Material Handling: The Pre-Lift Inspection

Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! Every lift begins with a visual confirmation that the rigging is capable of the task. Many workers treat a slightly frayed nylon sling as "good enough for one more pull," but in rigging, there is no middle ground between safe and failed. Once a sling’s integrity is compromised, its rated capacity is no longer a fact—it’s a guess.

The "Big Three" Inspection Points

Regardless of the material—nylon, wire, or chain—there are non-negotiable reasons to remove rigging from service immediately.

• The Capacity Tag: This is the most common violation. If the manufacturer's tag is missing, painted over, or worn smooth so you cannot read the Work Load Limit (WLL), the sling is junk. OSHA prohibits "estimating" a sling's strength; if you can't read it, you can't use it.

• Nylon Web Slings: Look for "red core" yarns showing through the jacket. Any snags, punctures, or chemical burns mean the sling is out. Pay close attention to the "eye" of the sling where it meets the hook; this is where the most friction and "crushing" damage occurs.

• Wire Rope & Hardware: For wire rope, look for "bird-caging" (strands opening up) or kinking. For shackles, ensure the pin is the original pin designed for that specific shackle—never replace a shackle pin with a standard grade-5 or grade-8 bolt. Bolts are not designed to handle the shear forces of a rigging lift.

Why "Good Enough" Isn't

The safety factor for most rigging is 5:1, meaning it is designed to hold five times its rated capacity under perfect conditions. However, that margin is there to account for dynamic forces—like a load bouncing or a sudden stop—not to compensate for damaged equipment.

• UV Degradation: If a nylon sling feels brittle or looks "bleached" from the sun, the fibers have broken down at a molecular level. It may look structurally sound, but it can snap under a fraction of its rated load.

• Heat & Chemicals: Cords and slings used near welding or stored near fuel and chemicals must be scrutinized for melting or "stiff" spots that indicate internal damage.

Implementation: The Morning Rigging Audit

Before the first pick of the day:

1. Hand-over-Hand: Run your hand along the entire length of the sling. You will often feel an internal break or a "soft spot" before you see it.

2. Check the Pins: Ensure all shackle pins are fully seated. If a shackle is deformed or the "ears" are spread, destroy it immediately.

3. The "Scrap" Standard: If you find a bad sling, don't just toss it back in the gang box for someone else to find. Cut it in half so it cannot be used by mistake.

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-The Safety Man