Tips for Lifting Glass Safely
Lifting glass sheets or glass panels can be tricky - and whether you are in the glazing profession or you’re looking to replace your own windows, it is important to know how to lift glass safely.
As lifting and carrying glass can be an awkward task, we bring you this blog post today to discuss some top tips that you can apply when working with glass and carrying it.
This will ensure you are safe and are using the correct glass handling techniques. We will also go through the tools used that can make manoeuvring glass a much easier and therefore safer way to lift and carry it.
Choosing the Right Lifting Tools
One of the first things you can do to lift glass safely is to have the right tools in the first place. Having the right glass lifting tools can help you lift glass more easily, efficiently and most importantly, more safely than without any tools at all.
Glass can be slippy to hold with your bare hands and can be prone to breakage if not handled correctly. Handling glass can be dangerous due to its fragile nature and its potential to break, so having the right tools to achieve a much safer lift is a huge benefit.
It’s important to choose glass lifting tools carefully - after all, you need the right one for the job. Consider the weight of the glass you will be handling and lifting. Dimensions and the shape of your load should also be taken into account when selecting the right glass lifter for the job.
Our glass vacuum lifters at GGR Glass come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, with various lifting capacities. We have everything from small hand-operated lifting cups to equipment that is designed to lift and carry heavier loads.
Suction Cups
Suction cups are widely used in the glazing industry. They can sometimes be referred to by several different names including; glass suction pads, glass lifters, suction tools, vacuum lifters and suction lifters.
Suction cups are a must-have tool for any glazier. They make window fitting a much easier task - not only do they help with carrying glass, but they also help when it comes to fitting glass into a window frame for that perfect fit. No professional glazier will be without some form of suction cup in their kit. You can also benefit from using a suction cup if you need to transport glass by hand, as it will ensure your safety.
Lifting Capacities
The capacity for each glass suction cup will be dependent on its type and its size - a typical weight for the average suction cup is between 10kg and 60kg per cup. If you want your suction cup to work to its full potential, you should know that most cups work best when suctioning onto a flat surface. Although some specially designed cups have been made to attach to uneven and curved surfaces.
Hoist or crane glass lifters can have anywhere between 1 and 50 suction cups and can lift over a staggering 1000kg. Check out our strongest vacuum suction cups to find out more about their lifting capacities.
How a Suction Cup Works
Handheld suction cups work by being manually pushed onto a surface. The device works by pushing out the negative air which causes the cup to adhere to the surface of the glass (or other materials you are creating suction to). This creates that smooth and secure vacuum and the air pressure that is created is what makes glass suction cups able to carry such heavy loads.
It’s important to know that the secure hold against the glass will only last for so long - the vacuum does not last forever. After a while, some of the pressure will be lost and the glass could fall or slip. This could be extremely dangerous, so please be aware of this.
Always make sure you have the right lifting too for the job - one that can cope with the specific weight you are carrying. Getting this wrong could impact the length of your suction time, making it unsafe for you and others around you.
Are Glass Lifting Tools Necessary?
Glass lifting tools not only help you lift awkward and heavy panes of glass but they help you to manoeuvre glass more safely. This makes glass lifting tools necessary for lifting glass because if you can improve the safety of something then it is advised you should do - especially in the glazing industry.
Glass Lifting Tips
Now that you have learnt more about glass suction cups and how they work, it is time for some tips on how to lift and handle glass as safely as possible. Take note of the useful tips below on things you can do and things to avoid which will help to ensure that you are lifting glass as safely as possible.
Carry Glass to Your Side
Use two suction cups if necessary for an even safer hold and never carry glass above your head.
Larger Panels of Glass
For larger pieces of glass, it is best to get help and carry it between two people. More than one suction device can help with this too.
Replace Old Equipment
Replace any worn or weakened safety equipment straight away. Do not perform a job unless you have the right working safety equipment. This is important for the safety of yourself and others around you.
Broken Glass
If you notice any broken or shattered glass nearby, stay well clear of it and do not walk over it if it is on the floor. It must be cleared up as safely as possible before you continue to work.
Do Not Break Glass
If there is glass that is already broken, do not attempt to break it up into smaller pieces with your foot or hand. This could cause it to splinter and cause more harm, as you could cut yourself or worse.
Falling Glass
If the glass is falling, either from a height or if you or someone else is dropping it, do not try and catch it. If it breaks it could cause you serious harm. It is best to stand well clear of any falling glass to ensure that you are safe.
Conclusion
We hope you have learnt some useful tips that will help to keep you safe when handling glass in the future.
If you have any questions about glass handling and how to carry glass safely or any other questions about glass or glazing tools, then do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team at GGR Glass. You can email or call us - our contact details can be found on our website, where one of our advisors will be happy to help you.