Rigging Inspections Safety

Rigging Safety

Inspection of nylon slings is a responsibility for all employees. Supervisors, riggers, or any employee that handles nylon slings should be keeping their eyes and ears open for unsafe or hazardous practices on site. Spotting misuse or abuse of equipment can often save lives and should be a regular part of your routine. Any time that you become aware of these hazards make sure you report them to your supervisor.

The following safety tips are for anyone involved in rigging and/or the inspection of nylon slings.

TYPES OF INSPECTION

  • INITIAL INSPECTION: Before any new or repaired sling is placed in service, it shall be inspected to ensure that the correct sling is being used, as well as to determine that the sling meets the requirements of this specification.
  • FREQUENT INSPECTION: The person handling the sling each time the sling is used should make this inspection.
  • PERIODIC INSPECTION: This inspection shall be conducted by designated personnel.

Frequency of Inspection should be based on:

  • Frequency of sling use.
  • Severity of service conditions.
  • Experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar applications.
  • Periodic inspections should be conducted at least monthly.

Safe Sling Practices

  • Slings shall not be shortened with knots or bolts or other makeshift devices
  • Sling legs shall not be kinked
  • Shock loading is prohibited
  • A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.
  • Slings shall be padded & protected from the sharp edges of their loads.
  • Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling and its load while the sling is being tightened around the load.
  • Nylon web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of acids are present.
  • Polyester and polypropylene web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of acids are present.
  • Web slings with aluminum fittings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of caustics are present.
  • Synthetic web slings of polyester and nylon shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 180*F.  Polypropylene web slings shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 200*F.

A sling shall be removed from service if any defects such as the following are visible:

  • Acid or Alkali Burns
  • Melting, Charring, or Weld Spatter on Any Part of the Sling
  • Holes, Tears, Cuts, Snags or Embedded Particles
  • Broken or Worn Stitching in Load Bearing Splices
  • Excessive Abrasive Wear
  • Knots in Any Part of the Sling
  • Distortion and Excessive Pitting, Corrosion or Broken Fittings
  • Other apparent defects which cause doubt as to the strength of the sling
  • If Sling Rated Capacity or Sling Material Identification is Missing or Not Readable

REPAIR OF WEB SLINGS

Only a sling manufacturer shall repair slings.

All repaired slings shall be proof tested to two (2) times its newly assigned rated capacity, before being put back into service. Certification of proof test should be provided.

Temporary repairs of either webbing, fittings, or stitching shall not be permitted!