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Product Resource Information

Scope

THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.26-2015 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF LINKS AND RINGS ALL STATE THAT USERS OF LINKS AND RINGS MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LINKS AND RINGS. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF LINKS AND RINGS.

Legislation, Standards and Specifications

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code 2021

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

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

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Manufacturer's referenced standards

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Employer, Worker, User, Supervisor and Supplier Responsibilities

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

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

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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

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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?

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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?

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

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The use of Links and Rings can create hazardous situations

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

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

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Design Factors

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

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Markings

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

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

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

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Training

It is important that all Link and Ring users be knowledgeable about the safe and proper use, application of Links and Rings, be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and safety material provided with each product. In addition all Link and Ring users need to be aware of their responsibilities outlined in all applicable standards, regulations and policies

What are the training requirements for Link and Ring users?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Inspection Requirements

There are 3 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Links and Rings, these are Initial, Frequent and Periodic

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

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

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How often are frequent inspections completed?

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What must be checked on a frequent inspection?

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

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How often are periodic inspections completed?

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What must be checked on a periodic inspection?

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

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Removal Criteria

A Link or Ring must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the Link or Ring is not fit for use.

Link or Ring identification missing

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Link or Ring identification illegable

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Evidence of heat damage

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How much heat damage is allowed

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Weld spatter and arc strikes

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How much weld spatter is allowed

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Pitting or corrosion

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How much pitting or corrosion is allowed

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

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Nicks or gouges

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Reduction of the original catalog dimensions

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How much reduction is allowed?

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Unauthorized welding or modification

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

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Selection, Limitations and Use

All Link and Ring users must be aware that their Link or Ring capacity may change depending on the sling angle, angle of loading, and environment it is used in.

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.

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

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

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

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Personnel should stand clear of the suspended load.

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

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Personnel shall not ride rigging hardware.

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

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Shock loading should be avoided

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

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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

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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

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

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

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No single component shall be overloaded.

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Maintenance

Are Links or Rings stored correctly when not in use

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Are Links and Rings subjected to mechanical damage?

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Are Links and Rings subjected to corrosive actions?

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Are Links and Rings subjected to extreme heat?

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Misconceptions

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.

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Competency Evaluation

This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Link or Ring. It can be used by either Workers or Employers to assess their knowledge. Click on the link below to either download or print the evaluation.

 

Links and Rings Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Links or Rings supplied are compliant to the ASME B30.26 standard, as this is the most recognized standard used in North America. Click on the link below to either download or print the questionaire.

 

Link and Ring Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

Tool Box Talks

These Tool Box Talks can be used as part of a safety meeting that focuses on topics related to a specific job, such as workplace hazards and safe working practices. Click on the link below to either download or print the tool box talk.

 

Link and Rings Tool Box Talk

Video