Inspection, Maintenance and Removal Criteria as per OSHA’s Standards must be adhered to ensure safe use. Any product will fail if not used correctly, overloaded or abused. Failure of a product may result in injury or possible death. Please ask for inspection, maintenance, removal criteria, safety/technical data or instructions for use if needed and you do not find them listed within this site or our catalog. Our sales staff would be happy to provide any information to you.
All wire ropes should be thoroughly inspected at regular intervals. The longer it has been in service or the more severe the service, the more thoroughly and frequently it should be inspected. Be sure to maintain records of each inspection.
Regular Inspection Of Wire Rope And Equipment Should Be Performed For Three Good Reasons:
• It reveals the rope’s condition and indicates the need for replacement
• It can indicate if you are using the most suitable type of rope
• It makes possible the discovery and correction of faults in equipment or operation that can cause costly accelerated rope wear
Inspections should be carried out by a person who has learned through special training or practical experience what to look for and who knows how to judge the importance of any abnormal conditions they may discover. It is the inspector’s responsibility to obtain and follow the proper inspection criteria for each application inspected.
REMOVAL CRITERIA
A major portion of any wire rope inspection is the detection of broken wires. The number and type of broken wires are an indication of the rope’s general condition and a benchmark for its replacement. Frequent inspections and written records help determine the rate at which wires are breaking. Replace the rope as mandated by OSHA’s standards.
Valley wire breaks – where the wire fractures between strands or a broken wire protrudes between strands – are treated differently than those that occur on the outer surface of the rope. When there is more than one valley break, replace the rope.
Broken wire removal criteria cited in many standards and specifications apply to wire ropes operating on steel sheaves and drums. For wire ropes operating on sheaves and drums made with material other than steel, please contact the sheave, drum or equipment manufacturer or a qualified person for proper broken wire removal criteria.
Broken wires is not the only removal criteria. Please refer to OSHA’s standards for complete removal criteria of wire rope, wire rope slings and rigging related hardware.
MINIMUM SLING BODY LENGTH
This is the length of wire rope between splices, sleeves or fittings. Generally the minimum body length is equal to ten (10) times the sling body diameter. This allows approximately one and one half (1-1/2) rope lays between splices. For Multi-part slings the minimum body length between splices is equal to forty (40) times the component rope diameter.
LIFTING ANGLE AFFECTS
Rated Capacities for multi-leg bridles, whether used as chokers or with hooks or other end fittings, is affected by rigging angles – the same as straight slings in basket hitches. Note reduction in rated capacity as legs spread to wider lifting connections (angle).
NYLON SLINGS - TECHNICAL DATA
CAUTION! DO NOT EXCEED RATED CAPACITIES!
RATED CAPACITY
The rated capacities of the nylon slings in this catalog are given in pounds. Refer to the maximum recommended weight for which the sling is to be used in one of the standard types of lifts.
EFFECT OF ANGLE
When slings are used at an angle (ie. two slings or one sling in a basket attached to only one crane hook), sling capacity is reduced. How much it is reduced depends on the degree of the angle. You can determine whether a sling will be rated high enough when you know the angle between the sling leg and the vertical. Once you know this angle, multiply the sling’s rating by the appropriate factor in the table. This will give you the sling’s reduced rating.
SLING CAPACITY DECREASES AS THE ANGLE INCREASES
A sling capable of lifting 1000 lbs. in a 0° vertical basket hitch can only lift 866 lbs. at a 30° angle, 707 lbs. at a 45° angle and 500 lbs. at a 60° angle.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND PROPER CARE OF ROPE
NEVER EXCEED THE WORK LOAD LIMIT OF ROPE
Use Work Load Limits as guidelines only. Work Load Limit may have to be reduced when life, limb or valuable property are at risk, or other than new rope is used. When using multiple rope slings, the Work Load Limit of each leg will have to be reduced considerably. Consult industry recommendations for information. Work Load Limit does not apply if rope has been subjected to severe dynamic loading, which may not be visible.
AVOID OVERHEATING
Exposure to high temperatures will cause ropes to lose strength rapidly. Even temperatures as low as 150°F (66°C) can reduce the strength of some ropes by 50%. When using synthetic rope, be careful to avoid excessive friction which heats, melts and fuses the outer fibers of the rope.
KEEP OUT FROM UNDER A RAISED LOAD
Never stand in the line of rope under strain! If rope breaks, it will recoil with considerable force.
AVOID SHOCK LOADS
Rope that is strong enough to withstand a steady pull can be broken with a sudden jerk. Be aware of all possible dynamic loading situations. Avoid them when possible and allow for strong enough rope when they cannot be avoided.
DESTROY, RATHER THAN DISCARD, ROPE TO BE RETIRED
It might be used again by someone not aware of the hazard of the defect. This is best achieved by cutting it up into short pieces.
AVOID ABRASION AND UNNECESSARY WEAR
Outer fibers as well as inner fibers contribute to a rope’s strength. When outer fibers are worn by chafing or dragging over splintered, buried, rough or gritty surfaces, the rope is worn and weakened.
AVOID SUSTAINED LOADS
Natural fiber ropes such as Manila and Sisal have less ability to take sustained loads than synthetic fiber ropes such as nylon or polypropylene. Never exceed the Work Load Limit and do not subject fiber rope to sustained loads.
AVOID RUST
Rust can cause rapid loss of strength, sometimes in as short a time as one to two weeks.
KEEP ROPE AWAY FROM CHEMICALS
Strong acids, alkalis and solvents can damage any rope. Natural fiber rope is extremely vulnerable to all chemicals and solvents.
AVOID THE USE OF SWIVELS IN ROPES UNDER LOAD
A loss of turn will cause permanent damage to the rope.
NEVER USE A NYLON LINE WHICH HAS A HIGH STRETCH FACTOR IN COMBINATION WITH ANOTHER ROPE OF LOW STRETCH
The nylon line will stretch and not carry its proportionate share of the load, thus putting extra strain on the other lines.
STORE ROPE PROPERLY
Rope is best stored in a dry, unheated place where air circulates freely, off the floor, and away from direct sunlight and other contact with the elements. Keep in mind that synthetic ropes will deteriorate in direct sunlight due to the exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
KEEP ROPE CLEAN
Dirt on the surface of rope can become embedded inside and act as an abrasive on fibers.
EYE BOLT WARNING
Loads may slip or fall if proper eye bolt assembly and lifting procedures are not used. A falling load can seriously injure or kill. Ask your supplier for safety information when in doubt. DO NOT USE EYE BOLTS WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FIRST.
WIRE ROPE SOCKET WARNING
While attaching spelter sockets to wire rope it is extremely important to follow recommended procedures, such as outlined by the American Iron & Steel Institute. Cast steel open sockets for 2-1/2” - 4” available. Cast steel closed sockets for 2-1/2” through 4” available. Measurement: Center line of Pin of Open Socket to Bearing of Closed Socket. Spelter Socket terminations have an efficiency rating of 100%, based on the catalog strength of wire rope (6x7, 6x19, 6x37, IPS, EIPS, EEIPS, RRL, FC or IWRC).
RATCHET PULLER AND HOIST WARNINGS
• Never apply loads greater than the specified tonnage.
• Keep the load hooks in line with the chain.
• Do not use the chain with a twist or kink.
• Do not use units where parts are deformed by overload operations.
• Do not use in ways that would produce shock pressures.
• Do not try to lift or suspend load with two units.
• Do not apply cheater bars or other objects that would tamper with the integrity of the original unit.