Inspection of Rigging Equipment
Inspection Is a Decision, Not a Ritual
Rigging inspection has three tiers: pre-use inspection by the user before each shift, periodic inspection by a designated person at employer-set intervals (commonly documented), and inspection after any shock load, overload, or event that could cause damage. Written records support the periodic check and prove the program exists.
Know removal criteria by component. Wire rope slings: ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one lay, plus kinking, crushing, bird-caging, heat damage, corrosion, and damaged fittings or splices. Chain slings: cracks, nicks, gouges, wear at bearing surfaces, and measurable stretch over a section of links. Synthetic web and round slings: cuts, snags, burns, ultraviolet degradation, exposed core yarns, and broken stitching. Hooks: throat opening spread beyond the manufacturer's limit (often 15%), twist, and wear. Shackles: wear at the bow or pin.
Traps: the idea that a missing or illegible tag can be overlooked if you "know" the capacity - it cannot; unidentified rigging comes out of service. Watch also for field repairs, paint over damage, and assuming an annual inspection replaces daily pre-use checks.
Rule of thumb: any doubt means out of service. Tag it, pull it from the rack, and route it to a qualified person. A sling is cheap compared with being wrong.