5 Hidden Costs of Traditional Steel Lifting

There are many hidden costs linked to traditional steel lifting including labour, downtime and operational inefficiencies. Using conventional methods such as chains, slings, hooks or clamps requires more operators to attach the equipment and complete the lift compared to using a magnetic lifter.

1. Labour Costs

Lifting steel with traditional slings and chains is very labour intensive as the load needs to be positioned and secured before a lift is attempted. This usually requires more than one operator, so your labour costs are higher than when using a magnetic lifter as usually only one operator is required to secure and lift the load.

2. Downtime

Whilst operators are attaching or detaching loads hoists and cranes are left idle. Tradional lifting methods require more stoppages than magnetic lifters because it takes longer to secure and unsecure the steel.

3. Productivity

Manually securing large loads with hooks or clamps takes time. Magnetic lifters help increase productivity because they are easy to use and loads are secured in seconds as they don’t require additional clamps to hold the ferrous metal in place. Physical handling of heavy chains and slings increases worker fatigue, which reduces productivity throughout the workday.

Poorly planned lifting sequences or inefficient methods can create bottlenecks that ripple through the workflow, ultimately delaying progress across the project.

4. Safety

Manual rigging heightens the likelihood of incidents such as pinch-point injuries or failures of suspended loads, this can trigger site shutdowns, regulatory action, and significant reputational harm. Alternatively, magnetic lifters offer a safer way of lifting steel as it is quick and easy to secure the load, and they use strong rare earth magnetic material that holds the load even during a power outage.

5. Equipment Damage

Overtime lifting equipment suffers from wear and tear and regular replacement can be costly. Permanent magnetic lifters won’t lose their magneticity and have a long lifespan providing they are serviced annually. Magnetic lifters do not require power and have few moving parts making them easy to maintain.  

Lifting gear can also cause surface damage to the steel, adding more to the costs of repairs or replacements.

Conclusion

Traditional steel lifting methods can create hidden costs across labour, downtime, productivity, safety and equipment maintenance. Because they often require more manual handling, more operators and more time to secure each load, they can reduce efficiency and increase the risk of damage or incidents. Magnetic lifters offer a faster, safer and more cost-effective alternative by streamlining handling, minimising crane idle time and reducing the need for additional equipment.