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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 SCRAP AND MATERIAL-HANDLING GRAPPLES ALL STATE THAT USERS OF SCRAP AND MATERIAL-HANDLING GRAPPLES MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SCRAP AND MATERIAL-HANDLING GRAPPLES. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF SCRAP AND MATERIAL-HANDLING GRAPPLES.

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 20-5. Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples.

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

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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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapples.

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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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

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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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapples 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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapples 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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapples?

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

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The use of Scrap and Material Handling Grapples 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 Scrap and Material Handling Grapple you are using?

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Markings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Inspection Requirements

There are 3 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples, these are Initial, Frequent and Periodic

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

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

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

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

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

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Removal Criteria

A Scrap and Material-Handling Grapple must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the Scrap and Material-Handling Grapple is not fit for use.

Structural members for deformation, cracks, and excessive wear.

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Damaged pins and bushings

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Damaged hydraulic lines or cylinders

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Loose bolts

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If an electrohydraulic grapple damage to visible electrical conductors 

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Missing or illegible operating control markings

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

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

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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. 

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

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Damaged magnets if installed

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Meters, indicators and alarms if installed

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Selection, Limitations and Use

All Scrap and Material-Handling Grapple 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.

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.

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Rated loads cannot be exceeded

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

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

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Grapple swinging should be kept to a minimum.

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

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Avoid passing the load over people

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

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Suspended loads must not be left unattended

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

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

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

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Missing or illegible markings or tags shall be replaced

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Maintenance

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

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

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

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Only qualified personnel shall perform maintenance and tests

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

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

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

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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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Competency Evaluation

This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Scrap and Material Handling Grapple. 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.

 

Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Grapples 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.

 

Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples 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.

 

Scrap and Material-Handling Grapples Tool Box Talk

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