Rigging Equipment for Material Handling

Your Safety is the #1 Priority

Safe working load Recommended safe load

Mark custom lifting accessories

Proof test to 125 percent

Rigging EquipmentDefine RiggingHooksShacklesEyebolts

Slings and Rigging EquipmentInspect before each use Additional inspections Remove from serviceRemove from work area

Sling and Rigging Inspection Daily, monthly and annual inspections - competent personDocument once every 12 months Maintain records of inspections

Slings general requirements Dont use knots

Prevent kinking

Balance loads

Slings general requirementsUse padded slings

Dont shock load slings

Watch your fingers

Inspect alloy steel chains based on Frequency of sling use

Severity of service conditions

Nature of lifts made

Experience from other slings

Wire rope Safe working load

Protruding ends of stands

Dont use knots

Visible broken wires

Natural or synthetic fiber rope slings Follow mfg. recommendations

Dont use knots

20 degrees below Zero to 180 degrees F

When to remove from service

Synthetic web slings Uniform in thickness, no visible defects.Visible color cords = dead slingIf you see red, the sling is dead.

Not good for service above 180 degrees F

Markings on tag

GeneralThe hoist or crane operator is responsible for the liftLifting of personnel with slings prohibitedNever go under a suspended loadUse tag linesMoving the load

RiggingOnly select rigging equipment that is in good condition.Defective equipment is to be removed from service and destroyed to prevent inadvertent reuse.The load capacity limits shall be stamped or affixed to all rigging components.

RiggingRemove from service for any of the following conditions:Nylon slings with:Abnormal wear.Torn stitching.Broken or cut fibers.Discoloration or deterioration. Alloy steel chain slings with:Cracked, bent, or elongated links or components.Cracked hooks.Shackles, eye bolts, turnbuckles, or other components that are damaged or deformed.

Rigging Wire rope slings with:Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or other distortions.Evidence of heat damage.Cracks, deformation, or worn end attachments.Six randomly broken wires in a single rope lay.Three broken wires in one strand of rope.Hooks opened more than 15% at the throat.Hooks twisted sideways more than 10 deg. from the plane of the unbent hook.

RiggingRigging a loadDetermine the weight of the load - do not guess.Determine the proper size for slings and components.Do not use manila rope for rigging.Ensure that shackle pins and shouldered eyebolts are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.Ensure that ordinary (shoulderless) eyebolts are threaded in at least 1.5 times the bolt diameter.Use safety hoist rings (swivel eyes) as a preferred substitute for eye bolts wherever possible.Pad sharp edges to protect slings.

RiggingDo not use slings, eyebolts, shackles, or hooks that have been cut, welded, or brazed.Install wire-rope clips with the base only on the live end and the U-bolt only on the dead end.Determine the center of gravity and balance the load before moving it.Initially lift the load only a few inches to test the rigging and balance.

**This program is to be used to ensure a safe working environment during lifting operations utilizing slings and other rigging equipment.This program applies to slings and rigging equipment used in conjunction with jib cranes, overhead shop hoists, boom trucks, truck hoists, and etc. to move heavy parts and equipment whether the lift is performed in the shop or field. This program does provide information on Alloy Steel Chain Slings, Wire Rope Slings, Metal Mesh Slings and Synthetic Slings.

There are no specific training requirements for slings, but awareness level training is incorporated with rigging equipment for material handling. Inspections of slings for damages or defects is done by a competent person, but the re-certification of repaired or reconditioned slings must be done by a qualified vendor.

**Do not load rigging equipment in excess of its recommended safe working load.Special custom design lifting equipment shall be marked to indicate the safe working loads and shall be proof tested (by a qualified vendor) to 125% of their rated loads, prior to use. No homemade lifting devices shall be used unless it has been proof tested (to 125%) by a qualified vendor.Do you have any special spreader bars that was built in your local shop to lift parts, equipment or engines that are common to the region has it been certified?

**Rigging refers to the hardware and equipment used to safely attach a load to a lifting device.Hooks shall be removed from service when the hook is opened more than 15% at the throat.Hooks shall be removed when it is bent more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook.Ensure shackles and eyebolts are installed in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.Ensure shoulderless eyebolts are threaded in at least 1.5 times the bolts diameter.Use safety hoist rings (I.e., swivel eyes) as preferred substitute for eyebolt whenever possible.Do not use eyebolts, shackles, or hooks that have been cut, welded or brazed.**Inspect and verify that each new, repaired or reconditioned piece of rigging equipment has been proof tested by a qualified vendor (look for the tag attached to the lifting device). If the rigging equipments certification tags are missing or destroyed then the rigging equipment must be removed from service until the equipment has been proof tested by a qualified vendor and tags replaced.Employees must visually inspect all rigging equipment prior to use and / or during use as conditions warrant.Damaged or defective rigging equipment must be immediately removed from service and tagged Out of Service.Slings, when not in use, must be removed from the immediate work area so as: 1) not to be a trip or swinging hazard, and 2) to protect the sling from jobsite hazards such as dirt, oil, grease, and not being walked or run over.

**Besides the pre-use or daily inspections, monthly and annual inspections by a competent person are required by Universal Compression. A thorough examination must be performed monthly and documented at least once every 12 months.A record shall be made of the annual inspection stating the number of slings inspected, who conducted the inspection, the date of inspection, and whether any slings were found in a state requiring removal of service. These inspections are to be conducted, documented and files maintained at the regional office.The criteria for removal from service is described later in the program.**Slings are not to be shortened with the use of knots, bolts or other makeshift devices.Sling legs that have been kinked must not be used.Slings in a basket hitch must have the loads balanced to prevent slippage.**Slings must be padded to protect form loads sharp edges.Slings shall not be altered in any manner.Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacity.Slings shall not be shock loaded.Hands and fingers shall not be placed between the sling and the load while the sling is being tightened.**In addition to other inspections required, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use must be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of (A) frequency of sling use; (B) severity of service conditions; ( C ) nature of lifts being made; (D) experienced gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances.

Welded alloy steel chain slings must have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and sling manufacturer.

All rigging accessories used in conjunction with alloy steel chains must have a rated capacity at least to that of the chain.

**When selecting wire rope slings for rigging, one must determine the safe working loads by either charts in OSHAs 29 CFR 1929.251 or referencing the manufacturers product information.To protect from sharp edges, always cover or blunt protruding ends of strands in splices on slings and bridles.Do not secure wire rope with knots.Wire rope must not be used if the total number of visible broken wires exceed 10% of the total number of wires, or the rope shows other signs of excessive wear, corrosion or defect. **All splices must meet the fiber ropes manufacturers recommendation.Do not use knots to shorten the slings.Natural or synthetic fiber rope slings may be used in a temperature range from minus 20 degrees to 180 degrees without decreasing the working load limit. Natural or synthetic fiber rope slings shall be immediately removed from service when the following conditions are present:abnormal wear,2) powdered fibers between fibers strands,3) broken or cut fibers,4) discoloration or rotting, and5) distortion of hardware in the sling.**Slings must be uniform in thickness and have no visible defects.If the colored cords inside a web sling can be seen, the sling must be taken out of service. Remember the saying, If you see red, the sling is dead.All synthetic webbing slings shall have a permanently attached tag identifying the name of the manufacturer, the rated capacity and the type of material the sling is made of. If the certification tags is missing, then the sling shall be removed from service.**The hoist or crane operator is responsible for the lift every aspect: rigging, people and equipment.Slings are designed for the lifting of materials only, not personnel.When maneuvering a suspended loada) Never put any part of your body or allow anybody else to be under a suspended load,b) always use tag lines, c) keep load as low to the ground as possible,d) Suspended loads are to be kept clear of all obstructions ande) be cautious of power lines.

** Remember that machinery foundations or angle-iron edges may not feel sharp to the touch but could cut into rigging when under several tons of load. Wood, tire rubber, or other pliable materials may be suitable for padding.