How to transport traffic signs safely and efficiently

Often taken for granted, traffic signs are all around us, providing orientation and regulating traffic on our roads.

Vulnerable to damage, weather wear and out-of-date information, the installation and maintenance of traffic signs is no mean feat; an ongoing challenge for every highway maintenance dept, road maintenance depot and building yard.

Roads are fraught with danger, so it's critical that traffic sign installation and maintenance is carried out quickly and safely.

What are the special challenges in handling traffic signs?

Road signs, information boards and traffic signs are available in countless sizes and designs; round, square, triangular, mounted on posts, with and without frames, illuminated and so on. 

Thinking specifically about the transportation of large signs, made from metal with a water-repellent coating; they have sharp edges which are known to damage lifting slings. Add to this their sensitive weather-proof coating which can't be breached in transit.

Why do weather influences affect the handling of information boards?

Wind and wet weather add a significant challenge when handling traffic signs. Wet metal surfaces can cause slings to slip and create a safety risk. Large signs are susceptible to high winds and can behave unpredictably.

Why is traffic sign construction so dangerous?

Busy roads are dangerous. Work needs to be completed quickly to avoid exposing workers to danger for longer than absolutely necessary. The construction site is always cordoned off to offer workers the greatest possible level of safety - but despite this, traffic has a habit of rushing past, only a few centimeters away from workers.

The handling of traffic signs with sheet metal clamps

While load suspension equipment like round slings can be used to handle traffic signs, there's a risk of slipping or wobbling. 

Developed specifically to address the challenges faced when transporting or handling traffic signs, the safety plate clamp CGSMHT from Carl Stahl provides the ideal solution.

Our safety plate clamp is:

• Imprint-free: Its gripping jaws are coated with a PUR Schon coating - leaving no visible imprint behind
• Flexible: It can lift either horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs
• Large: The clamp has a large gripping area, large enough to accommodate road signs with or without frames
• Simple:  It's very easy to operate and is attached and detached very quickly without additional tools
• Powerful: The clamp's power is based on the 'force and effect' principle, with a maximum load capacity of 350kg*. Its contact pressure is always based on the weight of the load

*For large signs weighing more than 350kg, combine several clamps and connect them to a crane by chain.

FAQs: Handling traffic signs

For whom is the safety plate clamp CGSMHT suitable?

Road maintenance depots, highway maintenance depots and local authority building yards, commissioned with the installation and maintenance of traffic signs would benefit from the safety plate clamp from Carl Stahl.

Why don't you use other posting options for traffic signs?

Other handling options for traffic signs carry a risk because the material can become slippery in adverse weather conditions. They often have sharp edges so manual lifting is not advised. Prior to the safety plate clamp's development, round slings would have been used, however attaching them is time-consuming and transportation with a round sling carries a risk.

What is the safety plate clamp CGSHMT not suitable for?

The safety plate clamp CGSMHT was specifically developed for use with traffic signs. However the maximum capacity is a thickness of 2mm. It's not suitable for transporting steel girders, sheet metal or standard profiles.

Different loads also require different clamps. For the handling of sandwich panels, for example, sheet clamps with an adjustment function and exchangeable gripper jaws are suitable.