Peter J. Marcucci
Safety Contributor

A few months ago, I was standing at the water cooler talking shop with two of our installers. They had just returned from the installation of a black 3cm granite kitchen that consisted of two 26˝ x 100˝ runs, and an island that was almost the size of a large full slab.   
 
While listening to one of the them (I’ll call him installer X) explain some of the difficulties that they had in getting the island into place, I was struck by his awkward posture, red eyes, and the extreme look of pain on his face.

In the past I had seen that crooked posture and look of pain, but never to this degree. You see, installer X has been with us for thirty-one years and an installer for twenty-five of those years. He can do things with stone that others cannot...truly. He is one of the best of the best, a Top Gun if you will. He likes what he does, makes great money, and is a lifer in this industry and our company. He is a professional and has no plans to leave anytime soon, (we wouldn’t let him leave, even if he wanted too).

When the staff of the Slippery Rock Gazette asked me to do a write-up on a product that had the potential to help thousands of installers, I was very optimistic about what the end result might be, and I thought, could there be a product that would finally end the nagging back woes and anguish from the long-term lifting and physical transport of heavy slab countertops?

I then thought to myself, “What if?” What if twenty-five years ago, X and his partner were trained to use a belt, that when used in conjunction with slab carry clamps could make a hard job easier and safer? Could a product that takes the stress off of arms, shoulders, hands and backs, have the potential to add ten or fifteen more pain free years to installer X’s career?

To find out, we asked two long-time fabricator/installers to weigh in on the merits of a product called the SME Slab Belt, a 6˝ wide belt that uses double and triple stitched leather and is designed to be used with any brand of slab clamps. The participants are: C.J. Moore, a ten-year owner/operator from northern N.J., and Jim Brewer, an owner/operator from east Tennessee, who brings well over a decade of fabrication experience to the table.

Q) How many installers in your company tested the SME Slab Belts?              
A) CJ: A total of four installers were able to use the belts during testing.
 Jim: I do approximately 75% of our installs and testing was done by myself and one other man. 

Q) Many times installers face long walks through rough terrain and lots of stairs. In what situations were the slab belts used, and in which of those situations did they work the best?
A) CJ: The Slab Belts are the most effective when there is a long walk or going up steps and you have a countertop that is so large and heavy that you cannot physically hold it in your hands. That is the best application for the belts in my opinion.
Jim: I wish I would have had these for my crew years ago. It makes lifting and maneuvering stone much easier, especially going up or down stairs where the weight is transferred to the person below. I also have a closed panel truck with a pull out ramp, and the slab belts are an ideal way to get countertops from truck to ground level.

Q) Many products require time to get used to. Was there a learning curve associated with the slab belts and, if so, how long did it take for your men to get comfortable using them?
A) CJ: My men were fine with them when they first put them on. It wasn’t like they had to get  accustomed to them. It was only walking while using the belts that took some getting used to.
Jim: They were easy and straight-forward to use; just make sure you set the clamps at the correct level to clear all obstacles like stairs, thresholds, etc. That’s the biggest trick in getting the slab belts and stone clamps to work well. 

Q) What brand of slab clamps were used?
A) CJ: Abaco.
Jim: Stone Pro.

Q) Likes?
A) CJ: It’s a great idea because when you use the clamps and belts to carry a large piece, the belts take the pressure off of your upper body. The belts biggest advantage is when you are walking forward or going up stairs. 
Jim: I am glad to see that products are becoming available to help prevent injury to slab installers. I have seen many improvements in machines and lifters out there like carry clamps, and we now have SME slab belts.

Q) Dislikes?
A) CJ: You do have more control maneuvering through tight areas while using only clamps to carry a large piece. I think that on everyday installations, the belts are not necessary, but when you do have those really big countertops, they are going to come in handy. They are just not needed for everyday installations.
Jim: No complaints here.

Q) What stood out?
A) CJ: I think that the belts work very well. When you can use your legs and hips to lift and hold a large slab instead of your arms holding just clamps, it is definitely an advantage.
Jim: I think the comfort of having the weight off of your legs and having support on you back gives you more confidence while lifting and a more secure feeling while maneuvering. I’ve moved islands that were six and seven hundred pounds, and when you’re moving that much weight, it’s good to know that if you lose your footing, the counter top is not going to hit the floor.

Q) Do you feel that the construction and materials used in making the belts have created a durable and quality product?
A) CJ: As far as what I can see, they look like they are great quality. I like the idea and I like the way they are built.
Jim: Yes, they seem well-made, very sturdy.

Q) Do you feel that $139.95 per belt is a good value?
A) CJ: It’s OK.
Jim: What’s $139.95 worth compared to your health?

Q) The stone industry is a very close community; we all talk to each other. Would you recommend the belts to other installers?
A) CJ: I would recommend them, but I would tell them the same thing I’ve told you. When you need them, they really come in handy, but if not, there’s no point in using them.
Jim: Definitely. 

Jim, because of the amount of time that you’ve had to test the belts, I’d like to address this final question to only you.

Q) If a newly-hired installation crew were trained and made to use SME Slab Belts on their very first day of employment, is it possible that their pain-free working years could be extended?
A) Jim: In my opinion, I feel it is a product that can prevent injury, keep your workman’s comp insurance low, and keep your experienced installers out of the doctor’s office and on the job. Installation is a risky business. If you lose your lead installer and have to replace him with someone else, then that can be risky. Yes, I definitely feel that a man could add more pain-free working years to his career.

Peter Marcucci is a 25-year senior fabricator at European Marble Co., Inc. Sarasota, FL. Send any comments to pjmgsxr@aol.com.