Lifting Equipment LTD News

VERTICAL PLATE CLAMPS, Basic safety, service and inspections

VERTICAL PLATE CLAMPS, BASIC SAFETY, service and inspection

For your information we have listed the basic safety information for using vertical plate clamps including service and inspection information.

All in accordance with the requirements of the health and safety at work act 1974, section 6.

Should be read in conjunction with safe slinging practice.

WHEN USING VERTICAL PLATE CLAMPS;

ALWAYS;

• Ø Store and handle plate clamps correctly
• Ø Inspect plate clamps and accessories before and after use
• Ø Put the clamp onto the plate as far as it will go.
• Ø Check that the clamp is fully locked or tightened onto the plate before lifting.
• Ø Check the clamp is directly over the centre of gravity of the load
• Ø Take great care to ensure the plate clamp is fully supported before attempting to release the clamp

NEVER:

• Ø Use plate clamps on hard or polished plate unless they have been specifically designed for that purpose
• Ø Use defective plate clamps, or accessories
• Ø Put packing between the plate and the jaws of the clamp
• Ø Attempt to lift more than one plate in the clamp
• Ø Lower from the vertical to the horizontal or visa-versa unless the clamps have been designed for that purpose
• Ø Obliquely (diagonally/crookedly) load vertical plate clamps
• Ø Force or wedge the hook of the lifting appliance into the eye of the clamp.

In addition to the above never return dirty or damaged plate clamps to storage. Plate clamps should never be dropped or thrown down.

IN-SERVICE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

Vertical plate clamps should be cleaned and any moving parts lubricated at appropriate intervals, unless the suppliers specific instructions indicate otherwise.

In the case of plate clamps with smooth jaws lined with friction material, care must be taken to ensure that no lubricant comes into contact with the friction material.

Regularly inspect the plate clamp and in the event of the following defects, refer the clamp to a competent person such as ourselves for a thorough examination and repair where necessary:

• Ø damage or distortion to fixed and moving jaws
• Ø wear
• Ø frame opening out or cracked
• Ø insecure, worn or bent pins, bolts etc.
• Ø Worn friction grip material
• Ø Damaged, bent or unsatisfactory acting locking lever,
• Ø Tight, bent or damaged clamping threads
• Ø Corrosion
• Ø Illegible markings

WARNING!!!

Teeth of jaws must not be re-sharpened or re-cut unless this has been specifically approved by the maker.

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