Self Leveling forks are the easy way to lift items on a pallet with a crane. You do need a structural lifter with a pallet. OSHA 1926.251 requires a rating.
Here's the full text:
1926.251(a)(2)
Employers must ensure that rigging equipment:
1926.251(a)(2)(i)
Has permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicate the recommended safe working load;
1926.251(a)(2)(ii)
Not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed on the identification markings by the manufacturer; and
1926.251(a)(2)(iii)
Not be used without affixed, legible identification markings, required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
1926.251(a)(3)
Rigging equipment, when not in use, shall be removed from the immediate work area so as not to present a hazard to employees.
1926.251(a)(4)
Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps, or other lifting accessories, for such units as modular panels, prefabricated structures and similar materials, shall be marked to indicate the safe working loads and shall be proof-tested prior to use to 125 percent of their rated load.
They are asking for a structural lifter to be rated. Straps don't provide the ridgidity to resist the torsion applied to the pallet. As a result the pallet could fail in any number of ways to drop everything. This reasoning and rule doesn't change with other items. The plain reading of the rule is clear that "Other Lifting Accessories... Shall be Marked to indicate the Safe working load."
So we need a structural pallet lifter. Without looking, I'm going to say that I can provide ten options to do this. But even these need to be used properly.
Most flying forks or crane pallet forks are set up to balance on 40 inch deep pallets. You can specifically order 48" pallet forks. We can manufacture them if they are what you need. But if you don't ask, you'll be getting 40" pallet forks from most manufacturers. What happens is if you put something wider than the forks, it's going to be difficult to balance the forks. The Center of Gravity will be beyond the reach of the center of the attachment point above. The load lean away from the mast and it's not the safest way to lift.
Notice this center point and that it would struggle to get to the center of the load. Sometimes if this is under 25% of the capacity of the forks, then you can put a foot on the horizontal bar, and grab the top of the mast where it changes direction. Then you can lean back and force the trolley into the best position possible. But you really should have the load within the reach of the forks, and the Center of Gravity inside of the trolley reach, with at least 25% of the rating on the forks to compress the springs.
You also want that weight as far back as possible. This gap is only exacerbating the problem on a load that is already too long for the physics involved.
If you need pallet forks, we have them at cranepalletforks.net. Manual, self leveling, or self leveling with a net as an added safety option. This option is what the UK requires.
Our forks there can be shipped to you. The prices shown cover the delivery to North America. You'll find these are very competitive and the forks are excellent quality. An ASME B30.20 cert comes with every set. If we can help with any other detail, please feel free to reach out at sales@cranegear.net.
No comments:
Post a Comment