Take A Quiz

Product Resource Information

Scope

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

Legislation, Standards and Specifications

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code 2021

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Manufacturer's referenced standards

Read Details

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 Swivels.

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of Swivels

Read Details

The use of Swivels can create hazardous situations

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Design Factors

What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Swivels you are using?

Read Details

Markings

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Training

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

What are the training requirements for Swivel users?

Read Details

How does your company monitor the training requirements for Swivels?

Read Details

How have users been trained in the requirements for Swivels?

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Have employers identified hazards associated with the use of Swivels?

Read Details

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

Read Details

Inspection Requirements

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

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

How often are frequent inspections completed

Read Details

What must be checked on a frequent inspection

Read Details

All Swivels must have a periodic inspection completed by a designated person

Read Details

How often are periodic inspections completed?

Read Details

What must be checked on a periodic inspection?

Read Details

How does your company identify a Swivel has had a periodic inspection?

Read Details

Removal Criteria

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

Swivel identification missing

Read Details

Swivel identification illegable

Read Details

Evidence of heat damage

Read Details

How much heat damage is allowed

Read Details

Weld spatter or arc strikes

Read Details

How much weld spatter is allowed

Read Details

Pitting or corrosion

Read Details

How much pitting or corrosion is allowed

Read Details

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

Read Details

Nicks or gouges

Read Details

Reduction of the original catalog dimensions

Read Details

How much reduction is allowed

Read Details

Unauthorized welding or modification

Read Details

Lack of ability to freely rotate when not loaded

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Selection, Limitations and Use

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

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.

Read Details

The rated load of swivels shall not be exceeded.

Read Details

Swivels that appear to be damaged shall not be used until inspected and accepted as usable 

Read Details

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

Read Details

Personnel should stand clear of the suspended load.

Read Details

Personnel shall not ride rigging hardware.

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Swivels shall only be used for in-line loads

Read Details

Components shall be maintained in good working condition.

Read Details

Shock loading should be avoided.

Read Details

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

Read Details

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

Read Details

Maintenance

Are Swivels stored correctly when not in use

Read Details

Are Swivels subjected to mechanical damage?

Read Details

Are Swivels subjected to corrosive actions?

Read Details

Are Swivels subjected to extreme heat?

Read Details

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.

Read Details

Competency Evaluation

This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Swivel. 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.

 

Swivels Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Swivels 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.

 

Swivel 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.

 

Swivels Tool Box Talk

Video