Operating Your Cutting Tools and Vacuum Lifters Safely
In the UK, there were approximately 47,000 workers in 2023-2024 who suffered from a non-fatal injury when working in the construction industry. This makes the construction industry one of the most common places to receive a workplace injury whether that be falling from a height or misusing equipment and machinery. At 4 Cladding Services, we pride ourselves in ensuring all of our tools and equipment are used as they are intended to avoid injuries. That’s why we have created this guide focusing on best practices for operating cutting tools and provide safety tips for vacuum lifters to reduce accidents.
Essential PPE Requirements to Meet Cutting Tool and Vacuum Lifters Safety Standards
When operating cutting tools or vacuum lifters, workers must wear a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure they are protected should any accidents happen. When it comes to operating cutting tools, workers must wear:
- Impact-resistant safety glasses with side shields
- Cut-resistant gloves that are appropriate for the cutting tool being used
- Steel-toed safety boots
- Hard hat
- Hearing protecting when using powered tools
- Respiratory protection when cutting materials that produce dust or fumes
For vacuum lifter operation, the typical required PPE includes:
- Steel-toed safety boots
- Hard hat
- High-visibility vest or clothing
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Safety glasses
- Additional PPE as specified by the site requirements or risk assessments
How to Operate Cutting Tools Meeting Safety Practices
Multiple checks must be performed before and during cutting tool operation. This ensures the cutting tool itself is suitable to be used and that the worker has everything they need to perform the job safely and efficiently.
Pre-operation checks should be performed before using any cutting tool. This includes:
- Inspect the tool for damage or wear.
- Ensure all guards and safety features are in place and functioning properly.
- Check that cutting blades or discs are sharp and properly secured.
- Verify power tools are properly grounded or battery charged.
- Ensure the work area is clean and free of obstacles.
Once these checks have been completed, the cutting tool can now be safely used. While operating the cutting equipment, these safety practices should be maintained:
- Keep both hands on the tool unless the design specifies otherwise.
- Maintain proper stance and balance.
- Never disable or remove safety guards.
- Keep cutting areas clear of other workers.
- Use appropriate cutting speeds and pressure.
- Stop immediately if the tool behaves unusually.
Vacuum Lifter Safety Standards
Just as for cutting tools, a pre-lift inspection should be conducted before operating any vacuum lifter. The typical steps you can expect to carry out include:
- Test the vacuum pump and gauge functionality.
- Inspect all seals and suction pads for damage.
- Check battery levels or power connections.
- Verify emergency release systems are operational.
- Ensure warning devices are functioning.
With the vacuum lifter inspected and ready to go, you can now operate the vacuum lifter safely by ensuing you:
- Never exceed the rated load capacity.
- Keep the load as close to the ground as possible.
- Maintain clear communication with spotters and other personnel.
- Monitor the vacuum pressure consistently.
- Never leave a suspended load unattended.
- Consider wind conditions for outdoor lifting.
Emergency Procedures
Even when following all of these steps, accidents can still happen. That’s why it is important to have measures in place when an emergency occurs to ensure the safety of operators and anyone else on site. If a cutting tool emergency should occur, you should:
- Immediately disconnect power or deactivate the tool.
- Apply first aid to the operator if appropriate and only if you are trained to do so.
- Contact the emergency services if needed.
- Secure the area to prevent further incidents.
- Report the incident following company procedures.
- Preserve the scene for internal investigation.
When it comes to vacuum lifter incidents, the emergency procedure may be more detailed as heavy and potentially fragile materials are generally used. If a vacuum lifter is to fail, you should:
- Clear the area beneath the load immediately.
- Activate the emergency release system if it is safe to do so.
- Use backup support systems if available.
- Contact the supervisor and safety personnel immediately.
- Document the incident.
- Review and revise any procedures if needed.
Workplace Safety Standards
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring worker protection in construction settings. The Act requires employers to ensure the safety of all equipment, including vacuum lifters and cutting tools, through regular maintenance and inspections. It mandates proper training for operators and establishes the employer’s duty of care to protect workers from risks.
The legislation also emphasises the importance of risk assessments, particularly for high-risk activities like using powered cutting tools or lifting heavy materials. Workers share some of this responsibility as they are required to follow safety procedures and report any equipment defects immediately.
Other cutting tool and vacuum lifter safety standards include:
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
How to Encourage Safety Practices Onsite
When ensuring the safety of all personnel onsite, management must demonstrate their commitment to safety by implementing comprehensive training, responding promptly to safety concerns and leading by example. This will encourage employee engagement with safety protocols and provide an open-door policy for any safety concerns they may come across.
Training Employees on Vacuum Lifter and Cutting Tools Safety Practices
- Initial Training: Comprehensive training programmes should cover everything to do with operating equipment including theoretical knowledge of equipment operation, hands-on practice under supervision, emergency response procedures and site-specific protocols.
- Ongoing Education: The skills and knowledge of cutting tool and vacuum lifter safety standards should be consistently tested through refresher training, updates on new equipment procedures and sharing lessons learned after any incidents.
- Creating a Lasting Impact: To ensure the training you provide is effective, we recommend breaking complex topics into more manageable segments, providing clear written procedures so employees have something to refer to and using real-world examples.
Operate Cutting Tools and Vacuum Lifters Safely with 4 Cladding Services
Safety in the construction industry is not just about complying with rules and regulations but also ensuring each member of your team returns home safely. By implementing comprehensive safety protocols for cutting tools and vacuum lifters, maintaining strict PPE requirements and providing extensive and consistent training, your construction site can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries related to equipment operation.
At 4 Cladding Services, we provide comprehensive training videos on all of our vacuum lifting equipment and cutting tools to ensure you know exactly how to operate your new equipment safely. Visit our online training portal today or contact our team for more information to put safety first in your workplace.
FAQs
How does a vacuum lifter work step by step?
A vacuum lifter works by using powerful vacuum pumps to create a strong suction force through specialised suction cups or pads that securely grip onto smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, or stone panels. Once the material is lifted, the vacuum is maintained through a sealed system with safety features like dual circuits and warning systems, allowing the operator to precisely manoeuvre and place the material using either manual controls or remote operation.
How safe is a vacuum lift?
Vacuum lifters are engineered with multiple safety features including dual-circuit vacuum systems, audio-visual warning indicators, and automatic re-pumping mechanisms that maintain secure suction even if power is lost. Modern vacuum lifters also undergo rigorous testing and certification to meet strict safety standards like EN 13155, with many models featuring safety mechanisms that prevent release of the load until it is safely placed, making them one of the most secure lifting methods in construction.
What are the safety precautions in cutting operations?
When performing cutting operations, essential safety precautions include wearing appropriate PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, and face shields), ensuring proper machine guarding, maintaining sharp blades, securing workpieces properly, and keeping the work area clean and well-lit.