Learn the proper measures needed to be taken when loading and unloading slabs in various situations on and off the jobsite
Safety should always be at the forefront when moving slabs around a warehouse, fabrication shop or on the jobsite. Whether transporting the large, heavy pieces of stone or quartz manually or with a forklift or crane, following safety procedures is a must. Unfortunately, there are still one too many reported cases of fatalities or serious injuries often due to complacency when moving slabs. The Natural Stone Institute does an excellent job of providing free instructional resources on this subject. The following are several key points outlined in those documents.
Before beginning, it is important to know the weights of the bundles and slabs that are being moved with the forklift to ensure they do not exceed the equipment’s rated capacity. There should be a minimum of two people required when moving a load, the lift operator and a spotter. Loads should be lifted slowly, and observe a trial tensioning to verify balance. Slabs should also be inspected for cracks or fissures, and never lift wet slabs. When preparing a slab for lifting, it is extremely important to avoid tipped or dropped slabs. The following steps can assist in lifting the slab successfully and without injury: • Use a wedge to separate the slab from the stack and allow space for a clamp or cables to be set. The spotter should stand at the end of the slabs while inserting the wedge, staying outside the “fall shadow” • The spotter should wait until the slabs are stable and the forklift or crane is in place before stepping in front of the slab to connect the clamp or cables • The operator should not raise the slab until the spotter is clear at least arms distance and directs the driver to raise the slab