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Module 4

The document discusses machine guarding and safeguarding. It describes various machine hazards and key parts. It then explains different types of guards, devices, and other safeguarding methods like location, feeding/ejection to protect workers from injury.

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usman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
76 views

Module 4

The document discusses machine guarding and safeguarding. It describes various machine hazards and key parts. It then explains different types of guards, devices, and other safeguarding methods like location, feeding/ejection to protect workers from injury.

Uploaded by

usman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 165

MODULE 4

What hazards exist?

▪ Crushed by or drawn into equipment


▪ Struck by moving parts
▪ Struck by failed components or particles

3 ©2006 TEEX
Key parts of machines

1. Point of operation: where work is performed on the


material, such as cutting, shaping, boring, or forming of
stock.
2. Power Transmission Device: transmits energy to the part
of the machine performing the work
▪ Includes flywheels, pulleys, belts, connecting rods, couplings, cams,
spindles, chains, cranks, and gears.

4 ©2006 TEEX
Key parts of machines

3. Operation Controls: Control mechanisms


4. Other moving parts: can include reciprocating,
rotating, and transverse moving parts, feed
mechanisms, and auxiliary parts of the machine

5 ©2006 TEEX
6 ©2006 TEEX
Hazards to be Guarded

▪ Things to guard include


▪ In-running nip points
▪ Rotating equipment
▪ Flying chips or sparks
▪ Belts or gears
▪ Parts that impact or shear

7 ©2006 TEEX
Rotating Parts

▪ Can grip hair or clothing


▪ Can force the body into a dangerous position
▪ Projecting pieces increase risk

8 ©2006 TEEX
In-Running Nip Points

▪ Between 2 rotating parts


▪ Between rotating and tangential parts
▪ Between rotating and fixed parts which
shear, crush, or abrade

9 ©2006 TEEX
Reciprocating Parts

▪ Risk of being struck between stationary


and moving part

10 ©2006 TEEX
Transverse motion

▪ Continuous straight line motion


▪ Worker struck or caught in pinch or
shear point

11 ©2006 TEEX
Cutting action

▪ Direct injury from cutting action


▪ Flying chips or sparks
▪ Saws, drills, lathes, mills

12 ©2006 TEEX
Punching action

▪ Ram stamps materials


▪ Danger at point of operation

13 ©2006 TEEX
Shearing action

▪ Powered blade that shears materials


▪ Hazard at point of operation

14 ©2006 TEEX
Bending action

▪ Power applied to a slide to stamp/shape materials


▪ Hazard at point of operation

15 ©2006 TEEX
Guarding Principles

▪ Prevent contact between hazardous moving parts and body


or clothing
▪ Secure guard: not easily removed
▪ Protect from objects falling into machinery
▪ No new hazards: sharp/rough edges
▪ No interference with job/comfort/speed
▪ Allow safe lubrication: without removing guards if possible

16 ©2006 TEEX
Part Two: Safeguarding

There are many ways to safeguard machines!


Determine the appropriate safeguarding method.
Consider:

• the type of operation and material


• the size or shape of stock
• the method of handling
• the physical layout of the work area
• production requirements/limitations
Part Two: Safeguarding
1. Guards
Fixed
Interlocked
Adjustable
Self-adjusting
Part Two: Safeguarding
2. Devices
Presence Sensing
Pullback
Restraint
Safety Controls
Gates

Rockford Systems, Inc.


Part Two: Safeguarding
3. Location/Distance

4. Feeding/Ejection Methods
Automatic/Semi-Auto feed
Automatic/Semi-Auto ejection
Robotics
Effective Safeguarding

• Must be in conformity with any


appropriate standards.
• Must not present a hazard in itself
nor create interference.
• Allows safe maintenance and
lubrication.
Effective Safeguarding

• Must not allow product or objects to fall into


moving parts or onto people.
• Get Buy-in from Operators, PM Tech, Lube and
Maintenance Techs.
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards

Guards are barriers which prevent access to


danger areas.
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards

Fixed Guard Characteristics:


– A permanent part of the machine. Tools
are needed for removal.
– Not dependent upon moving parts to
perform its intended function.
– Constructed of sheet metal, screen, wire
cloth, bars, plastic, or substantial material.
– Usually preferable to all other types
because of its simplicity and permanence.
Part Two: Safeguarding
As a general rule, power transmission apparatus
is best protected by fixed guards that enclose the
danger areas.

Enclosed shaft
end
Enclosed chain &
sprocket
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards

Interlocked Guard Characteristics:


When this type of guard is opened/removed:
– The tripping mechanism and/or
power automatically shuts off or
disengages.
– The machine cannot cycle or be
started until the guard is back in
place.
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards

Interlocked Guard Characteristics (continued):


– They may use electrical, mechanical,
hydraulic, or pneumatic power or any
combination of these.
– Replacing the guard must not
automatically restart the machine.
– PM is important because sometimes they
fail and sometimes they are sabotaged!
Interlocked
guarding
can be
defeated!
This was
taped down.
Good
opportunity
for RCA.
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards
Adjustable Guards
– These guards allow flexibility in
accommodating various sizes of stock
First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards

Self-Adjusting Guards
The openings of these guards are
determined by the movement of the stock.
– As the operator moves the stock into
the danger area, the guard is pushed
away, providing an opening which is
only large enough to admit the stock.
– After the stock is removed, the
guard returns to the rest position.
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices

A safety device may perform one of several


functions.

Rockford Systems, Inc.


Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
• Presence-Sensing Devices
Photoelectric (optical)
– Uses a system of light sources and
controls which can interrupt the
machine's operating cycle.
Radiofrequency (capacitance)
– Uses a radio beam that is part of the
machine control circuit.
– When the capacitance field is broken, the
machine will stop or will not activate.
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
It may stop the machine if a hand or
any part of the body is inadvertently
placed in the danger area.

Equipment Resale, Inc


Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices

• Restraint
– The restraint (holdout) device utilizes
cables or straps that are attached to the
operator's hands at a fixed point
– The cables or straps must be adjusted to
let the operator's hands travel within a
predetermined safe area - there is no
extending or retracting action involved
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
• Pullback
– Pullback devices utilize a series of cables
attached to the operator's hands, wrists,
and/or arms
– This type of device is primarily used on
machines with stroking action
– When the slide/ram is up between cycles,
the operator is allowed access to the point
of operation
Identify the Action
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices

• Two Hand Controls


– Requires constant, concurrent pressure by
the operator to activate the machine
– With this type of device,
the operator’s hands
are required to be at
a safe location (on the
control buttons) and at
a safe distance from
the danger area
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices

Rockford Systems, Inc.


Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
• Two Hand Trips
– This device requires
concurrent application
of both the operator’s
control buttons to
activate the machine
cycle, after which the
hands are free.
– Must be far enough
away to prevent
intentional contact.
Second Safeguarding Strategy: Devices
• Gates
• Provide a barrier which is synchronized with
the operating cycle of the machine in order to
prevent entry to the danger area during the
hazardous part of the cycle

Rockford Systems, Inc.


First Safeguarding Strategy: Guards
Interlocked guards:
– Vertical balers built to ANSI Z245.2
American National Standard for Refuse
Collection, Processing, and Disposal
Equipment-Stationary Compactors-Safety
Requirements do not comply with Title 8
CCR 4353(h).
Another Safeguarding Strategy

• Guarding by Location/Distance
– The machine or its dangerous moving parts
are positioned so that hazardous areas are
not accessible or do not present a hazard
during normal operation
– walls or other barricades (fences)
– height (above worker)
– size of stock (single end feeding,
punching)
Is this adequate guarding by location?
Another Safeguarding Strategy

• Auto/Semi-auto Feeding and Ejection


– Automatic and Semi-automatic Feeding
Another Safeguarding Strategy

Feeding and Ejection


– Automatic Ejection
Another Safeguarding Strategy

Feeding and Ejection


– Semiautomatic
Ejection
Another Safeguarding Strategy???

• Robotics
– Machines that load and unload stock,
assemble parts, transfer objects, and
perform other tasks
– They perform work otherwise done by the
operator
– Best used in high production processes
requiring repeated routines
Robotics
Miscellaneous Aids

Does not give complete protection from


machine hazards, but may provide the operator
with an extra margin of safety.
Examples:
•Awareness barriers
•Shields
•Holding tools
•Push sticks or blocks
*
➢Mechanical Power Presses are machines that
transmit force to cut, form, or assemble metal or
other materials through tools or dies attached to or
operated by slides.
➢3 types of Mechanical Power Presses
o Mechanical
o Hydraulic
o Pneumatic
➢ A Mechanical Press is a machine that exerts
pressure to form or shape or cut materials or
extract liquids or compress solids.
➢ A Press is a mechanically powered machine that
punches, shears, forms or assembles metal or other
materials by means of cutting, shaping or
combination of dies attached to slides or rams.
➢ A Press consists of a stationary bed ( or anvil ),
and a slide ( or slides ) having a controlled
reciprocating motion toward and away from the
bed surface, the slide being guided in a defined
path by the frame of the press.
➢ Major components of a Mechanical Press are;
o The Frame
o Motor
o Flywheel
o Crankshaft
o Clutch
o Brake
➢ Main Hazard
o AMPUTAIONS
▪ Placing hand into point of operations
▪ Unguarded or inadequately guarded presses
▪ Deactivating or over-riding safeguards
➢ Safeguards most commonly used:
o Barrier guards attached to fixed surfaces
o Presence-Sensing devices
▪ Radio Frequency Sensors
▪ Light Curtains
▪ Pullback Devices
▪ Fixed Guards
*
Safety Precautions When Dealing With Boring

• Handling boring mills is a complex job that requires specialist


precaution aimed at protecting yourself, your colleagues, and your
staff from bodily injuries.
• Use the right tool for the right job
✓One of the primary causes of industrial injuries is broken drilling
heads. By having the right tooling edge matched with the right
operational spindle speed for the right work piece, the chances of
industrial accidents are greatly reduced
• Always have protective clothing
✓There is a need to have the right protective gear on. This minimizes
the chances of industrial accidents, since your body is always
covered in the right clothing.
✓For a safer operational environment, the clothing used should be
tight enough to protect you from having loose hangings that can be
easily trapped in the revolving mill parts. Protective optical ware
should also be used at all times to protect your eyes from exposure
to work piece off-cuts.
• Know your machine
✓Having proper technical knowhow about your machine gives you a
competitive edge in increasing your safety.
✓In fact, less experienced boring machine users have been proven to
be thrice as likely as their experienced peers to cause machine-
related accidents.
✓Therefore, only personnel with the right skills should be granted the
green light to work with the boring mills.
• Service your machines regularly
✓Regular repairing and servicing of your boring tools give them a
precise way of delivering on your expectations.
✓It also safeguards your company from technical breakdowns
resulting from poorly maintained boring tools.
*
*
*
* Most farms and small shops have some type of equipment for welding and
cutting metals.

* Acetylene is the most commonly used fuel gas. Acetylene is very flammable
and hazardous, and can ignite at a wide range of concentrations.

* Oxygen won’t burn or explode, but it helps other objects burn at greater rates.

* Gases are stored in cylinders which can rupture. A cylinder containing

compressed gas can shoot through the air like a rocket if its valve is damaged

or broken.
*Storage and Handling
• Keep cylinders away from physical damage, heat, and tampering.
• Securely chain equipment to prevent falling.
• Store away from flammable and combustible materials.
• Store extra gas and oxygen cylinders separately.
• Store in an upright position.
• Close cylinder valves before moving.
• Protective caps or regulators should be kept in place.
• Roll cylinders on bottom edges to move—Do not drag.
• Allow very little movement when transporting.
*General Gas Welding Safety Tips
• Inspect equipment for leaks at all connections using approved leak-test solution.
• Inspect hoses for leaks and worn places.
• Replace bad hoses.
• Protect hoses and cylinders from sparks, flames, and hot metal.
• Use a flint lighter to ignite the flame.
• Stand to the side (away from the regulators) when opening cylinder valves.
• Open cylinder valves very slowly to keep sudden high pressures from exploding the regulators.
• Only open the acetylene cylinder valve ¼-¾ turn; leave wrench in place so the cylinder can be
quickly closed in an emergency.
• Open and light acetylene first, then open and adjust oxygen to a neutral flame.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for shutting off the torch. If the guidelines are not
readily available, the commonly accepted practice is to close the oxygen valve first.
• When finished, close cylinder valves, bleed the lines to take pressure off regulators, neatly coil
hoses, and replace equipment.
• Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible at the welding site.
*Personal Protective Equipment
• Infrared radiation is a cause of retinal burning and cataracts. Protect your eyes with safety
glasses.
• Protect your body from welding spatter and optical radiation hazards with protective
clothing. Such as:
• Woolen or heavy cotton clothing
• Flame-proof apron
• Welding gloves
• Properly fitted clothing that is not frayed or worn
• Shirts should have long sleeves
• Pants should be straight legged and covering shoes when arc welding
• Fire-resistant welder’s cap or shoulder covers are needed for overhead work
• Check protective clothing equipment before each use to make sure it is in good condition.
• Keep clothes free of grease and oil.
*Proper Ventilation
* Be sure there is adequate ventilation available when welding in confined areas or where
there are barriers to air movement. Natural drafts, fans, and positioning of the head can
help keep fumes away from the welder’s face.
* VENTILATION IS SUFFICIENT IF**:
• The room or welding area contains at least 10,000 cubic feet for each welder.
• The ceiling height is not less than 16 feet.
• Cross ventilation is not blocked by partitions, equipment, or other structural barriers.
• Welding is not done in a confined space.
* **If these space requirements are not met then the area needs to be equipped with
mechanical ventilating equipment that exhausts at least 2000 cfm of air for each welder,
except where local exhaust hoods or booths, or air-line respirators are used.
*
What is Arc Welding?

• Arc welding is most commonly used to join two pieces of metal


– The welder creates an electric arc that melts the base metals and filler
metal (consumable) together so that they all fuse into one solid piece of
metal

Steel Pipe – Tack Root Pass or Final weld after


Welded “Stringer Bead” several beads are
made
95
Arc Welding Safety

• Protect yourself and others


from potential hazards
including:
– Fumes and Gases
– Electric Shock
– Arc Rays
– Fire and Explosion Hazards
– Noise
– Hot objects

96
Fumes and Gases
• Fumes and gases can be
hazardous to your health
• Keep your head out of the
fumes
• Use enough ventilation,
exhaust at the arc, or both,
to keep fumes and gases
from your breathing zone
and the general area
• See product labeling and
MSDS for ventilation and
respirator requirements

97
Electric Shock

• Electric shock can kill


• Do not touch live electrical
parts
– Primary Voltage –230, 460
volt input power
– Secondary Voltage – 6 to
100 volts for welding
• Insulate yourself from
work and ground
Do not make repairs
• Follow all warnings on yourself, alert your
welding equipment instructor immediately!

98
Arc Rays

• Arc rays can injure eyes and


burn skin
• The welding arc is brighter
than the sun
• Precaution must be taken to
protect your eyes and skin
from UV radiation
• Wear correct eye and body
protection

99
Fire and Explosion Hazards

• Welding sparks can cause


fires and explosions
• Sparks and spatter from the
welding arc can spray up to
35 feet from your work
• Flammable materials should
be removed from the welding
area or shielded from sparks
and spatter
• Have a fire extinguisher ready
• Inspect area for fires 30
minutes after welding

100
Noise

• Loud noises can damage your hearing


• Keep loud noises at a safe level by using proper
hearing protection such as:
– Ear plugs
– Ear muffs

101
Protective Clothing

Welders must wear protective


clothing for
– Protection from sparks, spatter and UV
radiation
– Insulation from electric shock

• Protective clothing includes …


– Fire-proof clothing without rolled sleeves,
cuffs or frays
– Work boots
– Welding gloves, jackets, bibs, and fire-
proof pants
– Welding cap, helmet and safety glasses
– Ear protection – ear plugs and muffs

102
Manual Handling

• Manual handling means using physical strength to move materials .


• This method increases the possibilities of injuries and adds to the cost of product.
• To reduce the number of material handling injuries and increase the efficiency,
material handling to be minimized by combining and eliminating operations or
mechanization.
• Even after all elimination and mechanization there will be still objects to be lifted
manually for which the following factors are to be taken into consideration for safe
acts in materials handling.
Mechanical Material Handling Safety

• Heavy materials which are not safe to handle manually must be handled by mechanical

means and this includes lifting, transporting, stacking, loading and unloading by means of

palletizer, chain pulley block, forklifts, conveyors or cranes and hoists.

• Mechanical material handling avoids a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders resulting

from manual material handling.

• Mechanical material handling helps increase levels of productivity in the workplace.

There is no doubt that machines can do many tasks more quickly and efficiently in less time

which human cannot do.


Hazards in Mechanical Material Handling

1. Use of equipment and machinery without valid OSHA inspection certificates.

2. Inadequate and wrong selection of handling tools and machines.

3. Mechanical damage and faulty equipment.

4. Congested space for operation.

5. Incompetent operator.

6. Overloading of machines, tools and equipment.

7. Loading and transporting unbalanced materials.

8. Poor rigging and lifting.

9. Over speeding and unauthorized operation

10.Use of machines without machine guard.


Risk in Mechanical material handling

1. Poorly maintained tools, equipment and machines are prone to accidents due to failure of electrical, mechanical, and

hydraulic systems that can cause serious injury to personnel and property damage.

2. Risk of load failure due to inadequate and incorrect selection of handling tools and machinery.

3. There is a risk of collision with property or personnel due to congested operating space.

4. An untrained and unauthorized machine operator can cause serious accidents and injure other personnel.

5. Risk of material failure during handling due to overloading of machines, tools and equipment.

6. Equipment can fall due to improper loading and transportation, poor rigging and lifting, and over speeding by

unauthorized operation.

7. The use of machines without guards presents a high risk of serious injury.
Dos

1. Use lifting tools and hoists of adequate capacity.

2. Only authorized persons should use the equipment and machines.

3. The identification number and the safe working load must be marked on all tools and hoists.

4. Check the functioning of emergency switch, limit switches and over load alarm before actually starting the operation of
lifting machines.

5. Estimate the weight, distance, and hazards before lifting the load.

6. Store lifting tools and hoists in a designated location.

7. Use appropriate personal protective equipment

8. Keep the speed slow while approaching at destinated location.


9. Stay alert and maintain eye contact on load and nearby man movement.

10. Special care should be taken when using the forklift and other portable hydraulic equipment.

11. When lifting the load with slings, make sure that all sharp corners are padded with soft material.

12. Barricade the area where the lifting operation is performed.

13. Use appropriate plate clamps to lift metal plates.

14. Use beam clamps for lifting beams.

15. Use an appropriate guide rope while lifting and shifting the material.

16. Apply an appropriate protective coating to keep tools in good condition.


Don’ts
1. Don’t use faulty tools and tackles.

2. Don’t stand under a suspended load.

3. Don’t lift the metal plates by using web slings only.

4. Don’t use the equipment for any other purpose than intended.

5. Don’t allow personnel to move underneath lifted load.

6. Don’t load the machines and equipment above its safe working load.

7. Don’t use makeshift arrangement for lifting the material.

8. Don’t use equipment, tools, hoist and tackles with a missing label or tag.

9. Don’t drag chains, ropes or cables on the floor.

10.Don’t use chemical contaminated web slings, wire sling or belt without re-inspection.

11.Don’t use a hoist, slings, chains and other lifting tools and tackles that have lost more than 10% of its
breaking strength.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
• A manual handling risk assessment is used to identify hazards that may cause musculoskeletal injuries to workers
when they perform manual handling.

• Similar to a regular risk assessment, a manual handling risk assessment is carried out to identify and evaluate risk
factors.

• Specifically activities of lifting, putting down, carrying, moving, and handling objects during work operations.

• It is primarily carried out by health and safety officers.

• Once a manual handling risk assessment is completed, health and safety workers work to develop processes and
preventive measures.

• Assessing manual handling risks is crucial to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), increase job
satisfaction, and improve quality of work.
How do you carry out a manual
handling risk assessment?
• Determine the task – Ask the workers how the task is done. Establish
the scope of the manual handling activity and its important stages.
This helps pinpoint the exact moment an injury may happen.
• Retrieve essential information – This includes technical information
such as load factors of TILE. Load factors to consider are the weight,
size, and shape. Another essential information is knowing what
postures will the worker be in, size of the space, number of manual
handling tasks, and the employee’s technical knowledge.
• Determine the risk factors – Find out the hazards and risk factors.
Every factor needs evidence on why it’s a potential risk for the
manual handling activity.
• Identify potential improvements – Consult with the personnel using
the objective results of the manual handling risk assessment. These
improvements should reduce or prevent injury due to manual
handling activity. HSA suggests developing a safe system of work plan
and to use equipment when possible.
• Review the changes – A staff member should do regular inspections
to check the effectiveness of the implemented improvements. Risk
assessments are a continuous process that should be updated
regularly and revised when necessary.
4 Key Areas of Manual Handling
• When performing manual handling risk assessments, the assessor
mainly focuses on the 4 key areas of manual handling which is often
referred to as the acronym TILE (Task, Individual, Load, and
Environment)
• In some safety circles, “other factors” have been identified as another
key area for evaluating manual handling risks, turning the assessment
method into TILEO (Task, Individual, Load, Environment, and Other
factors).
• Task: Manual handling tasks that are too strenuous, involves long distances, and
availability of rest and recovery.

• Individual: This involves the worker’s capabilities such as no training, lack of experience,
unfamiliar with the job, physical capabilities, and prior history of injuries.

• Load: This risk can be caused by objects that are too heavy, too large, difficult to grasp or
reach, obscures the worker’s view, and unbalanced, unstable or if its contents can move.

• Environment: Hazards because of insufficient work space, uneven or slippery floors,


unstable platforms, heat stress, and poor lighting.

• Other factors: monotonous tasks at a high pace and prolonged work without resting,
among others.
Use Proper Lifting Techniques
• Avoid lifting heavy items above chest height.
• Use the “big toe” test to test the weight of the object. If you can push the item
with your toe, it is safe to move it alone. If not, ask for help.
• When picking up a heavy item from the ground, stand close to the load with your
feet shoulder-width apart.
• Squat down, bending at your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible.
• Make sure you have a firm grasp on the object before lifting. Use handles, if
available.
• If you are lifting with a partner, coordinate lifting time.
• Once the object is lifted off of the ground, carry it as close to your body as
possible to prevent the object from losing its center of gravity and falling to the
ground.
Solutions for Pulling
• Keep your feet hip-width apart.
• When bending forward to pull, drop your hips and bend your knees.
Concentrate on keeping your core muscles tight to decrease pressure
on your back.
• Always face the object you are pulling. Take small, backward steps
once you start to move.
Push Before Pulling
• It is safer to push rather than pull.
• Keep your back straight and bend your knees.
• Do not twist at your hips to push, but rather keep your core tight and
use your legs and body weight to move the object.
• Face the load squarely rather than at the top or bottom of the object.
How to Maintain hooks
1. Before use, hooks must be inspected by an experienced rigger.
2.Remove a hook from service if any of the following are in evidence:
a. Cracks, nicks or gouges
b. Twist exceeding 10 degrees from plane of unbent hook
c. Damage or malfunction to the latch
d. Throat opening exceeding 15 percent
e. Wear exceeding 10 percent of original dimension
f. Damage from heat
g. Unauthorized repairs
3.Cracks, nicks and gouges should be removed by a qualified person. Grind lengthwise, following the
contour of the hook.
4.If removing the damaged area results in a loss of more than 10 percent of the original dimension, the hook
must be replaced.
5.Never repair, alter or reshape a hook by welding, heating, burning or bending, unless approved by the
hook manufacturer.
6.When lifting, ensure the hook, not the latch, supports the load. The sling or lifting device must always be
seated properly in the bowl of the hook.
7.Never side load, back load or point load a hook. All reduce hook strength and create an unsafe condition.
Point loading can reduce hook capacity as much as 60 percent.
CLAMP Maintenance

• Routine maintenance keeps your clamps in top condition so they can live their best – and longest –
lives.

• New Clamp Use:

✓ No matter what type of woodworking clamps you’re using, the maintenance process begins the
moment you unwrap your shiny new friends. If your clamp has a bar, it’s important to properly prep
it before use.
✓ Next, use a clean cloth that’s been lightly dipped into mineral spirits and wipe the bar down. Do this
until all adhesive is gone and the bar is dry, with no resin coming off of it. To keep glue from sticking
during future glue-ups, apply a coat of paste wax to the bar and buff clean.
During clamp use
• Keeping your clamps clean will extend their life span and ensure your workspace (and final product) stays free of
marks or residue.
• The easiest way to prevent glue from adhering to your clamps is to use a protective layer – like painter’s tape,
packing tape, or parchment paper – between your project and your clamp

After clamp use


• Once a clamp’s job is finished, remove it from the workpiece immediately.
• After every use, wipe each part of the clamp with a dry cloth.
• Clearing any dust or debris will ensure there’s no buildup, and keeping clamps clean will help to avoid slippage
when working on your next project.
• Any dirt, dust, or debris has the potential to damage your clamp’s working ability and can even leave marks or
stains on the surface of your workpiece.
• You can also regularly buff your bar with paste wax, keeping all the moving parts of your clamp in top condition
and preventing rust development.
Clamp storage

▪ Always store clamps away from heat in a secure, safe, dry place.

▪ When possible, separate clamp heads to prevent them from sticking together.

▪ Consider investing in clamp racks or carts to keep clamps stored properly.

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