Rigging Equipment for Material Handling (Construction)

Inspect, mark and stay within the load

• Rigging equipment is inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use. Each day before use, a competent person designated by the employer inspects the sling and all fastenings and attachments. Defective gear is removed from service.
• Rigging must have permanently affixed and legible identification markings showing the recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond it, and must not be used without those markings.
• Rigging not in use is removed from the immediate work area.
• Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps or other lifting accessories (for units such as modular panels and prefabricated structures) are marked with safe working loads and proof-tested to 125 percent of their rated load before use.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(a) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(6)

Safe sling use

These rules are listed under the wire rope paragraph of the standard, 1926.251(c). Following them with every type of sling is good practice.

• Do not shorten slings with knots, bolts or other makeshift devices.
• Do not kink sling legs.
• Balance loads in a basket hitch to prevent slippage.
• Pad or protect slings from sharp edges of the load.
• Keep hands and fingers out from between the sling and the load while it is being tightened.
• Shock loading is prohibited.
• Do not pull a sling from under a load that is resting on it.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(9) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(10) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(11) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(12)

Alloy steel chain slings

• Chain slings carry durable ID showing size, grade, rated capacity and manufacturer.
• Hooks, rings, links and other attachments used with the chain have a rated capacity at least equal to the chain.
• Job or shop hooks and makeshift fasteners formed from bolts or rods must not be used.
• When wear on any link exceeds Table H-1, the assembly is removed from service.
• A thorough periodic inspection is done on a regular basis, at intervals no greater than 12 months, and the employer records the most recent month of inspection for each chain sling.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(b) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(6)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(6)(ii)

Wire rope slings

• Cover or blunt protruding strand ends in splices.
• Do not secure wire rope with knots (except haul back lines on scrapers), and do not form eyes in slings with wire rope clips or knots.
• Remove wire rope if, in any length of eight diameters, visible broken wires exceed 10 percent of the total wires, or there are other signs of excessive wear, corrosion or defect.
• Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes (not in slings, bridles or bull wires), Table H-2 sets the number and spacing of clips, and for eye splices the U section goes on the dead end of the rope.
• Fiber core wire rope slings exposed to more than 200°F are permanently removed from service.
• Wire rope slings are marked with size, rated capacity for the hitches used and the angle it is based on, and the number of legs if more than one.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(c) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(4)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(4)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(5)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(14) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(16) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(5)

Fiber rope and synthetic web slings

Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings

• Splices follow the manufacturer's recommendations and minimum tuck counts; knots are not used in place of splices.
• Removed from service immediately for: abnormal wear; powdered fiber between strands; broken or cut fibers; variations in strand size or roundness; discoloration or rotting; or distorted hardware.

Synthetic web slings (nylon, polyester, polypropylene)

• Marked with manufacturer, rated capacities for the hitch, and material. Rated capacity is not exceeded.
• Stitching is the only method to attach end fittings and form eyes.
• Nylon is not used around acids or phenolics; polyester and polypropylene are not used around caustics; web slings with aluminum fittings are not used around caustics either.
• Removed immediately for: acid or caustic burns; melting or charring; snags, punctures, tears or cuts; broken or worn stitches; or distorted fittings.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(d) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e) · 29 CFR 1926.251(d)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.251(d)(4)(v) · 29 CFR 1926.251(d)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(6)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(6)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(6)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(8)

Shackles and hooks

• Shackles are not loaded beyond the rated capacity (working load limit) shown on their permanent markings.
• Hook safe working loads follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Hooks with no manufacturer recommendations are tested to twice the intended safe working load before first use, and the employer keeps a record of the test dates and results.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(f) · 29 CFR 1926.251(f)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.251(f)(2)

Common test questions

What must slings and rigging equipment have affixed to be used?

Permanently affixed, legible identification showing the rated capacity (and, for chain and wire rope slings, size and other data).

Rule: 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(i), (b)(1), (c)(16), (d)(7)

Practice these in the course