Because Every Hand Matters — Even in the World's Toughest Yards
Shipyards are among the most demanding industrial environments on the planet. Every day, massive crane lifts, steel fabrication, module assembly, and equipment installation happen simultaneously — often in tight spaces, under time pressure, and in challenging weather conditions.
And in the middle of all of it, workers are still reaching out with their bare hands to guide suspended loads.
Hand injuries account for over 50% of all workplace injuries in heavy industry. In shipyards, the combination of heavy loads, congested workspaces, multiple crane operations, and high-output schedules creates exactly the conditions where hand and finger injuries happen most.
When hands are used to control a swinging load, they are placed directly in pinch zones, crush zones, and impact areas. Gloves help. Training helps. But neither removes the hand from the hazard. Only distance does that.
The hierarchy of controls tells us that engineering controls — tools and systems that change how a task is performed — are far more effective than relying on worker behaviour alone. Hands-free load control tools are exactly that: an engineering control that removes the hand from the energy source entirely.
The principle is straightforward: if hands are part of the task, the task needs to change.
PSC Hands-Free Safety Tools are not additional PPE. They are primary prevention — changing the way work is done so that hands are never in the line of fire.
Across every major lifting and handling activity in a shipyard, there is a PSC tool designed to keep hands clear and work moving.
Every shipyard runs cranes continuously. Hull sections, structural assemblies, skids, frames, machinery, and equipment are lifted and positioned all day. PSC tools allow riggers to control swing, rotation, and final alignment from a safe distance — without any direct contact with the load.
Fabrication shops handle steel structures, beams, plates, pipe racks, and large assemblies daily. Magnetic push/pull tools allow workers to reposition steel components and guide materials during fit-up — without placing hands near pinch points or freshly cut edges.
Pumps, motors, gearboxes, transformers, heat exchangers, and pressure vessels all require precise crane placement at close quarters. PSC push/pull tools provide that control without forcing workers into the crush zone between load and foundation.
Emergency recoveries, night shifts, weather-affected cranes, congested areas — these are the moments when shortcuts are most tempting and consequences most severe. Having hands-free tools already on site means the safe option is always available.
Not better gloves. Not more training. Remove the hand from the hazard. Organisations that have deployed PSC no-touch load control tools have recorded up to 85% reductions in recorded hand injuries.
Speak to our team about the right tools for your shipyard operations.