Thorough examinations by a competent person happen at fixed intervals. Between them, the person using the gear checks it before every use. These checks catch most of the damage that causes rigging failures.
Every item
- Identification and safe working load are present and legible.
- The item is within its examination period and listed in the register.
- It is the right item for the load, the hitch and the angle.
Wire rope slings
- Broken wires, especially near terminations.
- Kinks, crushing, bird-caging or core protrusion.
- Corrosion, heat damage, distorted or cracked ferrules and eyes.
Webbing and round slings
- Cuts, tears, abrasion, burns and melted areas.
- Chemical damage, damaged stitching, exposed core yarns.
- A missing or unreadable label: the sling must not be used.
Chain slings
- Stretched, twisted, bent, nicked or gouged links.
- Worn or opened hooks and damaged safety catches.
- Mixed grades or non-matching components.
Shackles
- The correct pin for the body, fully engaged; bolt-type with nut and split pin for long-term or rotating use.
- Bent or spread body, worn crown or pin, damaged threads.
- Load applied in line; side loading reduces capacity.
Damaged gear
Take it out of service at once, tag it as defective and quarantine it so it cannot be picked up again. Report it so it can be examined, repaired by a competent person or destroyed.
General guidance only. It does not replace the manufacturer's data, the applicable standards or the judgement of a competent person.