How One Simple Change Cut Stair Installation Time by 40% and Saved Over €800 in Labour Costs

The Problem:

Slow, High-Risk Stair Installations That Drained Time and Increased Risk for their residential construction project. 

For many contractors, installing precast concrete stairs remains a labour-intensive and high-risk operation. The traditional approach—using chain blocks for changing load angles—requires workers to manually adjust lifting chains under the load, often while standing directly beneath it. 

A contractor in Dublin, working on a block of flats, ran into this exact problem: 

– Time-Consuming Lifts – Each stair install took over an hour due to awkward angles and the need for careful manual levelling. 

– Increased Risk of Injury – Multiple workers had to position themselves under the suspended load to manually adjust chain slings. 

– Labour Costs Stacking Up – Five workers were required for each lift, tying up valuable manpower and increasing costs. 

– A Lift That Wouldn’t Work – One corner stair was almost impossible to install. The team spent three hours attempting to manoeuvre it into place with chain blocks—without success. 

This contractor needed a safer, faster lifting method that would reduce manual handling, improve control, and lower costs. 

The Solution:

Hands-Free Lifting with the Ganterud Auto Level Lifting Yoke 

Hoistech introduced the contractor to the Ganterud Auto Level Lifting Yoke, a remote-controlled lifting system designed to eliminate manual chain adjustments and improve both efficiency and safety. 

Its impact on the job? 

– Hands-Off Lifting for Maximum Safety – Operators controlled the lift from a safe distance, removing the need for anyone to work directly under the suspended load. 

– Automatic Load Levelling – The auto-level feature adjusted the chains electronically, eliminating the need for manual length adjustments before each lift. 

– Reduced Labour Requirements – The team was reduced from five to three workers, freeing up manpower for other tasks. 

– Minimal Training Required – A 15-minute induction was all it took for the crew to operate the system confidently. 

The Results: Improved Safety, Faster Installs, and Lower Costs 

40% Faster Installations 

– Each stair was installed in under 30 minutes, compared to over an hour using chain blocks. 

– The difficult corner stair, which had stalled the job for three hours, was installed in minutes. 

Significant Reduction in Manual Handling Risks 

By eliminating the need for workers to adjust chains under the load and the significantly reducing the amount of human contacts on the load, the contractor significantly reduced the risk of injury. 

Over €800 in Labour Cost Savings 

By reducing both the installation time and the number of workers needed, the contractor cut total labour costs by 66%. 

What the Contractor Said 

“A fantastic bit of kit. It significantly reduced the amount of time it would take for us to complete the job. We had a lot of problems leading up to the install, but this system made it easy. Our crew were also safer during the lift because there was a lot less manual handling, and we had more control over the load.” 

Aligning with the Industry’s Push for Hands-Off Lifting 

Across the UK, the lead AP group has been pushing for a major shift towards hands-free lifting operations, ensuring workers are kept at a safe distance from moving loads. This case study highlights how automated lifting systems are not just a luxury but a necessity for reducing risk and improving efficiency. 

– Reduced Need for Workers Under the Load – In line with best practices for site safety. 

– Elimination of Manual Chain Adjustments – No need to physically handle lifting slings before each lift. 

– Increased Control Over the Load – Precision adjustments via remote control, without physical intervention. 

The Future of Lifting: Why Contractors Need to Act Now 

For contractors working with precast concrete or any complex lifts, modern lifting solutions provide immediate safety benefits and long-term efficiency gains. 

– Finish lifts 40% faster – Keep projects on schedule and avoid costly delays. 

– Cut labour costs by 66% – Free up workers for other critical tasks. 

– Eliminate unnecessary manual handling – Reduce injuries and meet the highest safety standards. 

See the Results for Yourself 

Want to improve safety, reduce costs, and speed up your lifting operations? 

📞 Book a demo, request a rental, or speak with one of Hoistech’s lifting experts today.