can help with. Below is a photo of diaphragms that just arrived – looking forward to making the necessary repairs and getting them back to the customer on budget and on schedule!
Safety Bulletin – Chainfalls and Come-Alongs
/in News, Safety Tips /by Mike.Lakeby Shannon Scruggs, PSG Safety Director
The chainfall and come-along are two very common manual mechanical lifting devices. Both are designed to provide safety to those using them. But they must be used properly if they are to function safely. Remember the following precautions:
1. Always use the proper capacity hoist for the job you are about to do, remembering that two people pulling on the hand chain will increase the amount you can physically lift but will not increase the capacity of the hoist you are using.
2. Inspect the hoist before you begin to lift any load. Check the upper and lower hooks to see that they swivel properly and are in good shape. Check the inspection date on the hoist housing to ensure it has been inspected within the last 12 months.
3. Inspect the full length of chain as much as possible, look for badly gouged, worn or defective links. Make a load test by lifting and lowering a load slightly. This will tell the operator if the unit is functioning properly.
4. Stand completely clear of the load at all times. Allow no portion of your body or a fellow worker’s body under the load.
5. Center the load under the hoist.
6. Always properly seat the load in the hook.
7. Proper care and handling make a safe hoist. Remember the hoist was designed to ease our burden, and carelessness not only endangers the operator, but in many cases, a valuable load. Keep the chain hoists free of dirt and foreign material. Store all hand chain hoists in a hanging position in a clean area.
8. Do not attempt to “fix” a defective chainfall or come-along. Tag it as “defective” and have it returned to the toolroom for repair or disposal.
Treat the hoist properly, respect its limitations and it will work safely for a long time to come.
Remember: Hazard Awareness + Hazard Mitigation + Focus = Zero Injuries
Steam Turbine Low-Speed Balance
/in News, Steam Turbine Tips, Videos /by Mike.LakeOur Steam Path Repair facility in Pevely, Missouri has many steam turbine rotors that come through each and every year. One of the services we offer to our customers after repairs have been performed is a low speed balance. You can see the process in action here on a 3-bearing steam turbine rotor for a turbine that is rated at approximately 80MWs.