A guide to safely transporting glass panes

THE COST of replacing broken panes can add up quickly. And delays while you wait for replacement products can be just as expensive. And it's not just your bank balance at risk – without the right tools for the job transporting heavy panes could lead to injuries.

Though it requires being exact, with the right process, you can get your glass panes where they need to be on time and undamaged. Here is how to transport glass panes safely and minimise the risks. 

How to store glass sheets

Knowing how to store glass correctly is key to avoiding breakages. Glass sheets are best stored at a 3 to 5-degree lean. If the angle is too great, you risk bowing. On the other hand, if the angle is too small, the panes will be unstable and may be pulled over. Racks should accommodate these requirements. Typically, storage racks use a 5-degree lean. This allows mechanical grabs to approach at a 3-degree angle. In addition to this specific angle range, racks should have mesh barriers around the outside to prevent the glass from falling.

How to warehouse glass panes

There is also a risk of accidents and breakage when moving glass around warehouses. This is commonly done with overhead travelling cranes or lift trucks. You can also use wheeled trolleys. However, using trolleys with two wheels in the middle and one at each end is common. According to HSE, this leads to accidents as these types of trolleys are less stable than trolleys with four or six wheels on either end. To minimise the risks, only use these trolleys if you are fully trained to do so and ensure glass panes are stacked evenly. 

How to pack glass panes

Glass panes are also at risk of being damaged when being transported. To protect them from scratches, use foam packing sheets. You can reduce the risk of breakage for smaller glass sheets by transporting them in cardboard "sandwiches". Though it may reduce your transport options, glass panes are best transported upright. Make sure you brace them to prevent them from falling.

Use glass vacuum lifters

When moving glass panes, you want to protect more than the glass. You also need to protect yourself from injury. This can be an issue when manually lifting heavy panes. Vacuum lifting tools eliminate much of this risk. For single-circuit lifters, you must secure panes with safety straps (as outlined in CE directives). Safety straps are not required with dual circuit glass lifters as the additional circuit provides extra support.

Each vacuum lifter can work with different dimensions and weights. (It's important to ensure you work within the limits of your vacuum lifter.) With just a few vacuum lifters from across the VIAVAC Glass Boy series, you can meet all your needs (handling panes between 250Kg and 1800Kg).

Following the guidance above, you can safely store, transport and fit glass panes. Avoid costly breakage and prevent needless heavy manual lifting-related injuries.