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Product Resource Information

Scope

THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.20-2018 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF BEAM CLAMPS ALL STATE THAT USERS OF BEAM CLAMPS MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BEAM CLAMP. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF BEAM CLAMPS.

Legislation, Standards and Specifications

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021

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American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.20-2018, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, Chapter 20-6 Clamps.

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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Beam Clamp.

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Manufacturer's referenced standards

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Employer, Worker, User, Supervisor and Supplier Responsibilities

Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Beam Clamps

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Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Beam Clamps?

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If a user is not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Beam Clamps they must have direct supervision from a competent worker

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If not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Beam Clamps do users have direct supervision ?

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Do you have documented policies and procedures in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Beam Clamps ?

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An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Beam Clamp.

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The use of Beam Clamps can create hazardous situations

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Have Supervisors taken all precautions to protect the health and safety of every worker under the Supervisors supervision.

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Have Suppliers ensured the equipment supplied is in a safe operating condition, and that it complies with this Act, regulation and the OHS Code  

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Design Factors

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Beam Clamp you are using ?

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Markings

A Beam Clamp must be marked with the manufacturer's name and contact information

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with a serial number

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its weight if over 100lbs (45kg)

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its cold current amps (when applicable)

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its rated voltage (when applicable)

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its rated load

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its ASME BTH-1 Design Category

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A Beam Clamp must be marked with its ASME BTH-1 Service Class

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A Beam Clamp must have attached product safety labels according to ANZI Z535.4-2011

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If a Beam Clamp is only designed for anchoring or positoning it shall be marked accordingly

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Training

It is important that all Beam Clamp users be knowledgeable about the safe and proper use, application of Beam Clamps, be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and safety material provided with each product. In addition all Beam Clamp users need to be aware of their responsibilities outlined in all applicable standards, regulations and policies

What are the training requirements for Beam Clamp users ?

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How does your company monitor the training requirements for Beam Clamps ?

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How have users been trained in the requirements for Beam Clamps ?

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Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements for Beam Clamps

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Manufacturer's specifications for the Beam Clamp must be available to users

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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Beam Clamps kept ?

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How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications ?

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Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Beam Clamps ?

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Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Beam Clamps ?

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Inspection Requirements

There are 4 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Beam Clamps, these are Initial, Every Lift, Frequent and Periodic

All new and reinstalled Beam Clamps shall be inspected by a designated person prior to initial use

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All altered or repaired Beam Clamps shall be inspected by a designated person

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How often are every lift inspections completed ?

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What must be checked on an every lift inspection ?

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How often are frequent inspections completed ?

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What must be checked on a frequent inspection ?

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How often are periodic inspections completed ?

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What must be checked on a periodic inspection ?

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All Beam Clamps must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a qualified person

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All Beam Clamps that have been idle for a period of one month or more must be given a frequent inspection

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How does your company identify a Beam Clamp has had a periodic inspection ?

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Removal Criteria

A Beam Clamp must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the Beam Clamp is not fit for use.

Damaged or inoperable controls

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Structural members that are deformed, cracked or have excessive wear

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Loose or missing guards, fasterners, bolts, covers, stops or nameplates

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Misadjustment of functional operating mechanisms and automatic hold-and-release mechanisms that interfere with the Beam Clamps operation

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Excessive wear of friction pads, linkages, and other mechanical parts

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Excessive wear at bail and load support clevises or pins.

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Excessive pitting or corrosion

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Excessive nicks or gouges

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Indications of heat damage, including weld spatter or arc strikes

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Evidence of unauthorized welding, modification or replacement of components.

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Improper assembly

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Gripping teeth that are, worn, broken, chipped or clogged

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Gripping surfaces that are contaminated, have wear, or lack gripping material

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Damaged or distorted pins 

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Damage to the body, including cracked weld, bends, twists, stretching, or cracking

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Damaged, distorted, or worn threads including foreign material on the threads

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Selection, Limitations and Use

All Beam Clamp users must be aware that their capacity may change depending on things such as type and size of material lifted, the sling angle, angle of lift and the environment it is used in.

Beam Clamps shall only be operated by qualified personnel, which includes, designated persons, trainees under the supervision of designated persons, maintenance and test personnel, and inspectors.

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Rated loads cannot be exceeded

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Loads must be correctly distributed

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Beam Clamps shall not be used to handle any loads for which they are not designed

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Beam Clamps shall be applied to the load in accordance with their instruction manuals

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Load temperature should not exceed the allowable maximum

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What is the minimum and maximum temperature the Beam Clamps can be exposed to ?

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Beam Clamps swinging should be kept to a minimum

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Shock loading must be avoided

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Mechanical damage must be avoided

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Do not stand or pass under a suspended load

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Do not ride on a Beam Clamp

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Do not use the Beam Clamp to side pull or slide a load

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Suspended loads must not be left unattended

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When locks are provided on Beam Clamps they shall be used.

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Rated load must be reduced as required by the manufacturer for lifts other than a straight lift.

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Maintenance

A maintenance program must be established and be based on recommendations made by the Beam Clamp manufacturer, a qualified person may also include additional recommendations based on their review of the Beam Clamp application and operation.

Before adjustments are started all sources of power must be disconnected, locked out, and tagged "Out of Service"

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Before repairs the Beam Clamp must be tagged "Out of Service"

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Only Designated persons shall perform adjustments and tests

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Only Designated persons, or those under the direction of a Qualifed person shall perform adjustments and repairs

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Replacement parts must be at least equal to the original manufacturer's specifications

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Any hazardous condition disclosed during inspection must be corrected before normal operation of the Beam Clamps is resumed

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After adjustments and repairs the Beam Clamps must not be returned to service until it has been inspected

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Dated records of repairs and replacements should be made

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Misconceptions

Misconception 1. If you have attended a training course you are a competent rigger.

Training is only one part of being competent to carry out your job, you must also be adequately qualified and have sufficient experience.

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Misconception 2. Beam Clamps can be used at all temperatures without affecting their capabilities or application.

Temperature ranges can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and must be confirmed by the user. The manufacturers specifications must be reviewed prior to use.

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Misconception 3. Beam clamps can be used at various horizontal angles when attached to the load.

Universal Beam Clamps are designed to be used at all angles, but not rated at full WLL for all angles. As the clamp is used away from the vertical the rating of the clamp will reduce. How much it reduces at the various angles may differ from one manufacturer to another. It must be noted that some Beam Clamps are only designed for vertical (in-line) loading, and for suspension, not attaching directly to a load. 

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Misconception 4. Beam Clamps are rated at both vertical and horizontal angles.

Some Beam clamps can lift in both the horizontal and vertical planes, but many Beam clamps can only be used for vertical applications (suspension).

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Misconception 5. Beam Clamps are designed for vertical lifts only.

Some Beam clamps are only designed for vertical lifts but this is not always the case. Some clamps can lift in both the horizontal and vertical planes, consult the manufacturer for the Beam clamp limitations.  

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Misconception 6. Beam Clamps can be used without consulting the manufacturers specifications.

The operator shall be instructed in the use of the device by a designated person. Instructions should include the manufacturer's suggested operating procedures. It is an operators responsibility to understand the lifting device's functions and limitations as well as its particular operating characteristics

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Competency Evaluation

This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Beam Clamp. It can be used by either Workers or Employers to assess their knowledge. Click on the link below to either download or print the evaluation.

 

Beam Clamp Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Beam Clamps supplied are compliant to the ASME B30.20 and ASME BTH-1 standards, as these are the most recognized standards used in North America. Click on the link below to either download or print the questionaire.

 

Beam Clamp Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

Tool Box Talks

These Tool Box Talks can be used as part of a safety meeting that focuses on topics related to a specific job, such as workplace hazards and safe working practices. Click on the link below to either download or print the tool box talk.

 

Beam Clamps Tool Box Talk

Video