wire rope failure osha quotation

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.

Employee #1 was sandblasting and painting the interior of a surge water tank from a single point suspension scaffold. The scaffold was suspended from a 5/16 in. wire rope that failed approximately 20 in. below its attachment point. Employee #1"s fall was arrested by his fall protective equipment, and he sustained only a bruise on his arm. The wire rope used to suspend the scaffold was badly damaged, with numerous broken wires, worn and flattened strands, an area that was coiled, a kink with the core protruding, and a number of areas where the rope was bent. Despite its poor condition, the cable had not been removed from service.

When a job involves lifting, rigging equipment is vital. Rigging equipment can be extremely complicated to operate. Workers must be properly trained in the safety measures rigging equipment requires. Improperly trained employees can suffer serious injuries and do irreparable damage to materials.

One thing to remember when it comes to rigging equipment is to make sure that only authorized individuals are using it. If a person is using the rigging equipment, they must be extensively trained. There are very strict safety standards that employees must follow if they are going to use the equipment. If someone is not properly trained, there can be severe repercussions. The operator should be able to pay close attention to detail and be able to recognize a problem as soon as it occurs. An inexperienced worker using the equipment can prove to be disastrous.

One more thing that is important when dealing with rigging equipment is paying attention to defective equipment. It is imperative that the operator can perform daily inspections on the equipment. The reviews will determine if all the equipment is working properly and that nothing is defective. If something is faulty, it will need to be fixed or replaced before the equipment can be used.

As a result of the heavy responsibilities placed on wire rope, it is no wonder why a cable suffers from wear and tear. The most common problem that occurs when using wire rope, is block twisting or cabling. This is especially the case for companies using wire rope within the construction industry. When this happens, it is easy to blame the rope, but normally there are other issues that need to be addressed.

Each time a load is applied to a wire rope, it will slightly twist or unlay. With time, the wire rope will eventually suffer from block twisting or rope distortion. When the problem gets too big (roughly 180 degrees of twisting), it is best to no longer use the rope. Using a rope that has been cabled is dangerous and unsafe for workers.

As the world leader in power line warning systems, Sigalarm takes safety to the next level. Part of that safety involves properly maintaining machines on the work site. When developing power lines, wire rope serves as an important tool within the process. It is used to lift and equip cranes which then assists workers in lifting other necessary materials. A wire rope consists of hundreds of components that must move and interact in unison in order to bend and support massive weights. Workers must keep this mind when planning their next project. To ensure a successful and timely project, it is beneficial to take safety precautions from the very first step.

Wire rope is a complex piece of mechanical machinery. There are numerous specifications and properties that can affect the performance quality and service life of wire rope. For this reason, it is crucial to properly maintain it. One of the most important maintenance aspects is proper lubrication. Each individual wire rope strand glides within the sheave when in use. Lubrication reduces the amount of friction and enables a smoother surface. Also, the lubrication must seep into the strands rather than linger on the outer surface. Without the proper penetration of the lubricant, the wire rope may not pass its inspection.

After long periods of using the ropes, they are subject to abrasion. While the rope is wound up into multiple layers around the drum, crushing and tension may occur. Workers must ensure that they sufficiently tension the drum during installation. As a result, the rope tightens and gains stability when lifting objects. Disregarding this step can lead to crushing and loose tension.

According to an OSHA Regulations Fact Sheet, there must be monthly, annual, and per-shift inspections on wire ropes that are in use on equipment. This is to ensure safety on the work-site and to prevent damage or injury. Overall, the goal of inspections is to evaluate the remaining strength of the ropes. Possible signs of wire rope deterioration include:

Shift inspections must occur prior to every shift by a competent leader on the job. They are visual inspections that consists of observing wire ropes in order to permit further use. Some deficiencies to consider include the following:

Similarly, monthly inspections include the same criteria as shift inspections. However, any deficiencies found in the observation must be monitored by a qualified person. Once no further corrective action is necessary, workers on the site may continue using the wire ropes.

At least every 12 months, all wire ropes in use in equipment must be inspected by a qualified shift inspection leader. Surely, this is a precaution not to miss as it will enhance work site safety for companies. Each inspection should cover the surface of the entire rope length and give special attention to reverse bends and wire rope passing over sheaves. If a deficiency that presents safety hazards is noted during inspection, the use of wire rope is strictly prohibited. Once the leader monitors each deficiency, they must document the inspection.

Cranes are a critical tool in the development of power lines. In fact, about 44 people in the U.S. are killed or injured from crane accidents every year! As a frequently used machine, maintaining wire ropes is essential. Sigalarm’s mission is to save lives. Visit our website and contact us today to get a quote!

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.