An ounce of PREVENTION is better than a pound of CURE

Presentation Outline
• Definitions
• Safe Rigging Practice
– Job Site Considerations
– Rigging Selection
– Riggers Responsibilities
• Safe Slinging Practice
– Safe Practices
– Inspection
– Replacement
– Safety Factors
– Wire Rope Construction
– Wire Rope Capacity
– Wire Rope Sling Capacity
– Choker adjustment
– Sling Damage
– Synthetic Sling
– Chain Sling
– Rigging Protection
 Definitions
• Balanced – load equally distributed on each side of the
point of support.
• Breaking strength – the approximate point, when under
maximum load, the load handling device fails.
 Definitions
• Balanced – load equally distributed on each side of the
point of support.
• Bridle sling – A sling composed of multiple legs gathered
in a fitting that goes over the lifting hook.
• Competent person – selected or assigned by the employer
as being qualified to perform a specific job.
• Factor of safety – ratio of breaking strength to the force to
be applied.
 Definitions
• Rigging – it is the handling or load or loads. It includes the
maneuvering, shifting, lifting and fastening of loads in
accordance to procedures and safe practices.
• Safe working load – the maximum allowable working load
established by the manufacturer.
• Sheave – a wheel with a grooved circumference over
which a rope is bent.
Safe Rigging Practices

Know How to Do It Right!

Then Do It Right!
 Job Site Considerations
• Handling, setting and erection of materials and equipment
is a hazardous occupation.
• Each operation presents its own peculiar problems and no
two jobs are alike.
• With proper consideration taken, each job can be
performed free of bodily harm to the employee and
without damage to the equipment and/or property.
 Job Site Considerations
• The person authorized and qualified to do rigging must
always pay close attention to details.
• One careless moment or act can result in serious injury or
death and tremendous property damage.
• Proper rigging is an art and should never be left to the
inexperienced. If you don’t know how to do it properly,
then don’t attempt it.
 Job Site Considerations
• Persons performing rigging tasks usually already have
two strikes against them when they start!
• Unfavorable Job conditions.
• Job Schedule to meet.
 Rigging Selection
• Very rarely does the average worker on a construction site
get the opportunity to actually pick the type of rigging
equipment required.
• They are normally purchased by a supervisor, the
Company Purchasing Department or it is sent out from
another project. This in itself can create serious problems.
 Rigging Selection
• The rigging capacity and the material to be lifted must
match. Using too small capacity rigging or components is
just asking for an accident to happen.
1. Who is responsible (competent/qualified) for the
rigging?
a. JSA/JHA shall be communicated
b. Specific Toolbox conducted
 Rigging Selection
2. Is the Equipment in Acceptable Condition?
a. Appropriate Type?
b. Proper Identification?
c. Properly Inspected?
 Rigging Selection
3. Are the Working Load Limits Adequate?
a. What is the weight of the load?
b. Where is the center of gravity?
c. What is the sling angle?
d. Will there be side loading?
e. Capacity of the gear?
 Rigging Selection
4. Will the Load be Under Control?
a. Tag Line available?
b. Is there any possibility of fouling?
c. Clear of Personnel?
 Rigging Selection
5. Are there any Unusual Loading or Environmental
Conditions?
a. Wind?
b. Temperature?
c. Surfaces? (Ice, Suction, Water)
d. Unstable Object(s)?
The Users Responsibilities
The Users Responsibilities

Crane
Operator

Rigger
 The Users Responsibilities
• Utilize Appropriate Rigging Gear Suitable For Overhead
Lifting.
• Utilize The Rigging Gear Within Industry Standards And
The Manufacturers Recommendations.
• Conduct Regular Inspection And Maintenance Of The
Rigging Gear.
BASIC SLING SAFETY
PRACTICES
ANSI B30.9
 Definitions
• Hitch “Basket” - loading with the sling passed under the
load and both ends on the hook or a single master link.
 Definitions
• Hitch “Choker” – loading with the sling passed through
one eye and suspended by the other.
• Use a bull dog clip to avoid slippage
 Definitions
• Hitch “Vertical” – loading with the load suspended
vertically on a single part or leg of the sling.
 Definitions
• Master link – a steel link or ring used to support all legs of
a chain or wire rope sling.

• Mousing – lashing between the neck and the tip of a hook

to prevent the load coming off. Ensure the hook is fitted
with latch.

• Rated capacity – the maximum allowable working load.

 Definitions
• Rigging – the connecting of a load to a source of power so
that it can be lifted and moved safely and predictably.
• Safe working load – the maximum allowable working load
established by the manufacturer.
• Sheave – a wheel with a grooved circumference over
which a rope is bent.
 Definitions
• Wire rope – consists of many individual wires laid into a
number of strands which are in turn, laid around a center
core.
 Safe Practices
1. Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.
2. Slings shall not be shortened with knots or bolts or other
makeshift devices.
 Safe Practices
3. Sling legs shall not be kinked.
4. Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacity.
5. Slings used in a Basket Hitch shall have the load balanced
to prevent slippage.
6. Slings shall be securely attached to the load.
 Safe Practices
7. Slings shall be padded or protected from the sharp edges
of their loads.
8. Suspended loads shall be kept free of obstructions.
9. All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be
lifted and of suspended loads.
 Safe Practices
10. Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling
and it’s load while the sling is being tightened
around the load.
11. Shock loading is prohibited.
12. A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the
load is resting on the sling.
 Inspection
• Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings
and attachments shall be inspected for damage and
defects by a competent person.
• Additional inspections shall be performed during sling
use as often as necessary to assure the safety of the
operation.
 Replacement
• Severe localized Abrasion or Scraping.
• Ten Randomly Distributed Broken Wires in one Rope
Lay, or Five Broken Wires in One Rope Strand in One
Rope Lay.
• Evidence of Heat Damage. (Cut with a Torch)
• Damage to the ferrules
• Sheave not properly aligned or snugly fit to the wire rope
eye
 Replacement

• Kinking, Crushing, Birdcaging, or Any Damage Resulting

in Distortion of the Rope Structure.
• Damaged, Distorted or Field Welded Hooks.
• Damaged or Worn End Attachments.
• If In Doubt, Don’t Use It!
 Safety Factors
• To guard against failure of a wire rope in service, the
actual load on the rope should only be a fraction of the
breaking strength.
• The safety factor includes reduced capacity of the rope
below it’s stated breaking strength due to wear, fatigue,
corrosion, abuse, and variations in size and quality.
Wire Rope Construction
Wire Rope Construction
Wire Rope Capacities
Wire Rope Capacities
Wire Rope Sling Capacities
Wire Rope Sling Choker
Adjustments
Types of Wire Rope Slings
Type of Wire Rope Sling Damage

Birdcage damage
Type of Wire Rope Sling Damage

Damage as a result of a kink in the wire rope

Synthetic Slings
 Synthetic Slings
• Sling capacity varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, no set
standard like wire rope has.
• User must look at Individual Sling Capacity Tag to determine Safe
Lifting Capacity of that sling.
• If the Tag is not readable or is missing, Do not use it!
• Inspect sling before each days use, and as often as necessary during
the day to assure safety of sling!
• Sharp edges can slice a sling in two without warning as the load is
tensioned. Use softeners or padding on corners
 Chain Slings
• Only Grade 8 or better ALLOY Chain can be used for overhead
lifting purposes! All chain is not rated the same!
• Chain must have a capacity tag attached to it.
• Chains will withstand more rough handling and abuse, but a chain
with the same rated lifting capacity of wire rope will be much larger
in diameter and heavier in weight.
• Chains must be inspected daily before use and as often as necessary
during use to assure safety.
• It is the riggers responsibility to do the inspections!
Chain Slings
Rigging Protection From
Cutting or Slipping

Softeners, padding or use of blocking..

 Protecting Rigging From
Damage or Environment
• Rigging components are expensive to buy and to replace! Use them
properly and store them properly!
• Keep wire rope slings lubricated and all rigging stored out of the
weather.
• Treat the rigging as though your life depended on it! Because it does
if it fails!
• Don’t use makeshift rigging or attempt to repair any rigging
components.
• Knots tied in rigging reduces the strength by 50% or more!
 How Would You Rig This?

Would it matter if the

tank were full or empty?
 Removing Jewelry and Wearing
Gloves!

Cause?
Not wearing gloves
and not taking off the
ring.
 Any Questions?

If the student hasn’t learned, the

instructor hasn’t taught!
THANK YOU