Vacuum lifters used for handling and transporting glass are common on building sites. While vacuum lifters have made it much easier to lift and transport huge panels of glass, are they totally safe?

Leading Australian supplier of glass vacuum lifters, NFK Glazing & Industrial Suppliers, says knowing the risks surrounding glass deflection is the first step to keeping everybody safe.

What is glass deflection? Glass deflection occurs when glass panels bend, typically when horizontally orientated. Various factors can lead to excessive glass deflection resulting in loss of vacuum, with the potential for serious accidents and injury to occur as a result.

For example, this type of incident occurred on a building site in Brisbane's CBD last year. Fortunately, nobody was injured, however, the site was closed for days for an investigation and the construction company had to pay over $50,000 in costs. It is a situation that could have been easily avoided if the operators were aware of safety rules around glass deflection.

Some of the most common causes of glass deflection include:

Incorrect handling - where the suction cups are not positioned correctly leaving glass insufficiently supported.

Environmental factors - wind, rain and temperature can also increase the risk of glass defection. Wind gusts during lifting and transport can make the glass unstable; while low temperatures (lower 0C) can affect the suction cups' adhesion to the glass securely.

Improper training and maintenance - using glass vacuum lifters that have not been well maintained, according to manufacturer guidelines, or without correct training on recommended procedures can drastically increase the risk of accidents from glass deflection.

Glaziers should always seek advice from a professional engineer on how to minimise the risk of glass deflection when using vacuum lifting equipment.

The following six tips can help guide you on what your vacuum lifter can safely handle:

1. Calculate the glass weight - to work out the weight of the glass in kilograms simply measure the glass panel area (length x width x thickness) and multiply these by 2,5 (the glass density).

2. Check the vacuum lifter's capacity - every vacuum lifter has a maximum lifting capacity. Check the manufacturer's specifications or user manual to find out the load capacity of your lifter to ensure it can support the weight of the panel.

3. Take extra care with the horizontal plane - move the glass up and down slowly and smoothly. Fast changes in speed or sudden stop/start movements can cause deflection.

4. Consider the panel shape - shape and surface area can also affect the lifting capacity. Larger pieces of glass may require more vacuum cups with "the extension arms" or larger suction pads to distribute the weight evenly and prevent glass deflection.

5. Use additional support - while vacuum lifters are powerful, using additional support such as extension arms for big glass panels, can help reduce glass deflection by providing additional support to the glass panel during lifting and moving.

6. Follow manufacturer guidelines - a final reminder to always follow the manufacturer guidelines and recommended procedures for safe lifting and handling. Each product may be slightly different and it is better to check first than find out too late.

Vacuum lifters are an extremely effective tool for handling glass, however, it is important to take steps to minimise the risks. Training workers in proper handling techniques, performing regular equipment maintenance and inspection with a professional service company like NFK Glazing & Industrial Suppliers, and following safe lifting and handling procedures will go a long way to keeping everybody safe around the glass.