wire rope failure osha for sale

Scope. This section applies to slings used in conjunction with other material handling equipment for the movement of material by hoisting, in employments covered by this part. The types of slings covered are those made from alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope (conventional three strand construction), and synthetic web (nylon, polyester, and polypropylene).

Cable laid endless sling-mechanical joint is a wire rope sling made endless by joining the ends of a single length of cable laid rope with one or more metallic fittings.

Cable laid grommet-hand tucked is an endless wire rope sling made from one length of rope wrapped six times around a core formed by hand tucking the ends of the rope inside the six wraps.

Cable laid rope sling-mechanical joint is a wire rope sling made from a cable laid rope with eyes fabricated by pressing or swaging one or more metal sleeves over the rope junction.

Master link or gathering ring is a forged or welded steel link used to support all members (legs) of an alloy steel chain sling or wire rope sling. (See Fig. N-184-3.)

Diagram indicates Forms of Hitch and Kind of Sling. Eye&Eye Vertical Hitch. Eye&Eye Choker Hitch. Eye&Eye Basket Hitch (Alterates have identical load rations). Endless Vertical Hitch. Endless Choker Hitch. Endless Basket Hitch (Alternateve have identical load ratings). Notes: Angles 5 deg or less from the veritcal may be considered vertical angles. For slings with legs more than 5 deg off vertical, the actual angle as shown in Figure N-184-5 must be considered. Explanation of Symbols: Minimum Diameter of Curvature. Represents a contact surface which shall have a diameter of curvature at least double the diameter of the rope from which the sling is made. Represents a contact surface which shall have a diameter of curvature at least 8 times the diameter of the rope. Represents a load in a choker hitch and illustrates the rotary force on the load and/or the slippage of the rope in contact with the load. Diameter of curvature of load surface shall be at least double the diameter of the rope.

Strand laid endless sling-mechanical joint is a wire rope sling made endless from one length of rope with the ends joined by one or more metallic fittings.

Strand laid grommet-hand tucked is an endless wire rope sling made from one length of strand wrapped six times around a core formed by hand tucking the ends of the strand inside the six wraps.

Strand laid rope is a wire rope made with strands (usually six or eight) wrapped around a fiber core, wire strand core, or independent wire rope core (IWRC).

Sling use. Employers must use only wire-rope slings that have permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer, and that indicate the recommended safe working load for the type(s) of hitch(es) used, the angle upon which it is based, and the number of legs if more than one.

Cable laid and 6 × 19 and 6 × 37 slings shall have a minimum clear length of wire rope 10 times the component rope diameter between splices, sleeves or end fittings.

Safe operating temperatures. Fiber core wire rope slings of all grades shall be permanently removed from service if they are exposed to temperatures in excess of 200 °F. When nonfiber core wire rope slings of any grade are used at temperatures above 400 °F or below minus 60 °F, recommendations of the sling manufacturer regarding use at that temperature shall be followed.

Sling use. Employers must use natural and synthetic fiber-rope slings that have permanently affixed and legible identification markings stating the rated capacity for the type(s) of hitch(es) used and the angle upon which it is based, type of fiber material, and the number of legs if more than one.

Safe operating temperatures. Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings, except for wet frozen slings, may be used in a temperature range from minus 20 °F to plus 180 °F without decreasing the working load limit. For operations outside this temperature range and for wet frozen slings, the sling manufacturer"s recommendations shall be followed.

Splicing. Spliced fiber rope slings shall not be used unless they have been spliced in accordance with the following minimum requirements and in accordance with any additional recommendations of the manufacturer:

In manila rope, eye splices shall consist of at least three full tucks, and short splices shall consist of at least six full tucks, three on each side of the splice center line.

In synthetic fiber rope, eye splices shall consist of at least four full tucks, and short splices shall consist of at least eight full tucks, four on each side of the center line.

Strand end tails shall not be trimmed flush with the surface of the rope immediately adjacent to the full tucks. This applies to all types of fiber rope and both eye and short splices. For fiber rope under one inch in diameter, the tail shall project at least six rope diameters beyond the last full tuck. For fiber rope one inch in diameter and larger, the tail shall project at least six inches beyond the last full tuck. Where a projecting tail interferes with the use of the sling, the tail shall be tapered and spliced into the body of the rope using at least two additional tucks (which will require a tail length of approximately six rope diameters beyond the last full tuck).

Removal from service. Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:

A competent person must begin a visual inspection prior to each shift the equipment is used, which must be completed before or during that shift. The inspection must consist of observation of wire ropes (running and standing) that are likely to be in use during the shift for apparent deficiencies, including those listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Untwisting (opening) of wire rope or booming down is not required as part of this inspection.

Significant distortion of the wire rope structure such as kinking, crushing, unstranding, birdcaging, signs of core failure or steel core protrusion between the outer strands.

In running wire ropes: Six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay, where a rope lay is the length along the rope in which one strand makes a complete revolution around the rope.

In rotation resistant ropes: Two randomly distributed broken wires in six rope diameters or four randomly distributed broken wires in 30 rope diameters.

In pendants or standing wire ropes: More than two broken wires in one rope lay located in rope beyond end connections and/or more than one broken wire in a rope lay located at an end connection.

If a deficiency in Category I (see paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section) is identified, an immediate determination must be made by the competent person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a safety hazard. If the deficiency is determined to constitute a safety hazard, operations involving use of the wire rope in question must be prohibited until:

If the deficiency is localized, the problem is corrected by severing the wire rope in two; the undamaged portion may continue to be used. Joining lengths of wire rope by splicing is prohibited. If a rope is shortened under this paragraph, the employer must ensure that the drum will still have two wraps of wire when the load and/or boom is in its lowest position.

If a deficiency in Category II (see paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section) is identified, operations involving use of the wire rope in question must be prohibited until:

The employer complies with the wire rope manufacturer"s established criterion for removal from service or a different criterion that the wire rope manufacturer has approved in writing for that specific wire rope (see § 1926.1417),

If the deficiency is localized, the problem is corrected by severing the wire rope in two; the undamaged portion may continue to be used. Joining lengths of wire rope by splicing is prohibited. If a rope is shortened under this paragraph, the employer must ensure that the drum will still have two wraps of wire when the load and/or boom is in its lowest position.

If the deficiency (other than power line contact) is localized, the problem is corrected by severing the wire rope in two; the undamaged portion may continue to be used. Joining lengths of wire rope by splicing is prohibited. Repair of wire rope that contacted an energized power line is also prohibited. If a rope is shortened under this paragraph, the employer must ensure that the drum will still have two wraps of wire when the load and/or boom is in its lowest position.

Where a wire rope is required to be removed from service under this section, either the equipment (as a whole) or the hoist with that wire rope must be tagged-out, in accordance with § 1926.1417(f)(1), until the wire rope is repaired or replaced.

Wire ropes on equipment must not be used until an inspection under this paragraph demonstrates that no corrective action under paragraph (a)(4) of this section is required.

At least every 12 months, wire ropes in use on equipment must be inspected by a qualified person in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section (shift inspection).

The inspection must be complete and thorough, covering the surface of the entire length of the wire ropes, with particular attention given to all of the following:

Exception: In the event an inspection under paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not feasible due to existing set-up and configuration of the equipment (such as where an assist crane is needed) or due to site conditions (such as a dense urban setting), such inspections must be conducted as soon as it becomes feasible, but no longer than an additional 6 months for running ropes and, for standing ropes, at the time of disassembly.

If the deficiency is localized, the problem is corrected by severing the wire rope in two; the undamaged portion may continue to be used. Joining lengths of wire rope by splicing is prohibited. If a rope is shortened under this paragraph, the employer must ensure that the drum will still have two wraps of wire when the load and/or boom is in its lowest position.

Original equipment wire rope and replacement wire rope must be selected and installed in accordance with the requirements of this section. Selection of replacement wire rope must be in accordance with the recommendations of the wire rope manufacturer, the equipment manufacturer, or a qualified person.

Wire rope design criteria: Wire rope (other than rotation resistant rope) must comply with either Option (1) or Option (2) of this section, as follows:

Option (1). Wire rope must comply with section 5-1.7.1 of ASME B30.5-2004 (incorporated by reference, see § 1926.6) except that section"s paragraph (c) must not apply.

Option (2). Wire rope must be designed to have, in relation to the equipment"s rated capacity, a sufficient minimum breaking force and design factor so that compliance with the applicable inspection provisions in § 1926.1413 will be an effective means of preventing sudden rope failure.

Type I rotation resistant wire rope ("Type I"). Type I rotation resistant rope is stranded rope constructed to have little or no tendency to rotate or, if guided, transmits little or no torque. It has at least 15 outer strands and comprises an assembly of at least three layers of strands laid helically over a center in two operations. The direction of lay of the outer strands is opposite to that of the underlying layer.

Type II rotation resistant wire rope ("Type II"). Type II rotation resistant rope is stranded rope constructed to have significant resistance to rotation. It has at least 10 outer strands and comprises an assembly of two or more layers of strands laid helically over a center in two or three operations. The direction of lay of the outer strands is opposite to that of the underlying layer.

Type III rotation resistant wire rope ("Type III"). Type III rotation resistant rope is stranded rope constructed to have limited resistance to rotation. It has no more than nine outer strands, and comprises an assembly of two layers of strands laid helically over a center in two operations. The direction of lay of the outer strands is opposite to that of the underlying layer.

Type I must have an operating design factor of no less than 5, except where the wire rope manufacturer and the equipment manufacturer approves the design factor, in writing.

A qualified person must inspect the rope in accordance with § 1926.1413(a). The rope must be used only if the qualified person determines that there are no deficiencies constituting a hazard. In making this determination, more than one broken wire in any one rope lay must be considered a hazard.

Each lift made under § 1926.1414(e)(3) must be recorded in the monthly and annual inspection documents. Such prior uses must be considered by the qualified person in determining whether to use the rope again.

Rotation resistant ropes may be used as boom hoist reeving when load hoists are used as boom hoists for attachments such as luffing attachments or boom and mast attachment systems. Under these conditions, all of the following requirements must be met:

The requirements in ASME B30.5-2004 sections 5-1.3.2(a), (a)(2) through (a)(4), (b) and (d) (incorporated by reference, see § 1926.6) except that the minimum pitch diameter for sheaves used in multiple rope reeving is 18 times the nominal diameter of the rope used (instead of the value of 16 specified in section 5-1.3.2(d)).

The operating design factor for these ropes must be the total minimum breaking force of all parts of rope in the system divided by the load imposed on the rope system when supporting the static weights of the structure and the load within the equipment"s rated capacity.

Wire rope clips used in conjunction with wedge sockets must be attached to the unloaded dead end of the rope only, except that the use of devices specifically designed for dead-ending rope in a wedge socket is permitted.

Prior to cutting a wire rope, seizings must be placed on each side of the point to be cut. The length and number of seizings must be in accordance with the wire rope manufacturer"s instructions.

In order to maintain your safety and the safety of others, your equipment should be routinely inspected to assure that it is safe for use. This includes wire rope, slings, hardware, and hoists.

At Coca Sales, we take your rigging and subject it to a thorough inspection check list, checking for any major damage or flaws, to make sure it is safe for continued use. We follow OSHA and ANSI guidelines for removal criteria. All items that pass the visual inspection are given serial numbers, pull-tested and, upon your request, receives a new certification paper/proof of test.

Hoisting loads with a wire rope is a simple operation. Hook it up; lift it. Turns out, it’s more complicated than it appears. The details of setting up, inspecting, and maintaining lifts with wire ropes are not complicated, but are critical. A lift that goes awry is dangerous. A bad lift puts workers at risk. In this article, we discuss the causes of wire rope failure and how to avoid them.

Abrasion breaks are caused by external factors such as coming into contact with improperly grooved sheaves and drums. Or just hitting against some object during operation. Worn, broken wire ends is the result of an abrasion break. Common causes of abrasion breaks include:

Core slippage or protrusion is caused by shock load or improper installation of the wire rope. Excessive torque can cause core slippage that forces the outer strands to shorten. The core will then protrude from the rope. Wire ropes designed to be rotation-resistant should be handled carefully so as not to disturb its lay length.

Corrosion breaks cause pitting on the individual wires that comprise the rope. This type of damage is caused by poor lubrication. However, corrosion breaks are also caused by the wire rope coming into contact with corrosive chemicals, such as acid.

There are many ways the strands of a rope can be crushed or flattened. Improper installation is a common cause. To avoid crushing, you’ll want the first layer of the wire rope to be very tight. You’ll also need to properly break-in a new wire rope. Other causes of crushing include cross winding, using a rope of the wrong diameter, or one that it too long.

Cracks to individual wires are caused by fatigue breaks. Fatigue breaks happen because the wire rope is being bent over the sheave over and over again. In time, the constant rubbing of the wire rope against the sheave or drum causes these breaks. Sheaves that are too small will accelerate fatigue breaks because they require more bending. Worn bearings and misaligned sheaves can also cause fatigue. A certain number of broken wires is acceptable. The worker responsible for equipment inspection prior to use should know the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standard for wire ropes. The ASME standard determines whether the wire rope must be replaced. (https://www.asme.org/)

Selecting the right wire rope for the job is critical. There is never a perfect rope. For example, you will need to make a tradeoff between fatigue resistance and abrasion resistance. There are several aspects to wire rope design to consider, including:

In general, the proper wire rope will have a strength rating high enough to handle the load. (Strength is rated in tons.) It can handle the stress of repeated bending as it passes over sheaves or around drums. How you attach the rope in preparation for the lift matters and should only be handled by properly trained workers.

The wire rope (and all the equipment involved in a lift) should be fully inspected prior to the lift. The worker performing the inspection should be well-versed in the types of damage that can cause a wire rope to fail. Using a checklist is highly recommended. This will ensure that the inspection is complete. Worker and supervisor signoff will increase accountability. Of course, the wire rope must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How a wire rope is stored, the weather conditions in which it is used, and how they are cleaned all affect its useful life. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides these recommendations: (Source: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/slings/wire.html)

Preventing wire rope failures starts with selecting the right one for the job. When in doubt, talk with your local equipment dealer. Be prepared to discuss your specific job requirements. A thorough inspection of the wire rope prior to using it is critical. Finally, properly store your wire rope. The selection, inspection, and care of wire rope is key to job safety.

Wire rope must be designed to have, in relation to the equipment"s rated capacity, a sufficient minimum breaking force and design factor so that compliance with the applicable inspection provisions in § 1926.1413 will be an effective means of preventing sudden rope failure.

Wire rope can go through a lot of abuse. These ropes are used for numerous types of applications, from overhead rigging to tie-downs, and they are constantly under a lot of friction and pressure.

Ask any wire rope distributor, and they’ll tell you that if a wire rope is even slightly damaged, it could lead to disaster. Every year, more than 10% of fatal occupational injuries are caused by accidents related to wire ropes snapping and dropping heavy materials.

To reduce this risk of lost and damaged materials, injury, or even death, it is important to take exceptional care of wire ropes. Ensuring that these critical pieces of industrial hardware equipment are in tip-top shape can also help to lower material costs. Additionally, it can save your team a lot of time spent repairing and replacing broken wire ropes.

Our team at Elite Sales has been working in the industrial hardware supply industry for many years. We know a thing or two about how to care for wire rope.

It is not only the heavy workloads and movement that wear down a wire rope – it is also the way that it is handled and stored. Wire ropes can be damaged by exposure to extreme temperatures and even small amounts of water or humidity.

You should always wipe down wire ropes before putting them away to make sure that they are completely dried. It is best to keep them in a temperature-controlled space, especially during the winter. Extreme cold temperatures can make the metal more brittle and prone to breaking.

If you will be leaving wire ropes outside or if they will be exposed to any water, it is highly recommended that you use either stainless-steel or galvanized wire ropes. Electro or hot dip galvanized and stainless-steel wire ropes are naturally rust-resistant. However, most wire rope distributors still recommended that you keep wire ropes as dry as possible to prevent any issues.

Finally, do not store wire ropes on the ground, as this can cause scratches and snags on the wires. If you are using galvanized wire ropes, the ground could chip away at the zinc coating, leaving the alloy steel exposed. It is best to keep wire ropes on cement or metal surfaces to prevent termite damage, dust, or other damaging conditions.

There are some things you can do before, during, and after wire rope transport that will help to prevent wear and damage. Be sure to ask your wire rope distributor questions about the designs and options before you buy wire rope wholesale, such as:

These factors can make a difference in when and how you will use the ropes for specific purposes. For instance, it may be best to opt for a rotation-resistant wire rope for overhead lifting to reduce twisting – which can wear the wire strands down.

Wire rope distributors suggest that wire ropes should be cleaned and lubricated regularly, especially after extreme weight loads or dry, hot temperatures. The strands can be cleaned with steam or compressed air that removes debris. Then, a layer of mineral oil or petrolatum-based lubricant should be applied. This will help to reduce friction and create a protective layer over the wire rope strands.

Purchasing wire ropes wholesale can get expensive. You want your investment to last as long as possible. Fortunately, you can extend the life of a wire rope dramatically by carefully inspecting it regularly to catch signs of wear that can be fixed. Inspections should only be conducted by trained workers who know what to look for. Special attention should also be given to specific spots on the rope, such as points of attachment.

If there are only small issues, such as a broken strand or frayed end, they may be fixable if they are caught early enough. The worn-down portion can be wrapped in a new wire to create a seized end. This wrap should then be fused to create a strong seal and prevent future damage to that point of the rope. Also, always work with a reputable wire rope distributor to receive quality products.

Although wire ropes are not the most technical piece of equipment on construction sites, it still requires specialized training to handle and maintain. All employees must be taught how to unload, store, and transport wire ropes properly to prevent excess wear and tear.

For instance, all handlers should know the proper procedure for coiling or winding the ropes. Wire ropes can easily snag or bend, so this task must be done carefully and correctly. Additionally, if a rope is wound too tightly, it can cause friction between each wrapped layer or even crush in the innermost coils.

Supervisors must be careful to enforce proper handling. Failing to properly inspect or use wire ropes could lead to damaged equipment and OSHA violations, as well as an extremely dangerous work environment. There is no excuse for shortcuts when it comes to handling these ropes! Hence, before you buy wire ropes wholesale, be sure to read up on how to care for wire rope.

Extending the life of your wire rope is not difficult, but it does require a bit of extra attention and maintenance. Ultimately, the best way to ensure that they do not wear down quickly is by purchasing highly-rated, top-quality wire ropes in the first place.

At Elite Sales, we offer the highest quality industrial hardware equipment available. If you are looking for a wire rope distributor you can trust, reach out to our team. We carry a wide variety of wire rope styles, sizes, and grades so you can find the exact type you need for the job at hand.

In 1998, a crane load line broke while lifting the south topside module of the Petronius platform, dropping the module into the Gulf of Mexico. The cost was estimated to be around 116 million US dollars. Since 1999 more than 60 people have been killed as a result of wire ropes breaking and more than 65 associated injuries.

Not many people appreciate that there are literally thousands of wire rope designs, most of which can be put into a specific category. According to BS ISO 4309 2010 there are currently more than 25 categories of crane wire rope, each with differing characteristics and also different discard criteria. Deterioration can be measured, counted or calculated and the wire rope eventually taken out of service based on sophisticated discard criteria published in chosen standards, codes of practice or users handbooks.

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to either of these questions. All wire ropes will eventually break due to corrosion, wear or fatigue even if they are maintained and used properly. Unpredictable wire rope failures will inevitably occur, quite often when you least expect it if the discard criteria is ignored, or those using the equipment are ignorant of it.

James Dawes of Topeka, Illinois, was killed in 2008 after being struck by the boom of a Link-Belt crane; the accident was caused by the boom hoist wire rope breaking. The crane rope had been inspected, but a report said that the inspector failed to reject the rope showing a high number of visible wire breaks. Premature or unexpected wire rope failures can also be attributed to poor manufacture, incorrect handling and storage, poor installation technique, poor selection or fitting of its termination, infrequent or inadequate inspection and poor maintenance. Of course there is always the possibility that mechanical damage can occur and this is usually attributed to human error.

It is necessary, particularly during offshore operations that frequent inspections are carried out over the whole length of the working part of all steel wire ropes. The frequency of inspections should be based on the severity of use and risk assessment and particular attention should be paid to the critical areas of the wire rope; areas that are frequently running over sheaves, compensating sheaves and the rope termination to name a few.

If a wire rope has not been subjected to an abnormal environmental condition such as excessive heat, chemical attack or any corrosive solution and it has not been the victim of any form of mechanical damage, then trained operatives and inspectors can reasonably predict the length of time the steel wire rope is likely to last. That prediction, of course, will be dependent on the knowledge and experience of those making it coupled with known facts about the rope, its current condition and the application it is running on. The Inspector should be aware of the previous rope’s history, capacities of loads and the reeving systems employed together with the frequency of use etc.

Various standards and codes of practice have been written by recognized bodies and institutes based on the experience of experts or representatives of corporate organizations who have a vested interest. These standards do offer guidance on when a wire rope should be removed from service based on wear, abrasion and fatigue amongst others things, but none of these standards have any legal status except when they are called up by contract. Indeed they can all be supported or overturned in a court of law by an expert.

The users handbook, or more importantly the safe use instructions do have legal status. In many parts of the world these days, suppliers of cranes or any machinery for that matter, issue safe use instructions with new equipment. Modern applications employ modern wire rope and, in some cases, sheaves and pulleys that are made with materials other than steel. Original equipment manufacturers of such applications may impose discard criteria for the wire rope that is stricter than those in chosen standards. By law the user must follow manufacturers’ instructions.

Wire ropes will deteriorate much more quickly if they go dry and are allowed to remain in that condition. Tests have proven that a dry rope will lose up to 60 % of its expected life if it is not re-lubricated. There are differing schools of thought as to how wire rope should be lubricated. Some believe that a thin lubricant should be applied using a paintbrush. It is thought that this method allows the lubricant to penetrate. Experience has proven however, that thin penetrative lubricants will easily drain away or fly off in hot climates.

Another school of thought, and the one I stand on, is that grease should be pressure lubricated into the rope. This method, if applied properly, will ensure that the grease penetrates the rope pushing out the old lubricant with it and any possible corrosive agents such as salt water and sand. Any lubricant that is used must be compatible with the type that was applied previously and it is a good idea to consider the environment as well.

In any event, wire ropes usually announce that they are about to break. A series of individual wire breaks can be heard. These are likely to go on over several seconds and continuing for up to ten minutes before ultimate failure. Therefore, if operatives understand the warning signals, expensive incidents could be avoided.

Figure 2 shows two pieces of the same rope, the bottom portion quite clearly shows a progression of wire breaks. The operator was able to put the load down before disaster struck. The root cause of this fault was core deterioration brought about by internal corrosion.

To answer the other question on accountability, the list is extensive. Usually the first suspect is the wire rope manufacturer and that may be where the problem lies, but very often that is not the case. What if you were supplied the wrong rope for the application? Maybe you ordered the wrong rope or your buyer bought it from a cheap unapproved manufacturing source.

Perhaps your supplier is responsible, maybe he provided you with a rope that was produced to the wrong specifications. Would you know the difference? Perhaps you were sold a rope that had been stored in the suppliers or manufactures stock for a number of years and, whilst it was there, it hadn’t been properly maintained. Maybe the rope had been badly handled or installed incorrectly. The list of possibilities is endless.

In 1999 a ropeway in the French Alps snapped causing 21 deaths. In 2003, a ropeway wire rope snapped and 7 people died and a further 42 were injured. In 2007 a crane wire rope snapped at New Delhi’s metro, the entire structure tumbled down crushing workers underneath, six people were killed and 13 more were injured. In 2009 26 people were killed and 5 people were injured when a rope failed in a mine and a further 6 people were injured when a lift rope broke inside London’s Tower Bridge.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation after the unthinkable premature failure of a wire rope, then you might like to know that there are independent analytical services capable of determining probable cause. One of these is Doncaster Analytical Services Ltd (DAS), they have an independent metallurgical laboratory providing factual analysis and testing of wire rope for any reason (contact Mr Shui Lee, Technical Director, Tel +44(0)1302 556063, email: shui.lee@doncasteranalyticalservices. com).

You do not need a wire rope to fail in order to learn. Careful analysis of discarded ropes can also give you valuable information about your application, the way it operates, and the rope you have been using.

Based on this information, a trained, skilled and experienced inspector will be able to advise on a better crane or wire rope design, or to an improvement in maintenance procedures and safety.

Wire rope slings can be used in many different industries such as general manufacturing, automotive, metals production and petroleum and gas. Wire rope slings are strong and flexible and can be resistant to abrasion and corrosion. Wire rope slings should be inspected by trained and qualified service personnel to minimize the risk or failure and to stay compliant with regulations.

Employers must use only wire-rope slings that have permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer, and that indicate the recommended safe working load for the type(s) of hitch(es) used, the angle upon which it is based, and the number of legs if more than one.

Cable laid and 6 × 19 and 6 × 37 slings shall have a minimum clear length of wire rope 10 times the component rope diameter between splices, sleeves or end fittings.

Fiber core wire rope slings of all grades shall be permanently removed from service if they are exposed to temperatures in excess of 200 °F. When nonfiber core wire rope slings of any grade are used at temperatures above 400 °F or below minus 60 °F, recommendations of the sling manufacturer regarding use at that temperature shall be followed.

Konecranes inspectors and technicians can inspect the slings and other rigging equipment in your facility to determine if it meets OSHA standards. The Konecranes Slings and Accessories Inspection checks non-maintainable load lifting attachments and accessories to identify deficiencies and deviations from local statutory safety and health regulations. The inspection service utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to record load lifting attachment inspection data and a smartphone app to help quickly and reliably identify attachments.

*The foregoing OSHA regulations are not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all applicable regulations pertaining to the designated topic. State laws may mandate different safety and maintenance standards. Accordingly, please consult applicable state laws as well as original equipment manufacturer specifications for further guidance. The statements and descriptions contained herein constitute the opinion/recommendation of the seller and are not intended to create any express warranties.

At Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging, Inc. we pride ourselves in providing you and your company comprehensive wire rope and rigging solutions. With our locations in Las Vegas and Northern Nevada, we offer a full range of conventional and custom engineered rigging products and solutions, as well as a full spectrum of tension and non-destructive testing. This testing includes magnetic field testing of wire rope tension testing of wire ropes and mining rope tension testing to CSA G-4 test protocols.

Along with general purpose and high performance wire rope, cable, slings, and specialized cables, we have a complete range of rigging hardware items and field rigging services. Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging, Inc. also offers rigging rental items for many of the projects you have.

With a primary focus on safety, Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging, Inc. is the only company of its kind in the state for wire rope and rigging solutions. With general offices, manufacturing facility and warehousing in Las Vegas and Elko, Nevada and several product divisions, we specialize in a broad spectrum of wiring and rigging-related services. About Us

Wire rope is an essential tool for safety when mining. As Nevada’s and California’s number one choice in the active mining industry, we can make sure no matter what the job is, we’ll supply full-service wire rope that meets your jobs requirements and safety standards. Learn More

The entertainment industry in Las Vegas is a shining star that brings people from all over the world. However, for the show to go on, these highly skilled professionals needs the safest wire rope money can buy. Bring any show or event to life with Silver State Wire Rope and Riggings professional and safety-first wire rope services. Learn More

Utility jobs vary from job site to job site, each having unique needs and wire rope requirements to get the job done safely and efficiently. Our wire rope is designed to fit the specific requirements on all types of utility work sites, so you can save money and be safe on the job!

Wire rope is an essential tool for safety when mining. As Nevada’s and California’s number one choice in the active mining industry, we can make sure no matter what the job is, we’ll supply full-service wire rope that meets your jobs requirements and safety standards. Learn More

Need an OSHA Rigging certified company with accreditation in Nevada and California? Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging is certified, and our training services are always on top of any new OSHA standards for wire rope, rigging. Our training services cover all types of rigging needs such as entertainment, utility, mining, and more. Learn More

Routine equipment instructions are critical when it comes to rigging and lifting hardware. These routine inspections have many benefits, the most vital being workplace safety. Routine inspections can detect and potentially prevent equipment failure, leading to extensive damage or even fatal injuries on the job site. Additional benefits include increased productivity and reduced maintenance and…September 5, 2022

Wire ropes are incredibly versatile. This versatility allows them to be utilized by many different industries. However, to meet people’s exact needs, they are constructed in different styles, weights, and sizes. Various tools help users get the most out of their wire ropes. When it comes to wire ropes, you have many choices. Continue reading…June 22, 2022

A customer recently contacted us to reorder the wire rope component of their Electrolifttwin hook monorail hoist. While the hoist was only a year old, they had replaced the wire rope twice within six months. They sent a picture of the damaged rope and asked for reasons why the wire rope was failing.What’s killing my wire rope?

It’s important to note that the wire rope used for hoists and overhead cranes is specially made of extra flexible Improved Plow Steel (IPS). It’s considered superior in durability and tensile strength (bending) to standard, everyday wire rope.

When properly sized and lubricated, a wire rope should last for years, even with frequent use. Wire rope hoists are recommended for heavy duty applications, high frequency usage and where long lifts are needed.

The Answer:Most likely, there’s a problem with how the hoist is operated. Wire rope failure is almost always due to operator error. By design, hoist hook blocks must be raised and lowered straight up and straight down, and the wire rope cable wraps around the drum, within the grooving, in one layer. In the course of picking up a load, if the operator side pulls the rope by more than about three degrees from vertical, the wire rope will jump the drum’s grooves.

Once the grooves are jumped, the operator must realize the error and stop using the hoist immediately. To correct the issue, the load must be lowered and the wire rope must be allowed to return it to the correct drum grooves. If the operator continues to use the hoist with the wire rope piled up at one end of the drum, the rope gets pinched and the cable can become damaged. Also in the course of usage, if the cable goes slack and the wire rope jumps over the drum guard, it could get caught between the drum and the shaft, and the wire rope could fail.

To prevent this problem, we recommend operator training classesand regular inspection of the unit. Every shift should start with an examination of the rope by lowering the hook all the way down. If the rope is damaged, including even one strand broken, stop the process and get the rope replaced. We recommend keeping spare ropes in stock to avoid downtime and

How often do you inspect your wire ropes? I gave a presentation during the 2017 Groundwater Week event where I asked this question. Most everyone in the room of nearly 100 drillers said, “every day, as they run the rig.”

The next question I asked was, who has had a wire rope break on the job? Nearly every hand in the room, including mine, went up. How could this be? If we all are inspecting the wire rope every day, the rope should never be in a condition in which it could fail, right?

This realization should lead to the industry asking some questions. How much does the average driller really know about wire rope? What industry standards apply? Are there best practices references for wire rope use and inspection? Should inspections of wire rope be documented? Let’s get into the details for answers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that water well drilling equipment and activities, like oil and gas drilling, are covered by applicable requirements of 29 CFR Part 1910. In this decision, OSHA states, “Water well drilling, oil, and gas well drilling expose employees to similar hazards, therefore, employers engaged in drilling operations shall comply with appropriate General Industry Standards. This is an exception in classifying an industry when using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) manual but, is necessary for proper citing of water well drilling alleged violations.”

However, geothermal drilling fits the OSHA definition of construction. OSHA’s regulations define construction work as “construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating.” Jim Martinek, OSHA Region 5 director, stated in a phone conversation on the topic of geothermal drilling’s applicable OSHA standards: “If the work fits the definition of construction, 29 CFR Part 1926 shall apply.” So, just as the formation dictates the way we drill a hole, the end use of a job dictates what OSHA regulations may apply.

For water well and geotech drilling, this includes 1910.176 Materials Handling and Storage, 1910.181 Derricks and 1910.184 Rigging/Slings, as well as the ANSI/ASME B30.9, B30.10 and B30.5. OSHA can cite each of these standards as industry best practices

I know what you are thinking: “Dedicated drill rigs are exempt from the 1926 OSHA crane standard.” I agree that a drill is not a crane. However, the API oil field standards and the sub part CC cranes in construction OSHA standards are identical with only a small exception in wire-rope safety factor when running casing. (The API granted themselves a safety factor reduction from 3 to 2 for setting casing. OSHA has a safety factor of 3 for all hoist lines except for rotation-resistant wire rope, which has a safety factor of 5 for drilling use.) Since these sister industries have standards that directly apply to similar uses of wire rope, the issues addressed in their standards are recognized hazards and it is reasonable that we should remediate those hazards by following the recommendations in those standards.

The problem with drilling is that we do not always do the best job of educating new employees, or even ourselves, as to what we need to do to properly maintain our wire rope, or even what to look for beyond the blatantly obvious to determine if a wire rope has outlived its safe usefulness. I am reminded of this every time I do a wire rope usage and inspection class and hear from the apprentices I teach about issues they see in the field. Many times, the issue is the driller either doesn’t know how to properly use/install the rope, or doesn’t properly inspect and remove from service a rope that is deficient in some way.

These types of problems are rare in the crane world as a great deal of effort is made to educate newer employees to the rights and wrongs of using, inspecting and discarding of wire rope. The drilling industry should have a similar safety record when if comes to wire-rope failures. Sadly, we do not. If you ask a room of 100 crane operators who has had a wire rope break during a lift, you would more than likely not see any hands raised. We, as an industry, can and should do better.

This wire-rope discussion is too complicated to handle in a single, under-1,000 word article. To address this issue as fully as possible, the next few articles will build on this topic. I aim to assist you in educating yourself (if need be) and any employees new to the drilling industry.

Wire rope lifting slings, bridles and assemblies provide great durability and high tensile strength for lifting heavy loads. In addition, wire rope lifting slings are lighter in weight and more cost efficient than chain slings. Wire rope slings, sometimes referred to as wire slings, or cable lifting slings, are constructed using a variety of different styles and sizes of steel wire rope. Every style and size of wire rope offers different properties and benefits such as:

Each type of wire rope has benefits and drawbacks. What all wire ropes have in common however, is that they are made up of steel wires which form individual stands. These strands are laid in a helical pattern around a fiber or steel IWRC (independent wire rope core) core.

Wire rope lifting slings, bridles and assemblies are highly customizable, so if you are unable to find what you are looking for, or if you don’t know exactly what you need, call or email our sales team to speak with a rigging product specialist.

The durability of steel cable lifting slings is also put to the test in the harsh environments seen in steel mills and forging facilities. Every steel wire rope configuration will offer different properties and will be better equipped to handle certain applications. Generally, a smaller number of large outer wires will provide more wear, corrosion and abrasion resistance. Conversely, a larger number of smaller outer wires will provide better flexibility and fatigue resistance.

After you decide what construction and size of wire rope fits your application, you must configure the entire sling. Wire rope bridles and assemblies are available in single-leg, double-leg, triple-leg, and quadruple-leg configurations. They most commonly have 2 eyes and are constructed using a mechanical flemish splice. Wire rope lifting slings can be used in vertical, choker and basket hitches. They can also be equipped with a variety of attachments and fittings to accommodate almost any overhead lifting application.

Although wire rope sling fittings and attachment can be reused, the wire rope itself is not repairable. If a wire rope sling fails an inspection, it is to be properly destroyed and disposed of

It is important to inspect wire rope slings regularly and to keep a record of all sling inspections. At Tri-State Rigging Equipment we offer a full range of rigging inspection and repair services. The standards that govern wire rope sling inspection are OSHA 1910.184 and ASME B30.9. It is recommended that wire rope rigging slings first undergo an initial inspection when you receive the lifting sling from the manufacturer. The purpose of this initial inspection is to:

Wire rope slings, bridles and assemblies should also be inspected by a designated and qualified individual every day before use to make sure that the sling is in working condition and will lift its rated capacity. The person performing the inspection should examine all the wire rope, fastenings and attachments on the wire rope sling. The inspector is looking for visual indications of any defects, deformities and general damage that might affect the integrity of the sling.

Depending on your application, it may be recommended that you perform these visual inspections more than once a day. If the wire rope sling is used many times throughout the day, by multiple individuals, across multiple shifts, it is imperative that the sling be inspected before every shift change and before any change in lifting application.

ASME standards further require a thorough periodic inspection to be performed at least once a year by either a professional service provider, or by a Qualified Person. In addition, written records must be kept until the next periodic inspection. The rejection criteria for periodic wire rope sling inspections are as follows:

10 or more randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or 5 or more broken wires in one strand in one rope lay, for strand-laid grommets and single part slings.

If your wire rope sling shows any of the rejection criteria above, you must remove the sling from service, and it must be destroyed. Properly destroying rigging equipment is imperative because you can be held accountable for damage done by people who find and use your discarded slings. Therefore, lifting slings deemed not suitable for service must be destroyed beyond use and beyond repair. The process for destroying a wire rope sling is as follows:

The purpose of daily and periodic wire rope sling inspections is not to get anyone in trouble but rather to gain knowledge of the frequency of use, severity of conditions, and nature of lifts, and consider how all these factors affect your wire rope sling. The most important reason to perform daily and periodic wire rope sling inspections, however, is to keep you and your coworkers safe.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is a custom manufacturer, service provider and distributor for all wire rope lifting slings serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.