Vacuum Lifter Safety Code
Contents
1. Nox 7 Check certificate is thorough examination within date If No do not use 8 Is a user manual available for the operator 9 Is there any physical damage to the vacuum lifter i e cracked welds If Yes do not use 10 Are the vacuum pads for ripped or torn If Yes do not use 11 Are the pads clean If No do not use and wash with warm soapy water 12 Are the vacuum pipes and connections secure pay particular attention to quick release fittings If No do not use 13 Where fitted are all individual pad shut off valves open If No open valves 14 Are electrical connections secure and all switches undamaged If No do not use 15 Does input mains voltage correspond with charger voltage 110v or 240v If No do not use 16 Does battery have sufficient charge and is battery charger functional If No do not use 17 Is the Safe Working Load SWL of the lifter sufficient for the load If No do not use 18 Are rotational and tilting movements functional If No do not use Energise vacuum lifter on Perspex or glass before commencing lifting duties 19 Are lights or buzzers on during vacuum application If No do not use 20 Does vacuum reach sufficient level before pump switches off If No do not use 21 Woods lifters Does battery gauge illuminate when pump switches off If No do not use 22 Pannkoke lifters Does yellow pump Pump light remain illuminated If No change 10a Fuse 23 Does vacuum drop 5 in ten minute p2. hansen Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Mark Mallen Health and Safety Manager Fenlock Hansen Ltd March 2005 Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 1 of 13 Version Date March 2005 Contents Page 1 Aims 3 2 Legal Framework 4 3 Safety Code 5 Appendices 1 Hansen Vacuum Lifter Pre Use Inspection Check List 8 2 How we create and loose vacuum 10 3 Wind Speed 11 4 Calculating Glass Weight 12 5 Vacuum Lifter Capacity 13 Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 2 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Aims We intend this guidance document to act as a reminder to trained vacuum lifter operators and serves as a useful source of reference material Furthermore untrained operators acting under the control of trained operators may use it to ensure that operators follow their training In addition there is daily pre use inspection sheet contained within which operators must complete before using a vacuum lifter for the first lift and at the start of each subsequent day Finally legislation underpins everything we do The opening section briefly describes some of the key pieces of legislation affecting the use of vacuum lifters Our safety code is designed to ensure we comply with these key pieces Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 3 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Legal Framework Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Employees Section 7 Employees must take all reasonable care to look after their own health and safety Sect
3. 863mm 1041mm T 8mm 812mm 889mm 965mm 1168mm j i 10mm 889mm 965mm _ 1066mm 1270mm F 47 13mm 1041mm 1117mm 1244mm 1473mm S A e 16mm 1168mm 1244mm 1371mm 1651mm zee 20mm 1270mm 1371mm 1524mm 1803mm 23mm 1371mm_ 1473mm 1625mm 1955mm 70 26mm 1473mm_ 1574mm 1752mm 2082mm To calculate the minimum pad spread dimensions Subtract twice 2x the allowable overhang from the overall dimensions For example A piece of glass is 2000mm long x 1500mm wide x 4mm thick and will be tilted from flat 90 degrees to vertical 0 degrees From the chart the allowable overhang is 508mm from each edge of the glass To calculate the pad spread 508mm x 2 1016 mm total overhang 2000mm 1016mm 984mm length 1500mm 1016mm 484mm width Therefore minimum pad spread 984mm x 484mm However if you are unsure on what support your glass requires please contact the supplier GGR tel 0161 624 6655 Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Version 1 Date March 2005 Page 13 of 13
4. speeds in excess of Beaufort Scale 3 Wind speed 29Kmh See Appendix 3 The Load 24 Never lift a damaged or faulty load 25 Never lifta wet load See Appendix 2 26 Ensure the load is clean and dry before applying the pads 27 Dirt increases the risk of load slippage and moisture in the vacuum system lowers the amount of vacuum available over time 28 Ensure that the lifter lifting device combination and any other accessories are capable of lifting the load Check the delivery note and or label on glass to determine its weight 29 If this information is unavailable to calculate the weight of the glass see Appendix 4 30 Do not forget the load is the weight of the glass the lifter and any other lifting accessories i e shackles or strops Applying the Lifter 31 Always apply the lifter to within 40mm of the centre of gravity of the load 32 The load may be within the SWL for the lifter However ensure that the lifter is physically large enough for the size of glass 33 Refer to the supplier for technical assistance on pad spread For guidance see Appendix 5 34 Manufacturers recommend outer pad is no further than 500mm from edge of load 35 Clean and dry the pads correctly before applying to the load Any moisture in the vacuum system may reduce the amount of vacuum available over time Lifting Operations 36 Achieve the required vacuum and ensure that the pump turns off before attempting lift 37 Lift the loa
5. 29 km h Leaves and twigs move flags blow out 4 5 Moderate wind up to 36 km h Small trees sway makes waves on a lake 6 7 Strong wind up to 67 km h Large trees sway makes walking hard 8 9 Gale up to 87 km h Slates fall off roofs 10 11 Storm up to 116 km h Widespread damage Please not that wind speeds vary dramatically on site The height at which one takes the readings has a dramatic effect in conjunction with the vortices which surround high buildings Always co ordinate lifting operations with the crane operator and site management At speeds below 29 km h tag lines can always be used if concerns remain about the effects the wind may have on the lift Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Version 1 Date March 2005 Page 11 of 13 Appendix 4 Calculating Glass Weight To calculate the weight of glass obtain the following dimensions Length Width Thickness Multiply the dimensions to obtain the volume of glass For example A sheet 3m x 2m x 10 mm weighs 3mx2mx0 01m 0 06m The density of glass is 2 5 tonnes per m alternatively 1m of glass weighs 2 5 tonnes Therefore the sheet weighs 2 5t m x0 06m 0 15 tonnes or 150 kg There is an alternative method which gives the weight of the glass directly in kilogrammes kg For the same sheet 3m x 2m x 10 mm thick 3 x 2x 10 x 2 5 weight of glass per cubic metre 150 kg Please remember e Double the weight of the glass if th
6. between the cup and the surface is broken the vacuum fails and the load falls e We preserve the seal by the maintenance of a vacuum between the pad and glass surface e Conditions that affect the length of time that vacuum is maintained include The cleanliness of the load surface and vacuum pad The roughness or smoothness of the load surface The porosity of the material lifted The condition of the vacuum pad lines and pumps e Inthe case of power loss to the pump vacuum lifters maintain a vacuum which is stored in a vacuum reserve tank e This reserve reduces significantly by the collection of condensate within the tank e Condensate forms from moisture in the atmosphere when we create the vacuum e f we operate in wet conditions or if the load is wet we greatly increase the amount of condensate created e However on rough porous or heavily contaminated surfaces where we cannot maintain a good seal during a power outage immediate loss of the load may occur Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 10 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Appendix 3 Wind Speed The maximum operating wind speed is 29 km h equivalent to 18mph 16 5 knots or 8m s Use an anemometer to measure the wind speed If one is not available use the Beaufort scale see below Beaufort Scale Devised by British admiral Francis Beaufort in 1805 Rating Description Wind Speed Indicators 0 Calm 1 6 km h Smoke rises straight up 1 3 Light wind up to
7. d 50mm and wait for 30 seconds before commencing lift to ensure vacuum is stable Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 6 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 38 The safe level of vacuum is 65 39 Never lift from a rotated position 40 Never allow personnel to ride the load 41 Do not lift the load over people 42 Do not pull the load sideways 43 Never lift a load from flat position with the lift bar locked see diagram 44 If lifting between hop ups ensure personnel are available to watch and guide the load at each level 45 Observe the load at all times 46 If you spot problems give the order to stop the lift by shouting and by raising both arms aloft 47 Do not leave unattended suspended loads Releasing the Load 48 Fully support the load before releasing vacuum 49 Never attempt to rotate off centre loads as the frame could rotate too quickly 50 Never release catches simultaneously Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 7 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Appendix 1 See Hansen Vacuum Lifter Pre Use Inspection Check List overleaf Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 8 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 hansen Vacuum Lifter Pre Use Inspection Check List 1 Manufacturer 2 Model 3 Serial Number 4 SWL 5 Last Examination Date 6 Next Examination Date Item Description Yes
8. e panel is laminated e Adda further 5 to the weight of the glass to include the weight of the frame spacer bar e Add a further 2 to the weight of the glass to include the weight of the interlayer between the glass Therefore laminated framed panel the weight would be Weight of glass 150kgx2 300kg Weight of frame 5 of 300kg 15kg Weight of interlayer 2 of 300kg 6kg Total weight of laminated panel 300 15 6 321kg Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 12 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Appendix 5 Vacuum Lifter Capacity In addition to the weight of the load we must consider the support the glass requires from the pads For a example if glass is lifted flat gravity and the weight of the glass will cause it to bow If the glass bows too much it will crack vacuum may be lost and the glass will fall Support requirements depend on the angle of the glass during the lift and the thickness of the glass The chart below indicates allowable overhang from the edge of the pad based on the carrying angle and thickness of the glass The lifter s pad spread must be large enough to limit overhang and provide adequate support for the glass Please not this chart applies only to single leaf glass Glass Maximum overhang from the pad edge to the glass edge Thickness 508mm 558mm 609mm 736mm 5mm 635mm 685mm 762mm 889mm F on 7mm 736mm 787mm
9. ensure that everybody involved in the lift knows what to do and how to do it 3 Ifyou have not seen The Plan or had its contents explained to you ask the lift supervisor to explain it to you 4 Ensure that you read the risk assessments and safe working practices in The Plan 5 Ifyou do not understand them ask questions until you are clear on what is happening and what we expect of you Operator 6 Ensure that you understand what you need to do before using the vacuum lifter 7 Check the operator s manual there may be features on the lifter with which you are unfamiliar 8 Check the documentation for the lifter ensure that the certification is within date do not use if the last test and inspection date is more than six months ago 9 Ifyou are unfit or unwell do not engage in any lifting activity as your judgement may be affected 10 Do not forget the use of alcohol amp drugs may impair your judgement if you are under the 11 influence of any substance do not use the lifter If using the lifter in conjunction with a crane fixed or mobile the operator must be a qualified slinger signaller Authorised Users 12 13 Vacuum lifters shall only be applied to the load and operated by a Trained and authorised personnel minimum age 18 years of age b Maintenance personnel in direct performance of their duties c Authorised inspectors with trained operator in attendance Where assistance is requ
10. eriod If No do not use 24 Where fitted does remote vacuum application and release function correctly If No do not use Item Insert particulars of any defects and action taken Inspection conducted by Name Date Signature Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 9 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Appendix 2 How we create and loose vacuum What is a Vacuum e A vacuum is a space completely empty of matter e In practice a vacuum exists whenever the pressure within a space is less than the pressure that surrounds it How do we create a Vacuum e We can create a vacuum by pumping out the air from within a vacuum chamber i e pad e As we remove air fewer air molecules are present to push against the vacuum chamber walls thus reducing the pressure within the vacuum chamber How do we loose a Vacuum e lf the pressure between the chamber and the atmosphere equalises How does a Vacuum Cup Work i e Pad e As we remove the air from between the pad and surface the difference in air pressure causes the cup to adhere tightly to the surface e The pad adheres to the surface due to atmospheric pressure pushing against it e Atmospheric pressure is approximately 14 7 pounds per square inch psi or over 1 ton per square foot at sea level e Therefore as the surface area of the pad or pads increases the greater the weight acting against the surface of the object becomes Causes of Vacuum Lifter failure e Ifthe seal
11. ion 8 Employees must not interfere with or damage any equipment or system put in place by their employers to safeguard their health and safety Employers Section 2 2 Have a duty to 1 Provide safe plant and system of work 2 Ensure safe use handling storage and transport of articles 3 Provide information instruction training and supervision to enable them to carry out their job safely Section 3 Have a duty to ensure that you carry out your undertaking in such a way as to ensure the health and safety of those not in your employ Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 Regulation 9 Requires that all employees are provided with adequate training on all items of work equipment that they may use Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 Regulation 8 1 Requires that employers ensure that all lifting operations are 1 Properly planned by a competent person 2 Appropriately supervised 3 Carried out in a safe manner Regulation 9 3 a 1 Requires that any lifting accessory used in conditions liable to cause deterioration likely to lead to dangerous conditions must have a thorough examination carried out by a competent person at least 6 monthly Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 4 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Everybody We assess each lift and record our findings in the document Lift Management Plan The Plan 2 _ Itis the Lift Supervisor s responsibility to
12. ired from untrained personnel a designated and trained person must be in direct supervision of the lift and lifter at all times Personal Protective Equipment PPE 14 15 Wear the following PPE as a minimum Hard Hat Steel Toe Cap Boots Hi Visibility Jacket or Vest Gloves Kevlar knit with Nitrile rubber palms and fingers i e Powerflex Plus Safety Glasses In addition the risk assessments and safe working practices for tasks you complete may specify additional PPE For example use harnesses and lanyards when working on hop ups Vacuum Lifter Safety Code Page 5 of 13 Version 1 Date March 2005 Vacuum Lifter 16 Do not use a vacuum lifter tagged Out of Service 17 Check the vacuum lifter for any obvious defects i e damaged pads 18 Complete the Hansen Pre Use Inspection Check List before use each day see Appendix 1 19 Ifthe lifter fails the pre use check label it Out of Service do not use and inform your supervisor 20 Ensure that all lifting appliances and attachments for example Minifor Lifting Block Shackles Lifting beam Strops Have a undergone a thorough examination within the last 6 months accompanied by a certificate Attach copy to the Lift Management Plan Weather Conditions 21 Do not use the lifter in the rain or if the load is wet see Appendix 2 22 Do not use the vacuum outside the operating temperature range of 1 C to 40 C 23 Do not use the lifter in wind
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