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 Swivel.

Manufacturer's referenced standards

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

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

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

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of Swivels

The use of Swivels 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 Swivels you are using?

Each swivel shall be marked to show the name or trademark of the manufacturer

Each swivel shall be marked to show its size or rated load

Each swivel shall be marked to show its grade, if required to identify its rated load

What are the training requirements for Swivel users?

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Swivels?

How have users been trained in the requirements for Swivels?

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

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

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

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

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Swivels?

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

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

Prior to and during use all Swivels 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 Swivels 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 Swivel has had a periodic inspection?

Swivel identification missing

Swivel identification illegable

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 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

Lack of ability to freely rotate when not loaded

Loose or missing nuts, bolts, cotter pins, snap rings, or other fasteners and retaining devices

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

Swivels 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 swivels shall not be exceeded.

Swivels 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 shall not ride rigging hardware.

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

Swivels are positioning hardware and are not intended to be rotated under load

Swivels shall only be used for in-line loads

Components shall be maintained in good working condition.

Shock loading should be avoided.

Swivels shall be of the proper shape and size to ensure that they seat properly in the hook, lifting device, or rigging hardware

Contact with obstructions that could damage the swivel should be avoided.

Are Swivels stored correctly when not in use

Are Swivels subjected to mechanical damage?

Are Swivels subjected to corrosive actions?

Are Swivels 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.