How To Use A Heavy Duty Slab Lifting Clamp Safely

1. Pre-Use Inspection

Always remember that a clamp may not be prepared even though it was in use yesterday.

1. Check the Pads: See that the gripping pads of rubber or polyurethane are clean, dry, and not worn out. The most common cause of a slip is smooth or greasy pads.
2. Check on Deformities: Examine whether the welds have cracks, the frames are bent, or whether the shackle holes are long.
3. Test Spring/Lock: Make sure the automatic locking/latching mechanism pushes easily and clips into position.
4. Check WLL: Check the WLL on the stamp of the clamp. Make sure that the weight of the slab is not more than this and that the thickness of the slab is within the grip capacity of the clamp.

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2. Preparing the Slab

1. Surface Cleanliness: Clean the contact areas where the clamp will be secured with a wipe-down of any mud, oil, ice, or dust.
2. Center of Gravity: Find the center of the slab. Placing the clamp in an off-center position will make the slab tilt, which will raise the chances of slipping out of the jaws.
3. Single Slab Only: Do not ever attempt to lift more than one slab with one clamp unless it is a multi-lift clamp.

3. The Lifting Process

1. Positioning: Open the jaws and only clamp the center of the slab.
2. Engaging: Make sure the jaws are firmly against the faces of the slab. Turn the lock or unlock the latch (according to the model).
3. The Trial Lift: Lift the slab only 5-10 cm up. Check and see whether there is tilting or shifting.
4. Smooth Movement: Do not make sharp turns, acceleration, or braking with the crane or forklift. Friction may break and fall due to kinetic energy.

4. Exclusion Zones and Personnel

1. The Golden Rule: Do not stand under or within a load that is suspended.
2. Path of Travel: Have the way cleared of people and impediments.
3. Hands-Off: Tag lines (ropes on the load), should you have to steer the slab. Do not put your hands on a slab when it is moving.

5. Storage and Maintenance

1. Keep in a Dry Place: Do not allow rust to take hold of the pivot points.
2. Frequent Lubrication: Coat moving parts (springs, shackles, and bolts) with grease, but do not put lubricant on gripping pads.
3. Periodic Certification: Have the clamp professionally load tested and inspected at least once a year (or as recommended by local OSHA/safety regulations).

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