Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.26-2015, Chapter 26-1 Shackles

Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Shackle.

Manufacturer's referenced standards

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

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

If a user is not competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Shackles 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 Shackles 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 Shackles ?

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Shackle

The use of Shackles 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 Shackle you are using ?

A Shackle Body must be marked with the manufacturer's name or trade mark

A Shackle Pin must be marked with the manufacturer's name or trade mark

What are the training requirements for Shackle users ?

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Shackles ?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Shackles ?

Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements of Shackles

Manufacturer's specifications for the Shackle must be available to users

Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Shackle kept ?

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

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Shackles ?

Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Shackles ?

All new Shackles shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person

Prior to and during use all Shackles 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 Shackles 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 Shackle has had a periodic inspection ?

Shackle identification missing

Shackle identification illegible

Evidence of heat damage

How much heat damage is allowed ?

Weld spatter or arc strikes

How much weld spatter is allowed ?

Pitting or corrosion

How much pitting and corrosion is allowed ?

Bent, twisted, distorted, stretched, elongated, cracked, or broken load-bearing components.

Nicks or gouges

Reduction in Pin or Body diameter

How much reduction is allowed ?

Other conditions, including visible damage

Unauthorized repair

Damaged shackles shall not be used

Rated loads cannot be exceeded

Do not stand or pass under a suspended load

Do not ride on a shackle

Shock loading must be avoided

Can the shackle be side loaded ?

Will the shackle be dragged on the floor or an abrasive surfaces ?

Are shackles subjected to corrosive action ?

Are shackles stored correctly when not in use ?

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.

Misconception 2. On a screw pin shackle, the screw pin should be turned back after the shoulder makes contact with the shackle body.

The screw pin threads shall be fully engaged and tight, and the shoulder should be in contact with the shackle body.

Misconception 3. The cotter pin of a bolt type shackle can be replaced with a spring clip or wire.

Repairs, alterations, or modifications shall be as specified by the shackle manufacturer or a qualified person. Replacement parts, such as pins, shall meet or exceed the original equipment manufacturer's specifications.

Misconception 4. A shackles marked size is the diameter of the pin.

This is most probably the most common misconception, the size marked on the body on the shackle referes to the diameter of the shackle body not the diameter of the pin, the pin in almost every case is greater in diameter than the body.

Misconception 5. Shackles can make contact with the load when lifting at angles.

Contact with sharp edges that could damage the shackle should be avoided