INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL PRODUCT COMPANY

PIT & LID ACCESSORIES

PK-500
Standard Telstra pit key & lid

This lifter is manufactured for lifting Telstra & other Class A Pit Lids.

Extra light, Areas (including footways) accessible only to pedestrians & pedal
cyclists & closed to other traffic.

LIDLIFT
Standard hook lid lifter.

This lifter is manufactured for lifting Class A Pit Lids.

Extra light, Areas (including footways) accessible only to pedestrians & pedal
cyclists & closed to other traffic.

HDLIDLIFT
Standard heavy duty lid lifter. For class B & D

These lifter are specifically manufactured for lifting Class B & D Light and Heavy trafficable Pit lids.

See “Class Ratings & Classifications” - “Load Rating Guide” on page 3 of this catalogue for further
clarification on lid type.

WARNING PLATES & ARROWS

Q51-LV Q50 Q51-HV

85mm x 50mm LV Arrow 150mm x 150mm Warning Plate 85mm x 50mm HV Arrow

Identification Plates manufactured

from Stainless Steel and laser etched.
For fitting to lids for Electrical or
Communication pits
IP8025-ELEC IP8025-COMMS
80mm x 25mm Elec Plate 80mm x 25mm Comms Plate

Identification Plates manufactured from Stainless Steel and laser etched.

Available in 80mm x 40mm and 75mm x 75mm.

Can be made with wording to order.

IP8040 IP7575
80mm x 40mm 75mm x 75mm

FAX: (03) 9312 6433 www.gvk.com.au 16

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SAFE REMOVAL OF GATIC® COVERS

MANHOLE COVERS

The following information is provided as a guide for the safe removal of GATIC® covers.
All GATIC® covers are provided with key holes for the location of lifting keys. These procedures apply to:

The short handle standard key The long-handle lifting key

A keypack kit bag is available for convenient storage of equipment

used for removing GATIC® covers.
This comprises:
• Two long-handle lifting keys.
• A spanner.
• A length of 25mm diameter steel piping.
• A scraper.
• A canvas bag for carrying and storage of the above items.

REMOVAL PROCEDURE USING THE LONG-HANDLE LIFTING KEYS

You will need the following equipment:
• A pair of GATIC® long-handle lifting keys.
• A shifting spanner or adjustable spanner.
• One or two lengths of 25 mm diameter (approximately) water pipe at least 150mm longer than
the width of the cover to be removed.
• A screwdriver, brush, paint scraper and a tin of GATIC® manhole sealing compound.

For your safety, steel capped safety shoes MUST be worn.

The information contained in this document should serve as a guide only and is subject to change
without notice. For more information please contact Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd.

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SAFE REMOVAL OF GATIC® COVERS

MANHOLE COVERS

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Prise out the plastic keyhole plugs and remove all dirt to enable the key to engage properly. Brush away any
loose soil from the working area to allow the cover to be easily moved away from the pit opening. Also ensure
that the sides around the cover are level and free of gravel so that the pipe used for rolling the cover clear of
the pit can move freely.

2. Before lifting the cover the seal must first be broken. This can be done using the jacking screw of the
short-handle standard key (Product No. 742). (See “BREAKING THE SEAL OF HARD-TO-LIFT COVERS).
Alternatively, if fitted, the jacking screw of the long-handle lifting key may be used. The long-handle lifting
key may be damaged if used as a lever to break the seal of a cover.

3. Insert the long-handle lifting keys as shown in the diagram. Note the position of the keys relative to the cover
and note the height of the nut. Drop each key into the keyhole slot and turn the lifter handle back towards
you a quarter turn. CLIP THE LATCH BACK ONTO THE HANDLE. THIS ENSURES THAT THE KEY IS CORRECTLY
LOCATED IN THE KEYHOLE SLOT AND WILL NOT SLIP OUT. Alternatively, the latch may be unclipped and
turned to insert the key into the keyhole slot; when the key is engaged, turn the latch back and clip it to the
handle, (see diagram).

4. L
 ean back on the handles and the cover will lift approximately 10mm.
With a little practice you will find the right amount of slack between the
nut and handle to allow rapid key engagement and good lifting leverage.
Note that the latch must always be clipped back onto the handle as
mentioned above.

5. Position a length of pipe behind the cover as shown in the diagram WITH A
STRAIGHT BACK AND KNEES BENT, lift the cover sufficiently to allow the
introduction of the pipe.

The information contained in this document should serve as a guide only and is subject to change
without notice. For more information please contact Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd.

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SAFE REMOVAL OF GATIC® COVERS

MANHOLE COVERS

With one foot, gently kick the pipe under the cover to 6. Lower the cover onto the pipe, and roll it back
just short of the middle of the cover, (see diagram). towards you clear of the edge of the pit,
Safety footwear MUST be worn for this task. (see diagram). With the repeated introduction
of a second pipe, the cover can be moved away
to one side of the pit.

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
1. Scrape any loose dirt or old grease from the seating 2. Using the paint scraper, liberally coat the cleaned
surfaces and wire brush them clean. surfaces of the frame with GATIC® manhole sealing
compound. This compound has been formulated
with a high melting point to withstand extreme
temperature. The compound also contains
corrosion inhibitors that give maximum protection
to the sealing surfaces.

3. Replace the cover by rolling it forward and tilting it

downwards so that the cover contacts the frame.

The information contained in this document should serve as a guide only and is subject to change
without notice. For more information please contact Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd.

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SAFE REMOVAL OF GATIC® COVERS

MANHOLE COVERS

4. Keeping your foot away from the pit edge, step over
the handle and roll the pipe away with your foot.
5. Lower the cover onto its seating. It may be
necessary to lift and drop the cover to force the
sealing compound along the seating surfaces.
6. Remove the lifting keys and replace the plastic
keyhole plugs.

BREAKING THE SEAL OF HARD-TO-LIFT COVERS

Covers that do not respond to levering on the lifting handle can
often be dislodged by tightening the nut on the key screw, (see
sketch below). The foot of the lifter acts as a bridge for the screw.
Tightening the nut jacks the cover from the frame.

A frozen cover can often be opened by applying jacking force to the

cover and hitting the cover around its edge with a heavy hammer.

Occasionally, covers are so badly corroded that the seating surfaces

have knitted together. These covers are best dealt with by using the
GATIC® short-handle keys (which have an extra jacking screw) and the
following method:

1. Soak the joint well with Penetrene or light oil for one day, or several
days if possible.

2. Insert the key in the cover keyhole and turn the handle a quarter turn
until it locks. THE HANDLE MUST BE PARALLEL WITH THE AXIS OF
THE BASE OF THE KEY TO ENSURE POSITIVE 900 LOCATION IN
THE GATIC® COVER KEYHOLE.

3. Run the nut down the handle thread and nip it tight onto the base
of the short-handle key. Ensure that the jacking screw is over the
GATIC® cover frame.

4. Screw down the jacking screw to apply a lifting force on the cover.
In addition, it is often necessary to hit the cover near the joint with a
heavy hammer to shock fracture the bond.

The information contained in this document should serve as a guide only and is subject to change
without notice. For more information please contact Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd.

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SAFE REMOVAL OF GATIC® COVERS

MANHOLE COVERS

When the seal has been broken, the cover MUST be removed with the long-handle keys following the procedure
for long handle keys.

NOTE:
The short-handle keys are only intended for use when breaking the seal on hard-to-lift covers. Serious injury
may result if they are used instead of the long-handle keys to remove the cover from the frame.
The short-handle keys are also not designed for use with slings attached to mechanical equipment such as
forklift trucks or excavators. Such misuse is expressly prohibited by the manufacturer.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Falls from height
The risk of a person falling into a pit or shaft must be considered at the job planning stage. Portable safety
railing should be installed around the opening to prevent accidental falls.
If access into the pit or shaft is required, safe entry and egress must be considered. Preferably, permanent ladder
rungs, conforming to relevant construction standards, should be installed in the shaft.
Work sites should be barricaded and signs placed to keep people not associated with the task away from the
area. This is particularly important if the open pit or shaft is in an area accessible to the public.
The GATIC® cover must be replaced overnight if the job remains unfinished or if the site is left unattended.

Confined spaces
A proper assessment of the hazards posed by confined spaces must be carried out by qualified and experienced
personnel prior to entry into a pit or shaft. Some of the hazards to which those entering a confined space may be
exposed include:
• Low oxygen levels leading to asphyxiation.
• The presence of asphyxiating or toxic vapours or gases.
• Elevated levels of flammable vapours or gases.
• Contact with live electrical wiring or operating mechanical equipment.
• Drowning due to flash flooding in storm water drains.
• Engulfment from entry into silos or storage vessels containing grain or powdered materials.

It should be noted that low oxygen levels cannot be detected by the sense of smell. Low oxygen levels can occur
due to the natural breakdown of organic materials or even through the slow oxidation (rusting) of iron and steel.

Biological hazards
GATIC® covers may be used over sewerage systems. Those personnel entering into pits on such systems should
ensure that advice is obtained on any likely biological hazards and take appropriate precautions to prevent
infection. This may include the use of eye, skin and respiratory personal protective equipment.

DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this publication on the safe removal of GATIC® covers is provided in good faith.
It is accurate to the best of our knowledge but as the manufacturer or supplier cannot exercise control over the
use of the product, they accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss which may result from its use.

The information contained in this document should serve as a guide only and is subject to change
without notice. For more information please contact Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd.

W W W. I P L E X . C O M . A U • EMAIL [email protected] V1 2019

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