No Touch Tools for Safer Load Control in Lifting and Rigging
No-Touch Tools for Safer Load Control in Lifting and Rigging
Hand and finger injuries remain one of the most common incidents across lifting and rigging operations in Australia.
In the oil and gas industry, infrastructure, construction, and other high-risk industries, suspended loads constantly expose workers to risk. Loads that can cause pinch points during load positioning. Lifting and rigging hardware and technology continue to improve, but incidents still occur on-site. This is especially true when workers use their hands to guide or steady loads.
This is where no-touch tools play a critical role in workplace safety. No‑touch tools keep workers’ hands free and out of the line of fire. This article explores what no‑touch safety tools are and why high-risk workplaces are increasingly adopting them.
Understanding the situation and risk around suspended loads
Common hazards within high-risk industries include manual handling, moving machinery, and working around suspended loads. In lifting and rigging environments, injuries often come from a combination of:
- Suspended loads shifting unexpectedly
- Poor visibility, restricted access or confined spaces
- Unexpected movement during lifting, slewing, or landing
- Manual handling of steel, pipes, and rigging components
Additionally, factors such as gravity, momentum, wind, and uneven ground can make load movement difficult to predict. This frequently exposes hands and fingers to pinch and crush zones. Even experienced personnel can misjudge movement when loads rotate, snag, or sway.
What are No-Touch Tools by Adamar?
Adamar's no-touch tools support safer lifting practices by controlling suspended loads without placing hands directly on the load. In lifting and rigging applications, no-touch safety products are typically used to:
- Guide, push, pull or stabilise suspended loads from a safer distance
- Guide steel, pipe, and structural components into position
- Remove hands, fingers, and feet from pinch or crush zones
- Reduce physical strain and unsafe postures
Please note: No-touch tools are not a replacement for planning, exclusion zones, or regular safe rigging practices. They are an additional tool used to support safer practices on-site.
Magna-Grab Magnetic Hand Safety Tool
The Magna-Grab is a magnetic tool used to control ferrous loads without direct hand contact. It helps guide suspended, heavy, or unstable loads and retrieve dropped steel items using a tag line.
Key features of the Magna‑Grab:
- Patented dual‑ring rare earth magnet with up to 250 kg magnetic pull force
- Tag line for retrieval of dropped items
Please note: While this magnet can hold or lift 250 kg, operators should not lift more than 20 kg. Always follow the lifting limitations provided by your employer.
Safe-T-Stik Magnetic Safety Tool
The Safe‑T‑Stik is a magnetic tool for controlling ferrous materials, especially heavy or awkward loads. Longer versions retrieve items from heights or water.
Key features of the Safe‑T‑Stik:
- Hands-free control of ferrous materials
- Magnetic end for guiding and retrieval
- Available in various lengths
- Helps maintain distance from suspended loads
Sling-Stik Lite Suspended Load Control Tool
The Sling‑Stik Lite is a suspended load control tool used to grab onto chains, wire rope, synthetic slings, or hard points. Supplied with an aluminium dual hook, it can easily grab, pull and release suspended loads.
Key features of the Sling‑Stik Lite:
- Grabs chain and wire rope easily
- Lightweight with heavy-duty construction
- Supplied with an aluminium dual hook attachment
Please note: Bullivants only supplies the dual hook attachment head for the Sling-Stik.
Steer-Stik Load Guiding Tool
The Steer‑Stik is a load-guiding tool designed for precise holding and positioning rather than moving objects by force. It is used to grab, push, pull, and release objects easily. The attachment head can also be rotated 90 degrees, allowing for more accurate alignment of loads.
Key features of the Steer‑Stik:
- Easy to grab and release objects
- Supports holding and positioning tasks
- Rotating attachment head with 90-degree movement
- Rotating and locking D-handle
Multi-Grab Range
Adamar's Multi-Grab range can be used to grip, hold, and position small, heavy, or awkward ferrous objects. The range is great for situations where objects vary in shape and size. Each tool has a magnet that offers up to 250 kg of magnetic force and different features to support different handling needs.
Key features of the Multi-Grab range:
- Magnetic gripping for holding and positioning steel
- Suitable for lifting and carrying tasks
- Up to 250 kg of magnetic force across the range
Model options include:
- Multi-Grab II with pivot and full rotation
- Multi-Grab III with locking pin and adjustable handle
- Multi-Grab IV with EZ release lever and multiple length options
Multi-Grab V
The Multi‑Grab V is a magnetic hand safety tool with a unique grip that makes it easy to move heavy and odd-shaped ferrous objects. Its compact design allows use in confined spaces while maintaining a strong magnetic holding force.
Key features of the Multi‑Grab V:
- V-shaped magnetic head for improved contact
- Supports holding and positioning tasks
- Suitable for flat and round steel materials
- Strong magnetic grip for controlled handling
- Up to 172 kg magnetic grip force
Please note: While this magnet can hold or lift 172 kg, operators should not lift more than 20 kg. Always follow the lifting limitations provided by your employer.
Shove-It Suspended Load Control Tool
The Shove-It is a load control tool that helps workers push, steer, and control objects. The tool suits demanding environments such as ports, shipyards, and industrial sites. Its lightweight construction supports regular use while still being strong and durable.
Key features of the Shove-It:
- Pushes and guides flat or round materials
- V-shaped head with rubber or plastic inserts
- Electrically insulated, high-visibility, and abrasion-resistant finish
- Available in various lengths
Grappler No-Touch Hook Tool
The Grappler is a no-touch hook tool designed to grab, hook, push, pull, and guide chain, wire rope, pipe, and components with one hand. Its unique hook shape can grab round or square materials, while the flat front face provides controlled pushing of objects.
Key features of the Grappler:
- Grabs and controls chains, wire ropes, pipes and other round or square objects
- Rigid laser-cut aluminium hook design
- Lightweight with durable construction
- Comfortable nonslip foam grip
Talon Hand Safety Tool
The Talon Hand Safety Tool is a compact option for guiding and hooking materials. Workers can use the dual hook design to grab, hook, push, pull, or pick at chains, wire rope, or hard points with one hand. The compact and lightweight design suits confined work areas such as precast concrete and drilling operations.
Key features of the Talon Hand Safety Tool:
- Dual hook design for grab, hook, push, and pull tasks
- Controls chain, wire rope, and hard points
- Lightweight and compact 355mm (14 in.) design
- Laser cut and galvanised steel hooks
- Comfortable and secure D handle grip
Make No-Touch Tools part of your safety solution
Hand and finger injuries around suspended loads are common but very easily preventable. By reducing the need for direct contact, you simultaneously reduce the number of hand and finger injuries in manual handling tasks.
No-touch tools are an effective tool for improving safety in lifting and rigging operations. From magnetic no-touch tools for steel loads to other hands-free safety tools, Adamar’s range of No-Touch Tools helps support safer load control in high-risk work environments.
WHS professionals, project managers, and site supervisors should consider integrating no-touch safety products into lift and rigging operations. Implementing these tools is a proactive step toward reducing risk, improving compliance, and protecting the workforce.
