Like lifting any object, it is important to assess the risk of lifting that item and the best position for doing this in. Glass is an especially important item where you want to always lift it correctly due to the dangers involved. Known for being difficult to lift glazing typically has sharp edges, no easily grippable areas, and is very fragile. Below we will highlight the importance of glass lifting and safety.

GGR Glass has over 25 years of experience in the glazing industry and can confidently provide expert advice on handling glass safely. Applying the proper glass lifting techniques can prevent injury through strain, cuts, and more as well as increase efficiency and reduce costs as there will be less breakages and time needed off to recover from injuries.

Manual Glass Lifting

As glazing is often bulky and hard to hold it was paramount that there was a standardised way of manually lifting and transporting it. There are many factors to safe glass lifting but it is always best to consult with a professional before attempting to lift any glass.

To lift your glass, you should first work out the weight so you can decide whether a lifting partner is needed. You should lift the glass from the base while also supporting the top so it doesn’t fall. When lifting it ensure you are lifting the weight with your legs and not your back to avoid muscle strain and injury. Once you have a secure grip hold the glass to one side so the glass does not block your view when moving it. In another blog, we cover other parts of lifting glass, including what safety gear to wear.

Glass Lifting Trolleys

Where manual lifting isn’t possible, or it would take too long glaziers should always consider what tools they can use to help with their project. One of the glass lifting essentials is the humble glass trolley. These wheeled transporters provide you with a safe way to carry and store glass without the associated strain and struggle from manual lifting. Designed with various features to help transport your glazing safely there are various trolleys suited to every job.

By adding a glass trolley to your fleet, you can improve turnover times, reduce breakages, and reduce injuries. With our Slab Buggy the simple design has a suitably angled frame for supporting any glass. With a 400kg capacity and pneumatic rear tyres, users can move glass with ease. The TS500 Tandem Air Dolly also offers great support for any glazing with its built-in vacuum suction cup for holding loads in place.

Suction Cups and Glass Suckers

The use of suction cups and glass suckers in glazing projects is almost always essential so workers can avoid leaving marks on the glass and are less likely to drop it or hurt themselves. These tools stick to glass and smooth flat surfaces to essentially act as a handle. As users can now grip onto the glazing more easily they can lift and manipulate the glazing into place as well as move it across site.

These products vary in functionality and uses, each designed with different lifting abilities in mind. For example, the FingerGrab suction cup is a one-finger-operated cup for lifting smaller glazing pieces of up to 1.8kg. This product is typically intended for avoiding finger marks on your glass and providing better precision during installation. However, a product like the N5450CS Curved 9 Inch Suction Cup is specially made for lifting curved glazing.

Glass Lifting and Safety

Glass can be one of the most dangerous materials to deal with in construction due to the high risk of it breaking or cutting someone. Due to this glaziers and those working around glass should take the appropriate precautions. You should first ensure that everyone involved is trained in proper glass handling techniques and has the right PPE. This includes knowing how to manually lift glass correctly as well as how to use the tools for the job.

All equipment should be assessed before use and when using suction cups they should ensure the vacuum seal is in place before beginning to lift the glass. Locations should be assessed for any hazards before removing or making them clear to others. This can mean removing items on the floor that could trip someone up or cordoning off dangerous areas.

You can read more on glass safety here.

 

At GGR Glass we have over 25 years of experience in glass lifting solutions with expertise in a range of unique projects. To speak to one of our experts about safe glass lifting solutions contact us here.