Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code 2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.20-2018, Below the Hook Lifting Devices, Chapter 20-5. Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples.

Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Scrap and Material Handling Grapple.

Manufacturer's referenced standards

Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Scrap and Material Handling Grapples.

Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

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

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

Do you have documented policies and procedures in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Scrap and Material Handling Grapples.

The use of Scrap and Material Handling Grapples can create hazardous situations

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

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

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Scrap and Material Handling Grapple you are using?

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with the manufacturer's or repairer's name and contact information

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with a serial or unit identification number

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its own weight

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its rated voltage (when applicable)

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its operating hydralic pressure(s)

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its rated capacity

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its ASME BTH-1 Design Catagory B

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be marked with its ASME BTH-1 Service Class

A Scrap and Material Handling Grapple controls shall be clearly marked describing resulting motion or function of the lifter.

What are the training requirements for Scrap and Material Handling Grapple users?

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements for Scrap and Material Handling Grapples

Manufacturer's specifications for the Scrap and Material Handling Grapples must be available to users

Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Scrap and Material Handling Grapples kept?

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

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

All new and reinstalled Scrap and Material Handling Grapples shall be inspected by a designated person prior to initial use

All altered or repaired Scrap and Material Handling Grapples shall be inspected by a designated person

How often are frequent inspections completed?

What must be checked on a frequent inspection?

How often are periodic inspections completed?

What must be checked on a periodic inspection?

All Scrap and Material Handling Grapples must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a designated person

How does your company identify a Scrap and Material Handling Grapple has had a periodic inspection?

If a combination magnet/grapple inspect the magnet as per ASME B30.20 Chapter 20.4

Structural members for deformation, cracks, and excessive wear.

Damaged pins and bushings

Damaged hydraulic lines or cylinders

Loose bolts

If an electrohydraulic grapple damage to visible electrical conductors 

Missing or illegible operating control markings

Members, fasterners and lifting parts for deformation, wear, and corrosion.

Hydraulic hoses, fittings, and tubing for leakage, blistering, abnormal deformation, excessive abrasion or scrubbing.

Hydraulic motors for loose bolts or fasteners, leaks at joints or seals, unusual noises or vibration, loss of speed, excessive heating of fluids, or loss of pressure. 

Hydraulic cylinders for drifting, leaking fluids, scored, nicked, or dented cylinder rods, dented cases, loose or deformedrod eyes or connecting joints.

Damaged magnets if installed

Meters, indicators and alarms if installed

Scrap and Material Handling Grapples shall only be operated by trained, designated persons, which includes, designated persons, trainees under the supervision of designated persons, maintenance and test personnel, and inspectors.

Rated loads cannot be exceeded

The Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must be applied to the load in accordance with the instruction manual

The temperature of the load should not exceed the maximum allowable limits of the grapple

Grapple swinging should be kept to a minimum.

The Grapple or its load must not come into contact with any obstructions

Avoid passing the load over people

Scrap and Material Handling Grapples must be correctly stored when not in use

Suspended loads must not be left unattended

The operator shall not ride, or allow others to ride the load or grapple

Scrap and Material Handling Grapples shall not be used if tagged "Out of Service" or designated as nonfunctioning

"Out of Service" tags shall not be removed without approval of the person placing them or a designated person.

Missing or illegible markings or tags shall be replaced

Before maintenance or repair is started all sources of power must be disconnected, locked out, and tagged "Out of Service" 

Before loosening or removing hydraulic components all hydraulic pressure shall be relieved from circuits.

Only qualified personnel shall perform maintenance and tests

All moving parts that require lubrication as per the manufacturer should be lubricated at a frequency and level required 

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

After adjustments and repairs the Scrap and Material Handling Grapple must not be returned to service until it has been inspected

Dated records of repairs and replacements should be made

Any hazardous condition disclosed during inspection must be corrected before normal operation of the Scrap and Material Handling Grapple is resumed

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.