Handling stone slabs and scants requires moving and handling thousands of pounds of rock, creating several safety risks, including machinery damage and serious injury. Stone handling equipment reduces much of this risk and allows your team to prevent some of these common hazards:
1. Manual Handling & Lifting
Manual handling and lifting should be avoided at all times. One of the biggest risks in stone handling comes from manually handling and lifting large, heavy slabs. Workers not only risk injury if a slab or stone falls but also risk repetitive-motion injuries, such as back or knee strain. Fatalities are also possible, with OSHA reporting 46 fatalities between the years 1984 and 2006, when manual handling and lifting were more common.
2. Slab Damage
Slabs can cost $20 to over $300 per square foot, so you definitely don’t want them to fall or break; even minor nicks and scratches reduce their value.
Stone handling equipment, including racks and A-frames, securely holds slabs to prevent accidental falls. They also provide easy access for forklifts, reducing the need for manual handling, which in turn reduces touch points and lowers the risk of damage to the slab.
3. Unexpected Movement
Using stone handling equipment prevents unexpected movement by holding the slab tightly in place. Vibration from cutting operations can cause slabs in storage to shift and crash to the ground, potentially damaging the slab and injuring workers. Movement can also occur during transport as vibrations from the vehicle allow the slabs to shift.
4. Slip & Fall Risks From Clutter
Misplaced slabs, waste products from slab fabrication, and equipment can all create slip-and-fall risks. Stone handling equipment reduces this risk by properly holding stone slabs, remnants, raw materials, and waste products in place while simultaneously improving material accessibility when transportation is needed.
Other Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Stone handling equipment reduces risks, but there are other safety tips to keep in mind to prevent injuries and slab damage:
- When using suction cups or scissor clamps to transport slabs, verify that the load rating is sufficient.
- Use proper PPE, including gloves and steel-toed boots, when handling and transporting stone.
- Keep all paths clear of debris to reduce slip-and-fall risks.
- Understand the load capacities of all stone handling equipment.
- Clear the fall shadow when slabs are hoisted in the air to prevent crush injuries or fatalities if the slab falls.
- Store slabs on racks that are properly sized for the load and the forces associated with the type and size of stone.
- Regularly inspect storage equipment to protect against failures, such as cracks or bends, that can lead to slab damage.
Ensure Safety With Help From Roura
Roura Material Handling helps manufacturers improve process efficiency and workplace safety by manufacturing industry-leading stone handling equipment, including heavy-duty steel A-Frames, Slab Racks, and Remnant Racks.
Visit our website today to browse our stone handling equipment, or contact us to speak with a Roura product specialist.