Is Work a Pain in the Back? Try an Ergonomic Lift/Tilt Table

In manufacturing, warehouse and industrial settings, material handling requires employees to lift, move, and tilt materials repeatedly. To assist, there are several reasonably priced, portable, and ergonomic lifters to assist with repositioning. One of the most versatile is a hydraulic powered Lift/Tilt Table. With capacities between 1,000-6,000 lbs., lift tables can be used for pallets, offloading, product, assembly, repair, and to bridge different conveyor levels.

Tables are typically stationary but can be easily fitted with optional casters; two swivel and two fixed, a self-propelling handle, or a semi-portable dolly handle. There are a large variety of tops; extra wide, ball transfer, roller conveyor and tilt tables. These optional tops allow additional uses within company workstation cells.

Set-up for Safety

Before selecting a Lift Table, the employee(s) should be observed to see the various types of movements necessary and then plan accordingly. NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) provides an equation to assess lifting conditions. This equation uses six factors that have been determined to influence lifting difficulty; 1) Asymmetry (twisting), 2) Coupling (grip on load), 3) Lifting Frequency, 4) Horizontal Location of Hands (start to finish), 5) Vertical Location (from floor), and 6) Travel Distance of Load. For more information, please see OSHA’s Technical Manual.

Lift/Tilt tables should be at a height so that the employee can stand fully upright or in a fully supported, seated position. The object should be to eliminate the employee having to bend, twist or pull products, all of which can lead to back pain and injury.

As with any type of industrial equipment, consider purchasing safety features to avoid any mishaps. Bellow skirting, safety tape switch, safety touch bars, and toe guards may be added to the table to ensure safety.

With the right set-up, Lift Tables and Tilters can provide a healthier work environment and increased productivity.

For more information on Lift Tables and Tilters, call our Sales Representative at 800-242-3477 or email smartlift@wiscolift.com. Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart.”

Are You and Your Rigging Operators Lifting Responsibly?

According to ASME B30.20, both the owner of a lifting device (the company) and its operator are responsible for certain guidelines when lifting below-the-hook devices.

EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

1.     Establish /Verify Equipment Safety - In order to ensure that below-the-hook equipment meets ASME standards an Equipment Inspection/Testing/Maintenance Program should be put into place. All equipment should be regularly inspected, tested and maintained so that it is in proper working order and records maintained.

2.     Use Proper Lifting Devices - Make sure that proper lifting devices are being used for a particular lifting application and that they are being used correctly according to the operating manual.

3.     Provide All Applicable Documentation - The operator should have access to operating instructions on all below-the-hook devices that provide field assembly, disassembly, operation and maintenance, and warning decals and placards installed by the manufacturer. In addition, all inspection, testing and maintenance records should be available to view before the operator lift.

4.     Use Qualified, Experienced Operators - The operator shall be instructed in the use of the devise by a designated person and should have knowledge and experience in applications and adjustments to loads, equipment shift inspection, load capacity, standard hand signals, and other overhead lifting requirements by ASME. For complete list, see ASME B30.20-3.4.2 Qualifications.

5.     Assess Lifting Conditions - Since adverse conditions can affect the lifting load, take conditions into account such as extreme temperatures, lighting, wind, precipitation or fog. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be used if conditions are questionable.

OPERATOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES

1.     Perform Visual Inspection and Test Controls - Make a visual inspection of hardware to make sure that all equipment is safe to use and test the lifting device controls that will be used to make sure they are working correctly. If any equipment is unsafe it should be reported and taken immediately out of service. ASME Section 20-3.3 states that the following should be inspected before and/or during every lift for indication of damage:

Lifting Magnets

-          Lifting magnet face and surface of the load for foreign materials and smoothness

-          Control handles of manually controlled permanent magnet

-          Condition and operation of indicators and meters

Vacuum Lifters & Mechanical Lifting Devices

-          Surface of the load for debris

-          Seal of the vacuum pad for debris

-          Condition and operation of the controls

-          Condition and operation of the indicators, meters and pumps

2.     Consider All Lifting Factors - Consider anything that may affect the load such as weather, temperature, or type of load. Ensure that all lifting operations are performed in a smooth, controlled manner and that all personnel are clear of the lifting area.

3.     Check Equipment Documentation - Check inspection/maintenance records to see if there have been any problems with the existing equipment and check other equipment documentation if necessary, for proper procedures, assembly, disassembly and rigging of the device.

4.     Lockout/Tag Procedures - Understand lockout/tagout procedures should equipment need to be taken out of service.

5.     Lifting Communication - Respond to designated people during the load lift. A STOP order should be followed regardless of who issues it.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Check Manufacturer’s Tolerances

You will find that different manufacturers offer the same lifting device but they can have different load ratings and tolerances. If you are not sure, check the manual before lifting.

Check Welded/Altered Equipment

All equipment that has been welded/altered should have identification stating the name and address of the repairer and include information on what was welded/altered. Equipment must be repaired and labeled by a qualified company or it should be taken out of service.

Always Use As Directed

Always use below-the-hook devices as they are intended. Danger always exists when loads are transported, especially when equipment is not properly maintained or safety precautions are not taken. Remember that proper lifting is the owner and the operator’s responsibility.

If you or your operators need overhead operator or inspection training we offer online training modules at: https://www.wiscolift.com/collections/training. For additional information, contact us at smartlift@wiscolift.com or call 800-242-3477.

Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart!”

Material Handling / Lifting With Plate Clamps

Vertical and horizontal plate clamps are designed for lifting sheets, profiles or structures in either a vertical and/or horizontal direction. Plate lifting clamps have a built-in safety mechanism which consists of a locking device, a tension spring and a lever. Once the lever has been operated, the safety mechanism provides constant pre-tensioning of the cam on the steel-plate to ensure that the clamp doesn’t slip when the lifting force is applied. When the load is lifted, the clamping force on the cam is increased by the weight of the load.

With their ease of use and locking functionality, they provide a safe and ergonomic way to lift many types of materials.

There are lifting clamps designed for particular applications as well as specific materials. For an overview, these are some of the available plate clamps on the market today:

Vertical Lifting Plate Clamps – For vertical lifting, transporting and turning of steel plates and structures.

• Flexible Lift/Extended Reach – Has 3-way articulating link for flexible vertical lifting of steel plates and structures.
• Thin Sheet – Vertical lifting and transporting of thin sheet metal.
• Wide Jaw Opening – Designed for lifting, handling and transporting shipbuilding structures, steel plates and structures.
• Holland Profile (Hp) – Designed specifically for the Hp profile to lift, handle and transport shipbuilding structures from all positions.
• Stainless Steel – For lifting, transporting and turning of stainless steel plates and structures.
• Non-Marking (Marring) – Clamps designed with two clamping jaws with a special plastic layer. These can be used with various materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, plastic and stone. Not to be used with concrete.
• Automatic Lock – Clamps have a safety lock that automatically clicks onto the material as soon as the clamp is placed on the plate.
• Drum Lifting – Designed to vertically lift, move and transfer gallon drums with steel tops.
• Concrete Pipe – These clamps are designed to vertically lift and transfer concrete pipe sections and wells.
• Small-Grip – For the vertical lift and transfer of angle iron and other loads that have a small gripping area (h-beams, angles, etc.).

Horizontal Lifting Plate Clamps – Clamps that provide horizontal lifting and transfer of sheets and bundles.

• Sagging/Non Sagging  – Clamps that can be used for horizontal lifting and transfer of sagging and non-sagging material. Can also be used to handle material used in shears, bending and rolling machines or other fabrication equipment.
• Non-Sagging – These clamps only work with non-sagging sheets.
• Bundles – Designed to lift and transfer bundles of non-sagging steel plates in the horizontal position.
• Shipbuilding – Used for lifting, transferring and placing bulb profiles onto ship’s hulls perpendicularly. Clamps are fitted with a locking device for both the open and closed positions.
• Shipsection – Designed to lift, transfer and place complete shipsections. Fitted with a locking device for both open and closed positions.

Universal Plate Clamps – Can be used for horizontal and vertical lifting, transporting and turning of steel plates and structures. These shackles place the center of gravity of the beam to be lifted directly beneath the lifting shackle.

• Offset Lift – Used for lifting, transferring and stacking of level lifts of i-beams, fabrications and ship sections. Can be used for horizontal and vertical moving, transferring and stacking.
• H-Beam – Used to lift, transfer and stack h-beams. These clamps can be used in vertical and horizontal moving, transfer and stacking of different types of structures.
• Steel Beam – Clamps are used for horizontal lift and transfer of steel beams. They designed to be used in vertical and horizontal moving, transfer and stacking of i-beams, h-beams, angles, etc.

Note that if you are using plate clamps outside, wind velocity, precipitation, fog, extreme temperatures and lighting can adversely affect the lifting device’s operation.

As with any below-the-hook lifting device, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure to establish an inspection, testing and maintenance program in accordance with ASME B30.20.

For questions on the best plate clamp for your material handling application, please call our office at 800-242-3477 or email smartlift@wiscolift.com. 

Don’t Underestimate the Danger of Overhead Cranes

OSHA statistics don’t lie. Since January there have already been eight fatalities involving Overhead Cranes. One study referenced in OSHA literature indicated that approximately eleven percent of all overhead crane accidents are the result of mechanical errors. Mechanical error in overhead crane accidents is often the result of negligence on behalf of crane-related professionals, including employers and safety professionals. Overhead Crane accidents can be caused by a lack of adequate preventative maintenance, inspections, and lack of operator training and/or experience.

ASME B30.2-3.1.2 Crane Operating Training, states that training should include those items that applies to the crane at the employer’s workplace and type of load that will be handled (i.e., raw materials, bulk materials or fragile materials), and the operator’s responsibilities involving the movement of the load.

Sources for training should include:

• Information outlined in the manual provided with the equipment.
• Information available through trade associations.
• Government training resources.
• Courses and programs from manufacturers of cranes, crane consultants, trade schools, continuing education schools, employers, and manufacturers of crane component parts.
• Requirements and recommendations found in National Consensus Standards (ASME).

Responsibilities of the employer/management are:

• Identify, document and assign responsibilities of the overhead crane operator and other persons involved in the movement of the load.
• Provide training to persons who will operate an overhead crane.
• Provide written and practical examinations that verify the person has acquired the knowledge and skill to operate the particular overhead crane(s) that will be operated by the person. The examinations shall be defined by the owner/user and in accordance with any local, state, and federal provisions that may apply.
•  Issue a certificate or formal record that verifies that the person has been trained and passed the examination.

Make sure you or your employees are properly trained before using overhead cranes. Their life may just depend on it!

Sky Hook Lifting Device - Lift 500 Lbs. with a Turn of a Wheel!

Have you heard of the Sky Hook? It is an ergonomic, portable lifting device that allows one person to lift up to 500 lbs. and pivots 360 degrees allowing high functionality in tight working conditions.

We are now selling two Sky Hook models on our website: the Model 8550 with a floor mount base, and the Model 8557 with a mobile base. Both models are ideal for maintenance and service departments. The Sky Hook fits into alternate bases and can be custom modified to meet your specific work application.

Features:

• Model 8550: Bolts easily to floor or any suitable flat surface.

• Model 8557: Designed to straddle the corner of benches, pallets, etc.

• Uses one hand operation that does the work of 4 people.

• Rotates 360 degrees.

• Operates in tight working conditions.

• Totally maintenance free.

• Disassembles for easy transport.

• Meets applicable OSHA and ASME requirements.

• Utilizes roller chain and Friction Brake.

• Clutch Brake and Cable Chain available upon request.

For additional information or to receive a Sky Hook brochure, please contact our Sales Representative at 800-242-3477 or email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com.

Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart.”

MSDs Affect 31 Percent of Workers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) resulting from overexertion in lifting, accounted for 31 percent (356,910 cases) of the total cases for all workers. BLS.gov (Nov. 2016)

The good news is that those statistics are down from prior years, however, most MSDs occur in private industry where work included laborers and freight, stock, and material movers. Workers in the age group of 45-54 had the highest number of days away from work cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2020, a quarter of all workers will be 55 or older, making occupational safety and health a priority for many industries.

OSHA recommends that employers evaluate their ergonomic hazards in the workplace and implement a systematic plan to resolve them:

1)    Commitment by Top Management
The Employer’s commitment is necessary to integrate an ergonomics program and carry it out with managers, supervisors, and employees.

2)    Written Program
The written program should establish clear goals and objectives and have dates of completion for each program element.

3)    Employee Involvement
The program should allow employees to bring safety concerns forward to be evaluated and corrected without fear of reprisal.

4)    Regular Program Review and Evaluation
Procedures and mechanisms should be developed to evaluate the implementation and progress of the program on a regular basis.

5)    Onsite Analysis
All areas should be evaluated as to existing hazards and if the risk hazards can be reduced or eliminated by using different equipment.

For the full report of ergonomic guidelines, go to: OSHA.gov.

Do you need assistance with ergonomic equipment for your workplace? WiscoLift is a leading material handling distributor for ergonomic lifting devices. For your free consultation, please call our office at 800-242-3477 or email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com.

Remember, Working Safe is Working Smart.

#ergonomics #safety #materialhandling #wiscolift

Get a Helping Hand with a Vacuum Lift

Do you want to streamline material handling procedures yet don’t know the best lifting device to use or cannot find the exact device to accomplish your tasks efficiently?

When an application involves rotating, holding and manipulating product or material, a vacuum lifter can easily handle multiple tasks and custom vacuum lifters offer precise application efficiency, saving on staff and possible injury.

As you probably know, employees that have material handling tasks are at risk due to awkward postures, repetitive motion, and forceful exertion, all of which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Vacuum Lifters are a good solution because they grab the load using suction cups and can be controlled by a single operator and their non-marring pads are effective on a wide variety of materials.

Before You Buy

There are certain specifications that ASME B30.20-2013 Below the Hook Lifting Devices require of a vacuum lift’s construction:

•      The vacuum pad capacity, electrical equipment, and design should comply with ASME BTH-1 (Design Category A).
•      The horizontal lift should not be greater than 50% of the Ultimate Pad Capacity (UPC) for horizontal surface lifts.
•      The vertical lift should not be greater than 25% of the Ultimate Pad Capacity (UPC) for vertical surface lifts.

In addition, inspections should be performed at every lift, and at additional intervals based on usage. Dated inspection reports should be available for each scheduled inspection, when the vacuum lifter is either altered or repaired, or has been out of service for a period of time.

To ascertain that the vacuum lift has been designed according to ASME regulations and has been properly load tested, only use a reputable manufacturer.

A Unique Solution

Below is a Vacuum Lift that WiscoLift designed and load tested for two customers that needed a custom lifting device built for their application.

This Vacuum Lift was designed with automatic vacuum sensing valves so it can be used on different sizes of material without the operator having to turn on/off the vacuum flow at individual vacuum pads.

For additional information on how a custom vacuum lift can assist with your application, please call our Sales Representative at 800-242-3477 or email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com.

#materialhandling #ergonomics #lifting #wiscolift