Rigging equipment is subject to tremendous wear and tear throughout its work life. This essentially means that it needs be checked regularly for any defects so that its functional efficiency is not compromised in any way or form. If this equipment is not inspected on a regular basis, you won’t be able to identify damaged parts. This will not only result in a reduced performance but also compromise the safety of the work place and all the personnel working with this equipment.
While inspecting every piece of rigging equipment, you must keep in mind the defect that you need to look for. Different equipment showcases different kinds of defects and must be inspected accordingly. Let’s take a look at some these defects that rigging hardware can suffer from:
1. Wire Rope Sling
When you inspect this piece of hardware you must look out for broken wire rope sling; if you do come across such wires, check whether they fall under the permissible limits. For e.g. if you are inspecting single-part slings and if you come across 10 randomly distributed broken wires in a single rope lay, the sling must be taken out of service. Something else that you also need to check is any localized abrasion or scraping. If this is of a less severe nature, you can still use the sling; but if this abrasion is severe, the rope is dangerous to use. You must also keep a look out for cracked or damaged attachments that will impact the strength of the sling. The level of damage will determine whether the sling can be used or you must replace it with a new one.
2. Cable Clips
Through the course of their use, cable clips also suffer from wear and tear especially on the saddle. So, your inspection must cover the wear and tear suffered by the saddle. If it is severe, the clip must be replaced. You must also make sure that the clips don’t have any cracks and all of them are perfectly positioned and haven’t suffered any serious damage. Your inspection of cable clips must be as comprehensive as that of other rigging hardware. Do not take their safety for granted.
3. Shackles
It is the saddle and pin that make up a shackle that are subject to maximum pressure and therefore these are the first things you must check for wear and tear. In some cases, you will find that the pin is not seated properly, so it must be straightened and seated properly. It’s of paramount importance that you inspect shackles thoroughly because if you do not identify and correct any damage to them, you will be compromising on the efficiency of your lifting operations.
4. Hooks
This is another important piece of hardware whose inspection is very important. The fact that they are primarily in the line of fire during rigging applications means they can twist or develop cracks. If hooks are used in such conditions, they will compromise the safety and efficiency of the lifting operation. So, you need check hooks for cracks and twists and if you do come across them, change the hook.
Inspection should be top priority
All rigging equipment has a limited lifespan. If you do not inspect this hardware regularly, you won’t be able to identify which piece of equipment needs to be replaced and which is safe for use. When you inspect equipment, you will thoroughly examine it for damage and/or defect and assess whether a particular piece of equipment can be used in spite of damage or it needs to be replaced immediately. In some case identifying damage at the right time, will help you take corrective measures that will actually increase the lifespan of that hardware. You can apply the necessary lubrications or change the affected parts or take some other corrective actions that will improve its efficiency and useful life. This is the reason why you must prioritize inspection. It must be conducted regularly and by a competent authority. You can’t delegate the responsibility for inspection to somebody who has no experience. Inspection must be conducted by somebody who is well qualified to do the same. If it isn’t handled by somebody proficient in inspecting rigging hardware, there is a chance that the person will miss out on identifying some critical damage, which can affect the performance of the hardware.