DALE
Instructions for the Safe Use of Vertical Plate Clamps
The information in this document should be passed to the user of the equipment
This document is issued in accordance with the requirements of • Plate clamps should not be dropped or thrown down.
Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, amended USING PLATE CLAMPS SAFELY
March 1988. It outlines the care and safe use of VERTICAL PLATE • Do not use defective plate clamps, or accessories.
CLAMPS and is based on Section 11 of the LEEA Code of Practice • Position the clamp correctly. Place the clamp over the load centre
for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment.* It should be read in of the plate. If the plate is long and has a tendency to bend, use
conjunction with the requirements for general purpose slinging two clamps equally disposed about the centre of gravity in
practice, given overleaf, which form an integral part of these conjunction with a spreader beam. Care must be taken to ensure
instructions. no one clamp takes more than its SWL.
This information is of a general nature only covering the main points • Put the clamp onto the plate as far as it will go.
for the safe use of vertical plate lifting clamps. It may be necessary • Under no circumstances should packing be placed between the
to supplement this information for specific applications. plate and the jaws nor any attempt made to lift more than one
ALWAYS plate in the clamp.
• Store and handle plate clamps correctly. • Do not use clamps at an angle to the edge of the plate or for
• Inspect plate clamps and accessories before use and before lowering from vertical to horizontal, or vice-versa, unless they are
placing into storage. designed for the purpose.
• Put the clamp onto the plate as far as it will go. • Keep oil, grease and similar contaminates away from jaws which
• Check that the clamp is directly over the centre of gravity of the use a friction grip material to hold the plate.
load. IN-SERVICE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
• Ensure the clamp is fully locked or tightened onto the plate before • Vertical plate clamps should be cleaned and any moving parts
lifting. lubricated at appropriate intervals, unless the suppliers specific
• Take great care to ensure the plate is fully supported before instructions indicate otherwise.
attempting to release the clamp. • In the case of clamps with smooth jaws lined with a friction
NEVER material, care must be taken to ensure no lubricant comes into
• Use plate clamps on hard or polished plate unless they have been contact with the friction material.
specifically designed for that purpose. • Regularly inspect the plate clamp and, in the event of the
• Put packing between the plate and the jaws of the clamp. following defects, refer the clamp to a Competent Person for
• Attempt to lift more than one plate in the clamp. thorough examination: wear, damage or distortion to fixed and
• Lower from the vertical to horizontal or vice-versa unless the moving jaws; frame opening out or cracked; insecure, worn or
clamps have been designed for that purpose. bent pins, bolts etc; worn friction grip material; damaged, bent or
• Obliquely load vertical plate clamps. unsatisfactory acting locking lever; tight, bent or damaged
• Force or wedge the hook of the lifting appliance into the eye of clamping threads etc; corrosion; illegible marking.
the clamp. WARNING: Teeth of jaws must not be re-sharpened or re-cut unless
SELECTING THE CORRECT PLATE CLAMP this has been specifically approved by the maker.
Vertical plate lifting clamps are available in a range of capacities and
designs. They may utilise a lever, cam mechanism, roller or screw to
provide friction grip to the plate. Select the plate clamp to be used
and plan the lift taking the following into account:
Type of clamp - lever, cam, roller or screw action. © Lifting Equipment Engineers Association 2000 SI No. 9.1
Capacity and plate thickness. Further information is given in:
If a pendant chain sling is required. The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment,
NOTE: Some designs of plate clamp are suitable for lifting plates published by: LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION
from the horizontal to the vertical and the inclusion of a pendant
chain to provide articulation between the clamp and lifting hook is
essential. However the use of pendant chains should always be DALE
considered to prevent the hook weight being imposed on the clamp Lifting and Handling
as this might cause the clamp to be released. 2 Kelbrook Road, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2QA
STORING AND HANDLING PLATE CLAMPS Telephone 0845 2701 2919
• Never return damaged or contaminated plate clamps to storage. Email:
[email protected]They should be dry, clean and protected from corrosion. website: www.dale-lifting.co.uk
