1. Stanchions
1.1. The sawn plates, which are still on transport trolley and within the accommodation of the loom, shall have side protection – protection known as L or Stanchion – with the following minimum requirements in order to prevent the fall:
a) the equipments shall be calculated and constructed so as to provide the necessary strength and safety and kept in perfect working condition;
b) The name of the manufacturer, responsible technician and the maximum load allowed shall be displayed visibly on all the equipments;
c) L (Stanchion) fittings shall have a locking system to prevent accidental removal.
2. Block trolley and transport trolley
2.1. The use of block trolleys and transport trolleys shall meet the following minimum requirements:
a) The equipments shall be calculated and constructed so as to provide the necessary strength and safety and kept in perfect working condition according to the manufacturer’s instructions;
b) The name of the manufacturer, responsible technician and the maximum load allowed shall be displayed visibly on all the equipments;
c) Both the transport trolley and block trolley shall have protections for the parts which may pose risk to the operator, paying special attention to the items:
– conditions of steel cables;
– hooks and their protections;
– protection of sheaves;
– protection of wheels;
– protection of pulleys and belts;
– protection of electrical parts.
d) The operator and the personnel who move the material shall receive adequate training specific to the operation;
e) In addition to training, informations and instructions, the workers shall receive guidance for a period of time under the supervision of another experienced worker or under direct supervision with duration of minimum thirty days;
f) New trainings shall be conducted to use machines, equipments or processes different from those to which the operator was accustomed in order to qualify the operator to use them;
g) After withdrawing the block trolley from the loom, side protections shall remain until all plates are withdrawn;
h) No work can be performed while there is someone between plates;
i) Procedures shall be adopted to prevent the withdrawal of plates from a single side of the transport trolley in order to maintain the stability;
j) Block trolley and transport trolley shall be operated by at least two people trained according to paragraph “d”.
3. Storage Yard.
3.1. In the courtyards where the plates are moved and stored, the following criteria shall be met:
a) The floor shall be non-slip, smooth and horizontal, facilitating the movement of the people and materials;
b) The floor shall be kept in proper condition so that the company shall ensure that it has sufficient strength to withstand the usual loads;
c) It is recommended that the storage area of plates is weather protected.
3.2. The companies which are impeded to meet the requirements in item 3.1 shall have alternative project with technical justifications of impossibility in addition to ancillary measures to ensure safety and comfort in handling and storing activities of the plates.
4. Racks.
4.1. The racks shall be installed on foundations constructed from durable and waterproof materials to ensure perfect conditions for stability and position, meeting the following requirements:
a) Racks shall ensure adequate support for the plates and have a minimum height of one meter and fifty centimeters;
b) Vertical racks shall be composed of sections with a maximum width of twenty-two centimeters;
c) Sticks of the vertical racks shall have a thickness enduring the usual loads and be welded, ensuring stability and preventing the storage of more than ten plates in each section;
d) Each vertical rack shall a maximum length of six meters with reinforcements at their ends;
e) There shall be a space, indicated by suitable signs, of minimum eight centimeters between vertical racks;
f) The distance between racks and walls of the storage site shall be at least fifty centimeters;
g) The racks shall be kept in perfect condition;
h) The name of the manufacturer, responsible technician and the maximum load allowed shall be displayed visibly on all the racks;
i) The area for movement of people shall be demarcated and have a minimum width of one meter and twenty centimeters;
j) The space for loading and unloading materials shall have a width of at least one and a half width of the main vehicle used and be properly demarcated;
l) Triangular racks shall be kept in adequate condition, proved by inspection conducted by a legally qualified professional;
m) Withdrawing and placing plates on racks shall always be performed by at least one person at each end of the plate.
4.2. Adoption of a criteria for separating plates in the storage sites, such as color, material type or other aspects, is recommended in order to facilitate the movement of similar plates.
4.3. It is recommended that the companies keep the designs, calculations and technical specifications of the racks in the storage sites.
5. Moving plates with the use of suctions cups.
5.1. The following requirements shall be met while moving plates with the use of suction cups:
a) The compressor power shall meet the suction pressure to sustain the plates while moving them;
b) The suction cups shall be equipped with easily accessible safety valves complying with the ergonomic aspects;
c) The hoses and connections shall have resistance compatible with work demand;
d) The suction cups shall be equipped with auxiliary equipment that ensures the containment of hose avoiding rebounding in case of accidental detachment;
e) The hoses shall be protected, firmly attached at both ends, and preferably away from circulation routes;
f) The manufacturer of the equipment shall provide operating manual in Portuguese, aiming the training of operators;
g) The rubbers of the suction cups shall be periodically maintained and immediately replaced in case of wears or defects rendering them unfit for use;
h) The employer shall allocate a specific area for handling the plates with the use of suction cups so that the work can be performed safely. This area shall have adequate signs both vertically and on the floor;
i) Safety procedures shall be adopted to ensure the safe handling of plates in the absence of electricity.
5.2. It is recommended that vacuum equipments have visual and audible alarms that indicate the pressure is off the safety limits established.
6. Moving plates with steel cables, straps, belts and chains
6.1. The carrying capacity of steel cables, straps, belts and chains and load capacity of hoisting equipment shall be taken into account, and be met technical specifications and manufacturer’s recommendations.
6.2. Chains and steel cables shall be purchased exclusively from manufacturers or authorized representatives. The purchase of scrap equipment is prohibited, especially from port activities.
6.3. The employer shall keep the invoice for purchase of steel cables and chains in the establishment at the disposal of inspectorate.
6.4. The name of the manufacturer, responsible technician and the maximum load allowed shall be displayed visibly on all the equipments;
6.5. The steel cables, chains, straps and other means of suspension and traction, and their connections shall be installed, maintained and inspected according to the technical specifications.
6.6. The employer shall keep the records of inspection and maintenance of steel cables, straps, chains and other means of suspension in a file.
6.7. The employer shall allocate a specific area with appropriate signage, vertically and on the floor, for moving the plates with the use of straps, chains, steel cables and other means of suspension.
7. Moving plates with grippers.
7.1. Moving plates with the use of grippers can be performed only by picking up one plate at a time and by at least three workers, while meeting the following minimum requirements:
a) The carrying capacity of supporting elements and the load capacity of the overhead crane or any other type of hoisting equipments shall not be exceeded and meet the technical specifications and manufacturer’s recommendations;
b) The name of the manufacturer, responsible technician and the maximum load allowed shall be displayed visibly on all the equipments;
c) The employer shall allocate a specific area for handling the plates so that the work can be performed safely. This area shall have adequate signs both vertically and on the floor;
7.2. The companies shall have a proper book for recording the inspection and maintenance of the elements used in handling the plates with grippers.
7.2.1. The inspections and maintenance shall be performed by a legally qualified professional and be notified to the employer.
8. General Provisions
8.1. Measures shall be taken to prevent the blade holding frames falling on the workers during the activities of preparation and withdrawal of sawn plates from looms.
8.2. The information aiming to instruct, qualify and train the workers shall be written in understandable language and adopt the methodologies, techniques and materials that facilitate the learning preserve the safety and health.
8.3. ABNT and other nationally accepted standards shall be met in manufacturing the equipments used in handling and storing the plates, where applicable.
8.4. It is forbidden to store the plates on walls, columns, metal structures or locations other than the racks specified in this Technical Rules of Procedures.
9. Glossary:
Block trolley: Trolley that is under the loom with the block.
Transport trolley: Trolley that takes the block trolley to the loom.
Triangular rack: Metallic piece in triangular shape with a base of support used for storing plates of marble, granite and other rocks.
Vertical rack: Metallic piece in shape of a vertically positioned comb supported on a metal base, used for storing plates of marble, granite and other rocks.
Stanchion: Simple L-shaped metallic piece (for very old block trolleys), with one side fitted on the base of block trolley, which is designed to ensure the stability of the plates during and after the sawing and while the plates are on the trolley.
Sticks: Metallic rods used in vertical racks to support the plates of marble, granite and other rocks.
Plates of marble or granite: Product of block sawing process, with measures varying from three meters to one meter fifty centimeters and from two to three centimeters of thickness.
Loom: Robust equipment composed of a framework of steel blades, which is supported over the block stone; when activated, make a movement back and forth sawing the stone from top to bottom. The gradual use of sand, steel grit and water is essential so that the blades can cut the block stone.
Braces: Equipment used for moving various loads.
Suction cups: Vacuum equipment used when handling plates of marble, granite and other rocks.
