THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.9-2018 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF SYNTHETIC ROPE SLINGS ALL STATE THAT USERS OF SLINGS MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SELECTION, INSPECTION, CAUTIONS TO PERSONNEL, EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTS AND RIGGING PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SLINGS. FAILURES DUE TO MISSUSE HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF SYNTHETIC ROPE SLINGS.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety. Act, Regulation and Code 2021 |
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.9-2018, Slings, Chapter 9-4 Synthetic Rope Slings |
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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Synthetic Rope Sling. |
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Manufacturer's referenced standards |
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Users must be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Synthetic Rope Slings. |
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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 Synthetic Rope Slings? |
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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 Synthetic Rope Slings 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 Synthetic Rope Slings 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 Synthetic Rope Slings? |
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An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Synthetic Rope Sling |
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The use of Synthetic Rope Slings 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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What are the manufacturer's design factors for the Synthetic Rope Sling you are using? |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be marked with the manufacturer's name or trade mark |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be marked with the manufacturer's code or stock number |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be marked with its rated load for at least one hitch type and the angle upon which it is based |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be marked with the type of fiber material |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be marked with its number of legs if more than one |
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It is important that all Synthetic Rope Sling users be knowledgeable about the safe and proper use, application of Synthetic Rope Slings, be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and safety material provided with each product. In addition all Synthetic Rope Sling users need to be aware of their responsibilities outlined in all applicable standards, regulations and policies
What are the training requirements for Synthetic Rope Sling users ? |
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How does your company monitor the training requirements for Synthetic Rope Slings ? |
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How have users been trained in the requirements for Synthetic Rope Slings ? |
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Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements of Synthetic Rope Slings |
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Manufacturer's specifications for the Synthetic Rope Slings must be available to users |
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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Synthetic Rope Slings 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 Synthetic Rope Slings? |
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Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Synthetic Rope Slings? |
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There are 3 types of inspection that are required to be carried out on Synthetic Rope Slings, these are Initial, Frequent and Periodic
All new Synthetic Rope Sling shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person |
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Prior to and during use all Synthetic Rope Slings 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 Synthetic Rope Slings must have a documented periodic inspection at a mimimum annually 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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Documentation of periodic inspections must be maintained |
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How does your company identify a Synthetic Rope Sling has had a periodic inspection ? |
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A Synthetic Rope Sling must be removed from service if any of the following criteria deems that the sling is not fit for use.
Sling identification missing |
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Sling identification legible |
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Cuts, gouges or extensive fiber breakage |
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How much fiber breakage is allowed? |
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Reduction in effective diameter |
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How much reduction is allowed |
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Uniform fiber breakage along the length of the rope |
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How much fiber breakage is allowed? |
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Internal fiber breakage, fused of melted fibers |
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How much internal damage is allowed? |
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Discoloration, brittle, hard of stiff fibers from chemical, ultraviolet or heat damage |
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How much chemical, ultraviolet or heat damage is allowed? |
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Excessive internal grit, dirt or foreign matter. |
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Kinks or distortions in the rope structure (Hockles) |
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How many hockles are allowed? |
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Correded, cracked, distorted, worn thimbles or component |
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Hooks that are damaged |
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Hardware that is damaged |
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Other conditions including physical damage. |
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Unauthorised repair |
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All Synthetic Rope Sling users must be aware that their capacity may change depending on the type of hitch, the sling angle, the diameter it is used around and the environment it is used in.
Damaged slings shall not be used |
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Rated loads cannot be exceeded |
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Do not stand or pass under a suspended load |
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Do not ride on a sling |
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Slings shall only be shortened or adjusted by manufacturer's allowable means |
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Slings shall not be shortened or lengthened by knotting or twisting |
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Twisting and kinking shall be avoided |
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Shock loading must be avoided |
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What hitches can the sling be used in ? |
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Will the hitch used provide control of the load ? |
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How will the hitch used effect the load ratings of the sling? |
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What are the rated load limitation when used at angles ? |
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How do edges, corners or small diameters effect the load rating of a sling? |
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Slings must be protected against sharp edges, corners or protrusions |
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Will the protection be adequate for the application used? |
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Will the sling eye be filled by an attachment? |
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How much of the sling eye can be filled? |
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Will the sling be subjected to mechanical damage ? |
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Will loads be rested on the sling? |
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Will the sling be pulled from under a rested load? |
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Will the sling be dragged on the floor or an abrasive surfaces? |
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What is the minimum and maximum temperature the sling can be exposed to? |
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Will the sling be effected by exposure to chemicals ? |
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Will the sling rotate in use ? |
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Are slings subjected to corrosive action |
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Are slings subjected to ultraviolet light |
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Are slings subjected to salt water? |
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Are slings stored correctly when not in use |
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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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Misconception 2. A slings capacity stays the same when used around an edge or corner. Synthetic Rope Slings are greatly effected in these situation, wrapping a Synthetic Rope sling around a 90 degree corner applies point loading to the fibres and can cause damage or failure of the rope, also using the rope sling around a small radius will reduce the capacity the sling can lift. The minimum radius or D/d ratio recomended by the manufacturer must be known before using the sling in these situations. |
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Misconception 3. Any size object can be used in the eye of a Synthetic Rope Sling. An object in the eye of a Synthetiic Rope Sling should not be wider than 1/3 the length of the eye. |
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Misconception 4. Synthetic Rope Slings can be cleaned by washing. Slings that are exposed to salt water should be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water to prevent mechanical damage from salt crystals when the rope dries. |
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This evaluation form can be used as a demonstration or knowledge based competency of a workers understanding of a Synthetic Rope Sling. 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.
Synthetic Rope Sling Competency Evaluation
The objective of this document is to acquire information from manufacturers and suppliers to assess if the Synthetic Rope Slings supplied are compliant to the ASME B30.9 standard, as this is the most recognized standard used in North America. Click on the link below to either download or print the questionaire.
Synthetic Rope Sling Manufacturer and Supplier Questions
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.
Synthetic Rope Sling Tool Box Talk