Piling is a specialist foundation application that requires a great deal of experience and training to carry out effectively. The technical nature of piles, which are typically concrete or steel and can be up to 10 metres long, means they require specialised machinery known as piling rigs to install.

A dedicated piling rig can be a huge asset on a construction site and reduce the need for crane or excavator-mounted pile drivers. Depending on the type of pile, depth required and soil condition, there are several different types of piling rigs available that can be used on projects.

Piles that reach bedrock or acceptable soil are often needed to support large structures like bridges or retaining walls, so it’s vital they can be installed quickly and reliably. Piles also provide a good option for foundations for buildings or other commercial structures that need to transfer a high load capacity over a wide area.

Exploring the Versatility of Piling Rigs in Construction Projects

During the installation of piles it is essential to check for potential hazards such as cellars or underground services that could impact the piling process. It is also important to ensure a sufficient and safe working platform is provided for the piling rig, particularly during the slewing and pitching movements of the rig.

Several incidents have been reported of piling rigs toppling over on unbound working platforms and investigations have found that the cause was often an inherent, isolated area of weakness or ground collapse. To minimize the risk of such incidents it is recommended that a detailed working platform inspection is carried out at the beginning of every shift by a competent person to ensure that the rig is safe to use.