Rigging Safety

General Rigging safety requirements

Only select rigging equipment that is in good condition. All rigging equipment shall be inspected annually, 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.

Gatwood policy requires a minimum safety factor of 5 to be maintained for wire rope slings.

The following types of slings shall be rejected or destroyed

Nylon slings with:

• Abnormal wear
• Torn stitching
• Broken or cut fibers
• Discoloration or deterioration

Wire rope slings with:

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

Alloy steel chain slings with:

• Cracked, bent or elongated links or components
• Cracked hooks

Rigging a load

• Do the following when rigging a load:
• Determine the weight of the load, do not guess.
• Determine the proper size for slings and components
• Do not use manila rope for rigging.
• Make sure that shackle pins and shouldered eye bolts are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Make sure that ordinary (shoulderless) eye bolts 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. 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.
• Do not use slings, eye bolts, 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. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the spacing for each specific wire size.
• 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.

Crane Overloading

Crane shall not be loaded beyond their rated capacity for normal operations. Any crane or hoist suspected of having been overloaded shall be removed from service by locking open and tagging the main disconnect switch. Additionally, overloaded cranes shall be inspected, repaired, load tested, and approved for use before being returned to service.

Hand Signals

Signals to the operator shall be in accordance with the standard hand signals unless voice communications equipment (telephone, radio or equivalent) is used. Signals shall be discernible or audible at all times. Some special operations may require addition to or modification of the basis signals. For all such cases, these special signals shall be agreed upon and thoroughly understood by both the person giving the signals and the operator, and shall not be in conflict with the standard signals.

Inspection Maintenance and Testing

All tests and inspections shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.