Set up compliant vacuum/suction-cup lifting procedures for glass handling under OSHA and ASME B30.20

Steps

1. Confirm there is no OSHA standard specific to portable hand-operated suction cups on osha.gov — such devices fall under OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) and general material handling provisions (29 CFR 1910.176), requiring safe rated-capacity use, maintenance, and training rather than a dedicated suction-cup regulation.
2. For crane-mounted or other below-the-hook vacuum lifting devices, confirm the applicable ASME B30.20 requirements (e.g., minimum design factor for the lifting device and periodic qualified-person inspection) apply in addition to OSHA's general crane/rigging provisions.
3. Verify each vacuum/suction lifting device on site is rated and labeled with its working load limit, and confirm the load (glass lite weight, including any wet/coated surface factor) does not exceed that rating.
4. Establish a documented inspection schedule (pre-use and periodic, per ASME B30.20 for below-the-hook devices) and retain records, since OSHA's General Duty Clause enforcement will look for documented safe-practice compliance rather than a specific glazing-only rule.
5. Train crews on wet/porous or textured glass surface limitations for suction devices, since vacuum cup rated capacity assumes a smooth, dry, non-porous surface and can be significantly reduced on coated, fritted, or acid-etched glass.