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Product Resource Information

Scope

THE ALBERTA OH&S ACT, REGULATION AND CODE 2018, THE ASME B30.9-2018 STANDARD AND MANUFACTURERS OF WIRE 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 WIRE ROPE SLINGS.

Legislation, Standards and Specifications

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

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American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.9-2018, Slings, Chapter 9-2 Wire Rope Slings

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Manufacturer's specifications for the type and style of Wire Rope Sling.

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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 Wire Rope Slings. Read Details
Can you prove users are competent in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environments, and rigging practices associated with Wire Rope Slings ? Read Details

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

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An employer must identify responsibilities for the user of a Wire Rope Sling

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The use of Wire Rope Slings can create hazardous situations Read Details

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 Wire Rope Sling you are using ?

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Markings

A Wire Rope Sling must be marked with the manufacturer's name or trade mark

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A Wire Rope Sling must be marked with its rated load for at least one hitch type and the angle upon which it is based Read Details
A Wire Rope Sling must be marked with its diameter or size Read Details
A Wire Rope Sling must be marked with its number of legs if more than one Read Details

Training

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

What are the training requirements for Wire Rope Sling users ? Read Details
How does your company monitor the training requirements for Wire Rope Slings ? Read Details
How have users been trained in the requirements for Wire Rope Slings ? Read Details
Training records should be kept to show users were trained in the requirements for Wire Rope Slings Read Details

Manufacturer's specifications for the Wire Rope Slings must be available to users ?

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Where are your manufacturer's specifications for the Wire 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 the hazards associated with the use of Wire Rope Slings ? Read Details
Have users identified the hazards associated with the use of Wire Rope Slings ? Read Details

Inspection Requirements

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

All new Wire Rope Slings shall have an initial inspection completed by a designated person

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Prior to and during use all Wire Rope Slings shall have a frequent inspection completed by a designated person

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How often are frequent inspections completed ? Read Details
What must be checked on a frequent inspection ? Read Details

All Wire 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 ? Read Details
What must be checked on a periodic inspection ? Read Details
Records of periodic inspections must be available to users Read Details
How does your company identify a Wire Rope Sling has had a periodic inspection ? Read Details

Removal Criteria

A Wire 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. Read Details
Sling identification legible. Read Details
Broken wires. Read Details
How many broken wires are allowed ? Read Details
Wear. Read Details
How much wear is allowed ? Read Details

Cracked, deformed or worn fittings.

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Kinking, crushing, birdcaging or other damage to the rope structure. Read Details
Evidence of heat damage. Read Details
How much heat damage is allowed ? Read Details
Excessive pitting or corrosion. Read Details

How much pitting or corrosion is allowed ?

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Weld spatter Read Details
How much weld spatter is allowed ? Read Details
Hooks that are damaged. Read Details
Hardware that is damaged. Read Details
Other conditions including physical damage. Read Details
Unauthorised repair. Read Details

Selection, Limitations and Use

All Wire 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 Read Details
Do not stand or pass under a suspended load Read Details
Do not ride on a sling Read Details

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 Read Details
Shock loading must be avoided Read Details
What hitches can the sling be used in ? Read Details
Will the hitch used provide control of the load ? Read Details
How will the hitch used effect the load ratings of the sling ? Read Details
What are the rated load limitation when used at angles ? Read Details
How do edges, corners or small diameters effect the load rating of a sling ? Read Details
Slings must be protected against sharp edges, corners or protrusions Read Details
Will the protection be adequate for the application used ? Read Details
Will the sling eye be filled by an attachment ? Read Details
How much of the sling eye can be filled ? Read Details
Will the sling be subjected to mechanical damage ? Read Details
Will loads be rested on the sling ? Read Details
Will the sling be pulled from under a rested load ? Read Details
Will the sling be dragged on the floor or an abrasive surfaces ? Read Details
What is the minimum and maximum temperature the sling can be exposed to ? Read Details
Will the sling be effected by exposure to chemicals ? Read Details

Will the sling rotate in use ?

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Maintenance

Are slings subjected to corrosive action ? Read Details
Are slings subjected to moisture ? Read Details

Are slings stored correctly when not in use ?

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Are slings subjected to degreasers or solvents. 

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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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Misconception 2. A slings capacity stays the same when used around an edge or corner.

Wire Rope slings are greatly effected in these situation, wrapping a wire rope around a 90 degree corner applies point loading to the wires and can cause damage or failure of the rope, also using the wire rope around a small radius will reduce the capacity the sling can lift.

The minimum radius or D/d ratio recommended 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 Wire Rope Sling where no thimble is present.

An object in the eye of the Wire Rope sling should not be wider than 1/2 the length ot the eye nor less than the nominal slng diameter.

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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 Wire 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. 

 

Wire Rope Sling Competency Evaluation

Manufacturer and Supplier Questions

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

 

Wire Rope Sling 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.

 

Wire Rope Sling Tool Box Talk

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