Rigging Inspection and Safety 131

6 x 19 rope

A six-strand wire rope with 19 wires per strand. 6 x 19 rope is resistant to abrasion.

abrasion

Damage from repeated rubbing or scraping. Abrasion can cause a loss of strength.

alkali

A substance with a high pH value. Alkali solutions can damage certain synthetic materials, such as polyester.

American National Standards Institute

ANSI. A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates voluntary standards and systems in the United States. The American National Standards Institute provides guidelines that ensure workplace safety.

bearing point

The point of a chain link or lifting device that bears weight. Each bearing point of a chain link must be inspected for wear because that is where wear typically forms.

birdcaging

The protrusion of strands of wire rope in a shape that resembles a birdcage. Birdcaging is a form of permanent damage to wire ropes.

block

A pulley that consists of one or multiple sheaves encased in a shell with an attachment device to connect it to a load, a stationary object, or another attachment device. Blocks are linked by lines to form block and tackle systems.

caliper

A measuring instrument with two pairs of jaws on one end and a long beam containing a marked scale of unit divisions. Calipers have one pair of jaws to measure external features and another to measure internal features.

chafing

Damage to a rope caused by rubbing against itself or against other objects. Chafing is a type of abrasion, and it reduces the strength of the rope.

chains

A series of linked metal rings that are fitted together. Chains can lift heavy loads and are resistant to abrasion and corrosion.

charred

To be burned on the surface until black or discolored. Natural fiber rope can become charred when exposed to a flame.

cranes

A lifting device that moves loads vertically and horizontally. Cranes can be fixed or mobile and can be driven manually or powered.

deformation

Damage to a component or rigging equipment that causes it to become misshapen. Deformation of components can cause critical failure of rigging equipment.

deterioration

The weakening or diminishing of a material. Deterioration of components can cause critical failure of rigging equipment.

electric shock

The flow of electricity through the body. Electric shock can be fatal.

fall arrest systems

A form of fall protection that is designed to stop a falling employee. Fall arrest systems and equipment must comply with OSHA standards in order to safely arrest a fall and prevent injury to the employee.

fall protection systems

A collection of equipment used to restrain employees from fall hazards or protect them when a fall occurs. Fall protection systems include harnesses, restraints, and fall arrest systems.

figure-eight sling

A rope storage configuration made by winding the rope in the shape an eight and wrapping and tying the loose end around the middle. Figure-eight slings allow rope to be stored on hooks without unraveling, knotting, or creating a tripping hazard.

fumes

Potentially hazardous gas and particulate matter generated by various manufacturing operations and substances. Fumes can damage wire rope.

fused

To be melted together. Synthetic fiber rope can become fused when exposed to high temperatures

goggles

A type of tight-fitting eye protection that completely covers the eyes, eye sockets, and surrounding facial area. Goggles offer protection from impact, dust, chips, and splashes.

hard hats

A lightweight, protective head covering, usually made of plastic, used to protect the head from impacts, bumps, and electric shock. Hard hats have a shock-absorbing lining with a headband and straps that suspend the shell away from the skull and provide ventilation.

harnesses

A personal safety device composed of a series of straps connected around the legs, waist, and shoulders that is attached to a hoist. Harnesses are one component used within personal fall arrest systems.

high strands

A rope strand that has become loosened and lies higher on the rope than other strands. High strands do not take on the load that the rest of the rope does, which reduces the strength of the rope.

hoists

A device that lifts and lowers loads by means of a drum or lift-wheel around which rope or chain wraps. A hoist may be part of a crane.

hooks

A curved device that is designed to slip through a component used to lift a load. Hooks are usually used with chains, hoists, and slings.

International Organization for Standardization

ISO. A non-governmental organization based in Switzerland that develops and establishes standards, rules, and guidelines designed to ensure that products, processes, and services are fit for their purposes. The International Organization for Standardization publishes safety standards for a broad range of industries.

lubricant

A substance used to reduce friction between two surfaces in relative motion. Lubricant prevents wear and corrosion on metal wire and chains.

master link

A large link at the end of a chain or sling that connects it to other chains or slings or to lifting equipment. A master link often connects to a hoist or crane via a hook.

mechanical devices

A device that operates by reacting to and producing force and motion. Mechanical devices help machines perform work.

mildew

Mold or fungi that grow in moist materials. Mildew can grow in and damage natural fiber rope.

natural fiber rope

Rope composed of fibers that occur in nature. Natural fiber rope is fairly inexpensive and durable but susceptible to mold and mildew.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency dedicated to reducing injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets standards to maintain accident-free workplaces.

operational test

A test required by OSHA and performed prior to the initial use of a lifting device. The operational test ensures the main components and functions are safe and in compliance with OSHA standards.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency dedicated to injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. OSHA sets standards to maintain accident-free workplaces.

oxidation

A chemical reaction involving the addition of oxygen, the removal of hydrogen, or the removal of electrons from a material. Oxidation weakens and degrades a material.

personal protective equipment

PPE. Any clothing or device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment may include eye and ear protection, safety footwear, gloves, and other devices.

pins

A threaded or non-threaded fastener used to secure the position of two or more parts. Pins are inserted through holes to close the end of a shackle.

polyester

A plastic material that is often used to create fibers for synthetic rope. Polyester is resistant to chemicals but can melt in the presence of extreme heat.

polypropylene

A thermoplastic polymer used in some synthetic fiber ropes and web slings. Polypropylene is lightweight, resistant to most chemicals, and strong.

protective gloves

A type of hand and wrist covering that protects the skin from injury. Protective gloves are made from a variety of durable materials, including leather and canvas.

rated load test

A test required by OSHA and performed prior to the initial use of a lifting device to test the load rating. The rated load test is performed to understand a system's behavior under different load conditions.

reel

A cylindrical device around which rope is coiled for storage. Reels keep ropes from crimping, knotting, or sustaining crushing damage when used properly.

restraints

A form of fall protection designed to prevent an employee from reaching a fall hazard. Fall restraint methods and guidelines are included in OSHA standards.

rigging

The process of lifting and moving heavy loads with ropes, chains, and mechanical devices. Rigging can be dangerous if safety and inspection protocols are not followed.

ropes

A length of fibers or wires that are twisted together for strength. Ropes are used for pulling, connecting, and securing.

safety glasses

A type of eye protection that shields the eyes. Safety glasses offer protection from impact, dust, chips, splashes, and sometimes ultraviolet light.

safety-toed boots

Protective footwear with a reinforced toe area. Safety-toed boots prevent foot injuries by shielding the wearer's feet from falling objects.

seizing

A method of forming an extremely strong connection to a wire rope by wrapping and tightening a wire around the rope. Seizing prevents a rope from fraying or unraveling when cut.

shackles

A U-shaped piece of metal that is closed at the end with a pin or bolt. Shackles often use clevis and cotter pin assemblies.

shock loading

The abrupt change in tension of a lifting device caused by jerking or dropping a load. Shock loading can cause permanent damage to lifting devices.

singed

To be burned on the outside. Singed natural fiber rope is a sign that the rope has been exposed to fire and reduces the working load limit of the rope.

slings

A length of material that connects a load to a lifting device. Slings can be made of rope, chain, wire, metal mesh, or webbing.

socketing

The use of a device to create a temporary eye on the end of a rope. Socketing must be done correctly to prevent the device from slipping, which could damage the rope or cause the eye to fail.

solvent

A chemical used to dissolve another material. Solvents are often used to dissolve surface contaminants such as grease or oil.

strength

The ability of a material to resist forces that attempt to break or deform it. The strength of a rope or chain can be affected by damage caused by exceeding its working load limit, shock loading, abrasion, or other forms of damage.

sun rot

Damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. Sun rot causes synthetic materials to break down.

synthetic fiber rope

Rope composed of manufactured fibers. Synthetic fiber rope is stronger that natural fiber rope, but it tends to be deformed by heat sources.

synthetic fiber web slings

A sling made of a mesh composed of manufactured materials. Synthetic fiber web slings are suitable for lifting fragile loads.

tensile grade

A standardized measure of tensile strength for chains. Tensile grades 80 and above are used for overhead rigging.

throat opening

The open area near the point of a hook or shackle. The throat opening is one of the first places to show wear.

wire mesh slings

A sling made from a flat belt of metal wire mesh. Wire mesh slings are useful for loads that would damage rope slings.

wire rope

Rope made from strands of steel or iron. Wire rope is used for jobs that require the rope to be extremely strong and resistant to abrasion.

working load limit

The maximum weight a rope or chain can safely lift. The working load limit of a lifting device depends on its material and the amount of wear it has incurred.