Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code 2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.26-2015, Chapter 26-4 Links, Master Link Subassemblies, Rings, and Swivels

Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Link or Ring.

Manufacturer's referenced standards

Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with LInks and Rings.

Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Links and Rings?

If a user is not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Links and Rings they must have direct supervision from a competent worker

If not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Links and Rings do users have direct supervision?

Do you have documented policies and procedures in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Links and Rings?

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of Links and Rings

The use of Links and Rings can create hazardous situations

Have Supervisors taken all precautions to protect the health and safety of every worker under the Supervisors supervision.

Have Suppliers ensured the equipment supplied is in a safe operating condition, and that it complies with this Act, regulation and the OHS Code  

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Links and Rings you are using?

Each link, master link subassembly, and ring shall be marked to show the name or trademark of the manufacturer

Each link, master link subassembly, and ring shall be marked to show its size or rated load

Each link, master link subassembly, and ring shall be marked to show its grade, if required to identify its rated load

What are the training requirements for Link and Ring users?

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Links and Rings?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Links and Rings?

Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements of Links and Rings

Manufacturer's specifications for the Links and Rings must be available to users

Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Links or Rings kept?

How do you ensure users are familiar with the manufacturer's specifications?

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Links and Rings?

Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Links and Rings?

All new Links and Rings shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person

Prior to and during use all Links and Rings shall have a frequent inspection completed by a designated person

How often are frequent inspections completed?

What must be checked on a frequent inspection?

All Links and Rings must have a periodic inspection completed by a designated person

How often are periodic inspections completed?

What must be checked on a periodic inspection?

How does your company identify a Link or Ring has had a periodic inspection?

Link or Ring identification missing

Link or Ring identification illegable

Evidence of heat damage

How much heat damage is allowed

Weld spatter and arc strikes

How much weld spatter is allowed

Pitting or corrosion

How much pitting or corrosion is allowed

Bent, twisted, distorted, stretched, elongated, cracked, or broken components.

Nicks or gouges

Reduction of the original catalog dimensions

How much reduction is allowed?

Unauthorized welding or modification

Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause doubt as to continued use

Links, master link subassemblies, and rings having suitable characteristics for the type of load, hitch, angle of loading, and environment shall be selected in accordance with the recommendations of the hardware manufacturer or a qualified person.

The rated load of the links, master link subassemblies, and rings shall not be exceeded.

Links, master link subassemblies, and rings that appear to be damaged shall not be used until inspected and accepted as usable 

All portions of the human body shall be kept from between the load and any other rigging during lifting or load handling activities.

Personnel should stand clear of the suspended load.

Personnel should stand clear of rigging when it is under tension.

Personnel shall not ride rigging hardware.

Contact with obstructions that could damage the link or ring should be avoided.

Shock loading should be avoided

Links and Rings should not be dragged on an abrasive surface.

The link or ring shall be of the proper shape and size to ensure that it seats properly in the hook, lifting device, or rigging hardware

Multiple slings or rigging hardware gathered in a link or ring shall not exceed a 120-deg included angle, unless approved by a qualified person

The horizontal angle of loading shall not be less than 30 deg, unless approved by a qualified person

Nonsymmetrical loads require an analysis by a qualified person to prevent overloading of any master coupling link.

No single component shall be overloaded.

Are Links or Rings stored correctly when not in use

Are Links and Rings subjected to mechanical damage?

Are Links and Rings subjected to corrosive actions?

Are Links and Rings subjected to extreme heat?

Misconception 1. If you have attended a training course you are a competent rigger.

Training is only one part of being competent to carry out your job, you must also be adequately qualified and have sufficient experience.