Vestil CPC - Manual (Page 3)

Safety Guidelines
Read the entire manual before you use the clamp for the first time and before each subsequent use. Refer to
the manual for safe use and maintenance procedures described on p. 7-12. If questions remain after you finish
reading the manual, contact Vestil for answers. DO NOT attempt to resolve any problems with the clamp unless
you are certain that it will be safe to use afterwards. NEVER modify the product in any way without the express,
written approval of Vestil.
 Electrocution Risk: DO NOT contact live electrical wires with the clamp or the load!
 Consult the safety messages included in the manuals for your crane, trolley, hoist, and any other device used
in conjunction with the clamp.
 ALWAYS inspect the plate clamp before each use according to the inspection procedures applied at your
worksite, e.g. as described in the most recent revision of ASME B30.20. It is advisable to also perform
“frequent” and “periodic” inspections as described in ASME B30.20.
 Properly maintain the plate clamp according to the maintenance procedures on p. 11-12 of the manual.
Vestil developed these procedures to supplement the maintenance practices of ASME B30.20.
 ALWAYS attach the plate clamp to a safety hook (i.e. a hoist that has a safety hook attached to the end of the
chain or rope), or to a connection that includes safety mechanisms to prevent accidental or unintended
detachment from the hoist. DO NOT use the device on a hoist hook that might accidentally or unintentionally
release the clamp. DO NOT connect the clamp to a safety hook that does not function properly or that is
damaged.
 DO NOT grip material that has any debris or surface contamination on it that might affect the quality of the
connection between the clamp and the load. Remove all debris, such as oil, grease, water and dirt, before
gripping the material with the plate clamp.
 BEFORE picking up the load, clear all debris, including fluids, from the path of travel if the job requires moving
material to a new location. If moisture is present in the path of travel, absorb it before using the clamp.
 Make sure that no person is in the travel path.
 DO NOT remove or obscure any label. Verify the placement and legibility of all labels as shown in FIG. 2 on
p. 12. If a label is damaged or unreadable, immediately contact Vestil for a replacement. DO NOT use the
clamp UNLESS all labels are securely attached and readable.
 DO NOT open the clamp while lifting or moving material. BEFORE opening the clamp, be certain that the
sheet material is fully supported by the ground or other surface, and is fully immobilized (can’t fall over, roll,
slide, or move in an uncontrolled manner). If a second person is needed to immobilize the material, find
someone to help you. DO NOT open the clamp while using it to lift or move sheet material.
 DO NOT attempt an unbalanced lift. Before lifting a sheet of material, attach enough clamps to properly
balance it. (See “Use Instructions,” p. 7-10 and specifically Step 5 on p. 8).
 DO NOT lift a sheet of material from the bottom of a stack. Only lift the top sheet of a stack.
 DO NOT lift a sheet from the side. ONLY attach the clamp to the top of a plate.
 DO NOT lift more than 1 sheet at a time. The clamp is designed to lift single sheets.
 DO NOT lift a sheet from a horizontal position. CPC’s are vertical plate clamps, meaning that they should
ONLY be used to lift a plate as shown in the, “Proper Vertical Lift” warning message of Step 3 on p. 7.
 DO NOT sit on or apply any weight or pressure to the material held by the clamp.
 DO NOT attempt to lift material that weighs more than the rated load of the clamp. ALWAYS make sure that
the material weighs no more than the rated load of the clamp.
 DO NOT lift a load higher than necessary. (See “Use Instructions” on p. 7-10).
 DO NOT raise the load over your feet or any other part of your body.
 DO NOT use the clamp to lift material over people or to lift any apparatus that supports people, such as a
work platform. The clamp is designed ONLY to lift sheet material.
 DO NOT get in front of or behind a suspended load while moving it. Always orient yourself so that the load is
visible to you. You are less likely to be injured if the load remains within your sight at all times. Stand to one
side of the load and hold onto the hoist’s safety hook with one hand to stabilize the material as you move it to
the desired location.
 DO NOT leave suspended material unattended. An unattended, suspended load creates a risk of injury to
yourself and others. Always move the load to its desired location, set it down and properly immobilize it, and
then disengage the clamp from the load. Disconnect the clamp from the hoist BEFORE leaving the work
area.
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