Monthly Focus
This month’s focus
4th QUARTER SURVEY - CRANES & SLINGS
HOIST & AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
1. Is each overhead electric hoist equipped with a limit device to stop the hook travel at its highest and lowest point of safe travel?
2. Will each hoist automatically stop and hold any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if its actuating force is removed?
3. Is the rated load of each hoist legibly marked and visible to the operator?
4. Are stops provided at the safe limits of travel for hoists?
5. Are controls of the hoists plainly marked to indicate the direction of travel or motion?
6. Is each cage-controlled hoist equipped with an effective warning device?
7. Are close-fitting guards or other suitable devices installed on hoists to assure hoist ropes will be maintained in the sheave grooves?
8. Are all hoist chains or ropes of sufficient length to handle the full range of movement of the application while still maintaining two full wraps on the drum at all times?
9. Are nip points or contact points between hoist ropes and sheaves that are permanently located within seven feet of the floor, ground, or working platform guarded?
10. Is it prohibited to use the hoist rope or chain wrapped around the load as a substitute for a sling?
11. Are operators instructed to avoid carrying loads over people?
12. Are hoists and load-bearing structures load tested and annually certified?
13. Are all pelican hooks equipped with spring-loaded safety clips to prevent accidental load release?
14. Are only employees who have been trained in the proper use of hoists allowed to use them?
15. Are all inspections of cranes, ropes and slings documented?
CHAINS
1. Do all chains include an affixed tag to the sling?
2. Is using knots or bolts avoided to shorten the chain legs?
3. Are chains removed from corrosive or acid conditions?
4. Are slings without the tag proof-tested to twice the working load limit and do all repairs have a physical proof-test?
5. Are frequent visual inspections performed before each use?
6. Are periodic link-by-link inspections performed regularly?
7. Are inspections performed in an area with adequate room to work, and with enough light to examine the sling?
8. Are chain slings cleaned prior to inspection so defects can be easily identified?
9. Are chain slings hung vertically for ease of inspection?
10. Are slings laid on a flat surface and the links aligned with twists removed to measure the reach?
11. Are hoists and load-bearing structures load tested and annually certified?
12. Are all pelican hooks equipped with spring-loaded safety clips to prevent accidental load release?
13. Are only employees who have been trained in the proper use of hoists allowed to use them?
14. Do hooks that were made with safety latches still have the latches in place?
15. Are any hooks bent beyond what is permissible: no more than 15% over the normal throat openings, measured to the narrowest point, or twisting?
WIRE ROPE & WIRE ROPE SLINGS
1. Do 6-strand wire rope slings have 10 or more randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand of one rope lay?
2. Is there any kinking, crushing, bird caging, or other damage which distorts the rope structure?
3. Is there any metallic discoloration caused by exposure to heat?
4. Are there cracked, bent or broken end fittings caused by abuse, wear or accident?
5. Are any hooks bent beyond what is permissible: no more than 15% over the normal throat openings, measured to the narrowest point, or twisting?
6. Do hooks that were made with safety latches still have the latches in place?
7. Is there severe corrosion of the rope or end attachments which has caused pitting or binding of wires?
8. Are damaged slings tagged “DO NOT USE” to prevent any further usage?
9. Are damaged slings destroyed as soon as possible by cutting the eye and fittings from the rope?
FABRIC SLINGS
1. Are there any worn areas from abrasive conditions?
2. Is there any melting or charring of any part of the sling?
3. Are there any holes, tears, cuts, or snags?
4. Is there any broken or worn stitching in load bearing splices?
5. Are frequent visual inspections performed before each use?
6. Are inspections performed in an area with adequate room to work, and with enough light to examine the sling?
7. Are there any knots in any part of the sling?
8. Is there damage to end fittings?
9. Is there any other visible damage that causes doubt as to the strength of the sling?
10. Are synthetic slings stored in a dry, cool, dark place?
11. Are slings kept free from dirt and foreign material?
12. Are mild soap and water used to clean slings?
Follow-up on Fall Protection
This video was posted after last month’s Fall Protection topic. If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest that you watch it. It totally amazes me that people actually do this on a daily basis! Check out “1768 ft Commute to Work”.
That’s it for this year. From all of us here at E&SSG we hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and an awesome and safe new year!
If you ever have any questions please call us
800.770.7767