How to use a beam clamp fastener

The usage of beam clamps is essential to prevent accidents and damage to your beam clamps and accessories when in use. When you are using a beam clamp fastener, the following should be paid attention to:

• Ensure that you conduct a thorough check of your beam clamp before you use it. Do not use faulty beam clamps, faulty beams, or faulty hoists and so on.
   
• Make sure you attach any suspending attachment to your beam clamp from a safety hook. This will prevent accidental detachment. All of our hoists and chain blocks here at SafetyLiftinGear have a safety hook as standard.
   
• Ensure that the structure that you are suspending the beam clamp fastener from, is assembled correctly, and has an adequate weight load for either an extra beam or a hoisted load. If in any doubt, do not try and set up the beam clamps, consult your boss or manager to confirm wether it is suitable.
   
• Ensure that you have the right clamp for the job. All beam clamps have a different Working Load Limit (WLL) so if you are lifting a load that is 3.1 Tonnes you will need to purchase a 5 Tonne beam clamp. Localised Overloading is extremely dangerous, this could cause the beam clamp to break and cause accidents.
   
• Make sure the beam clamp that you are using is compatible with the hoist that you are using. By this we mean, making sure that the safety hook fits correctly into the eye of the beam clamp. Do not force safety hooks into the eye of your beam clamp as this could damage your beam clamp and accessories.
   
• Ensure that the beam is positioned over the center of gravity of the hoisted load. And ensure that the load is not swinging or at an angle to the beam clamp. As this can cause serious injury and impose health and safety risks.
   
• If you ever need to use two clamps in tandem the use of a spreader beam may be necessary, you must ensure that the beam clamps are not suspending more than their WLL.
   
• When dismantling the structure be sure to check over your beam clamps for any damage and make sure you are handling and storing them correctly. Make sure you don’t throw or drop your beam clamps as this could damage them and render them unusable.
   
• Never replace the bolts on a beam clamp without consulting the supplier, this could lead to the wrong screw being fitted that could potentially cause an accident or damage your beam clamp.