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

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

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

Manufacturer's referenced standards

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

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

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

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 ?

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

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

The use of Beam Clamps 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 Beam Clamp you are using ?

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

A Beam Clamp must be marked with a serial number

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

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

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

A Beam Clamp must be marked with its rated load

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

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

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

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

What are the training requirements for Beam Clamp users ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How often are every lift inspections completed ?

What must be checked on an every lift inspection ?

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

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

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

Damaged or inoperable controls

Structural members that are deformed, cracked or have excessive wear

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

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

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

Excessive wear at bail and load support clevises or pins.

Excessive pitting or corrosion

Excessive nicks or gouges

Indications of heat damage, including weld spatter or arc strikes

Evidence of unauthorized welding, modification or replacement of components.

Improper assembly

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

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

Damaged or distorted pins 

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

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

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.

Rated loads cannot be exceeded

Loads must be correctly distributed

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

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

Load temperature should not exceed the allowable maximum

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

Beam Clamps swinging should be kept to a minimum

Shock loading must be avoided

Mechanical damage must be avoided

Do not stand or pass under a suspended load

Do not ride on a Beam Clamp

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

Suspended loads must not be left unattended

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

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

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

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

Only Designated persons shall perform adjustments and tests

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

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

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

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

Dated records of repairs and replacements should be made

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.

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.

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. 

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).

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.  

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