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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 HORIZONTAL CLAMPS ALL STATE THAT USERS OF HORIZONTAL CLAMPS MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HORIZONTAL CLAMPS. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF HORIZONTAL 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 20-1 Structural and Mechanical Lifting Devices.

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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Horizontal 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 Horizontal Clamps

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

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

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The use of Horizontal 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 Horizontal Clamp you are using ?

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Markings

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

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A Horizontal Clamp must be marked with a serial number

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

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

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

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A Horizontal Clamp must be marked with its rated load

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

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

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

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Training

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

What are the training requirements for Horizontal Clamp users ?

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

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

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

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Manufacturer's specifications for the Horizontal Clamps must be available to users

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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Horizontal 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 Horizontal Clamps?

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

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Inspection Requirements

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

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

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All altered or repaired Horizontal 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 Horizontal Clamps must have a documented periodic inspection completed by a qualified person

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All Horizontal 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 Horizontal Clamp has had a periodic inspection ?

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Removal Criteria

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

Damaged or inoperable controls

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Damaged or inoperable indicators and meters if installed

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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 Horizontal Clamps operation

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Cracked or worn gears, pulleys, sheaves, sprockets, bearings, chains and belts.

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

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Excessive wear at hoist hooking ponts and load support clevises or pins.

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Selection, Limitations and Use

All Horizontal 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.

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

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

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Before operating lifting ropes or chains must not be kinks or twisted around each other

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Load temperature should not exceed the allowable maximum

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What is the minimum and maximum temperature the Horizontal Clamp can be exposed to ?

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Horizontal Clamp 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 Horizontal Clamp

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

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Suspended loads must not be left unattended

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Maintenance

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

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

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Before repairs the Horizontal Clamp must be tagged "Out of Servce"

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Only Qualified persons shall perform adjustments and tests

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Only Qualified 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 Horizontal Clamp is resumed

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After adjustments and repairs the Horizontal Clamp 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. Horizontal Clamps can be used for lifting flexible loads.

As the length or width of the load increases the load begins to deflect and bend and can slip out of the lifters jaws. Refer to manufacturer instructions for restrictions the horizontal clamp may have.

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Misconception 3. The rating on Horizontal Clamps are for each individual device.

Horizontal Clamps are commonly rated in pairs as this is the correct way to use them. Always consult the manufacturers specifications to insure proper ratings.

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Misconception 4. Horizontal Clamps can be attached at all horizontal angles.

The sling angle that the horizontal clamps can be used at may vary depending on the style and manufacturer, always consult the manufacturer charts to insure proper application and angles.

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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 Horizontal 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.

 

Horizontal Clamp Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

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

 

Horizontal 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.

 

Horizontal Clamp Tool Box Talk

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