Lifting and Crane Safety

Safe use of wire rope/sling

Generally made from wire with
tensile
strength of 180 kg/mm2
(grade 180).

Termination by mechanical splicing

- talurits or ferrules.

Versatile , lightweight in relation

to their strength.

Single leg slings.

Multi-leg slings

General Purpose Plain Steel Wire Rope

6 x 19 Class Fiber Core

6 x 19 Class IWRC

6 x 37 Class Fiber Core

6 x 37 Class IWRC

Standard lengths of 10, 50, 100, 200, and 300 ft., as well as any continuous length up to 5,000 ft.
All are preformed and lubricated.
6 x 19 Class and 6 x 37 Class Fiber Core, Regular These ropes have a fiber core which
makes them more flexible than IWRC constructions, but also weaker and less crush resistant. 6 x 19
class constructions are more abrasion resistant yet less flexible than 6 x 37 class constructions of
the same diameter. Both meet Fed. Spec. RR-W-410.
6 x 19 Class and 6 x 37 Class IWRC, Premium An independent wire rope center makes
these ropes stronger and more crush resistant than regular 6 x 19 and 6 x 37 steel wire rope. Both
meet Fed. Spec. RR-W-410.
6 x 19 Class and 6 x 37 Class IWRC, Heavy Duty Premium These are the strongest of all
the plain steel wire ropes we offer.

Definitions
Construction Defines the design of the wire rope which includes the following: number of strands, number
of wires per strand, and the core composition. A 7 x 3 hollow core, for example, has 7 strands, each containing
3 wires, closed around a hollow core.
The following four common constructions are known as class constructions: 6 x 19, 6 x 37, 7 x 19, and
8 x 19. Within a given class construction, the number of wires is allowed to vary within established industry
guidelines. For example, a 6 x 37 class fiber core rope may have 27 to 49 wires in the strand, with no more
than 18 wires exposed.
Hollow or Coreless Wire rope without a center core.
Fiber Core Wire rope or cord with vegetable or synthetic fiber as the core (axial member) of the rope.
IWRC Known as the Independent Wire Rope Center. A wire rope is used as the core (axial member)
within a larger wire rope.
Strand Several wires laid helically about an axis. Single strands are used alone or as the core of a rope.
Multiple strands are closed together to form a rope.
Preformed Wire Rope A process by which strands are permanently formed into the spiral shape they
will assume as part of the rope. Nonpreformed wire rope tends to straighten out (fray).
Lubrication Provided on most rope to increase service life.
Abrasion The surface wear on the wires of a rope. As the diameter of the outside wires increases, the
abrasion resistance increases.
Fatigue The progressive fracturing of a rope when subject to bending. Fatigue resistance increases as the
number of wires increases.
Flexibility A measure of the rope's ability to bend in an arc. Typically, small diameter and fiber core rope
are more flexible than large diameter or IWRC rope. For rope of the same diameter, flexibility increases as the
number of wires in the construction increases.
Crushing The distortion of the shape of a rope or its individual strands when subjected to external
forces. This is especially true when a rope is used on drums or sheaves. In general, IWRC and strand core
ropes are more crush resistant than fiber and hollow core ropes.
Breaking Strength The strength at which new, unused rope will break under a static tensile load. As a
rope wears over time, the breaking strength is naturally reduced. Breaking strength should never be
considered the rope's working load. To determine working load, the breaking strength must be reduced by
a design factor (or safety factor) which varies depending on the type of machine and installation used.

The correct way to measure wire rope is

with the faces of the caliper in contact
with the crowns of two opposing
strands.

Breaking Strength

Type of Service

Minimum Safety Factor

Guy Ropes

3.5

Wire Rope Slings

Overhead Gantry Cranes

Small Electric and Air Hoists

Example: 41,200 lbs. breaking strength rope in an

overhead gantry crane application

Maximum work load =

41,200 lbs. / 6 = 6,866 lbs.

WIRE ROPE

Wire-rope lays

Wire-rope cores

6 19 classification of wire rope

Safe use of wire rope/sling

Majority of slings used should be fitted with

thimbles to utilise the strength of the rope.
With soft eye slings , strength is reduced if
eye is supporting load via a small diameter,
e.g. shackle pin.

Safe Working Loads

In accordance to BS 1290

i) Single Leg Sling = SWL of one leg

ii) Double Leg Sling = SWL of one leg x 1.4
iii) Three and four leg slings =
SWL of one leg x 2.1
Note : SWL of wire rope increases when
diameter of wire rope increases.

Pre-Use Examination - Wire

Rope Slings
Prior to using sling , the following checks
should be made :

The SWL is adequate for load.

The colour coding (if applicable) is

current and the sling has an ID mark.

Pre-Use Examination - Wire

Rope Slings
Examine individual leg along
entire length , check for
Wear

Corrosion

Abrasion

Mechanical Damage

Broken Wires

Pre-Use Examination - Wire

Rope Slings

Examine each ferrule and ensure correct size

has been fitted.
Check the end of loop does not terminate
inside ferrule.
Ferrule should be free from cracks and
deformities.
Examine each thimble for correct fitting,
snagging, damage and elongation.

Pre-Use Examination - Wire

Rope Slings

Stretched thimbles/eyes indicate possible

overload.
Examine wire rope around thimbles. It is
often abraded due to sling being dragged
over rough surfaces.
If fitted with hooks, check for wear ,
corrosion and cracking and ensure safety
latch functions.

Safety

With multi-leg slings, the SWL marked is

applicable to working angles up to 90
degrees included.
Do NOT exceed this angle unless sling has
been rated and specifically marked for
greater angle.

Safe use of man made

slings

Consists of web slings and round slings.

Available in five basic formats:

Synthetic-Web Slings
Synthetic-web sling types

Synthetic-Web Slings
Synthetic-web sling types

Safe use of man made

slings
Format

Lifting Modes

I) With soft becketed eyes

-Multi- purpose

ii) With D links

- Straight or basket
lift

iii) With D link & reevable -Straight, basket &

link
choke lift
iv) Endless (Flat webbing)

- Multi purpose

v) Endless (Round sling)

- Multi purpose

General Duty Web Slings

Flat Eye-and-Eye

Twisted Eye-and-Eye

Endless

Slings have a red warning core that shows when the jacket is worn and the sling should be
removed from service. A sewn-on tag on each sling shows the material, length, and work load
limits. Maximum temperature is 180 F. Meet OSHA standard 1910.184 and ANSI specification
B30.9.
Flat eye-and-eye slings (also known as Type 44 or Type 3) collapse into a flat position,
making sling removal easier in tight spaces.
wisted eye-and-eye slings (also known as Type 55 or Type 4) have eyes that are turned 90
to form a better choker hitch. This allows the ends to nest together when used in a single-hook
basket configuration.
Endless slings (also known as Type 66 or Type 5) are the most universal general duty slings.
The wear/load bearing point changes position every time the sling is used, which increases the
sling's life.

Safety
When using single slings in pairs or endless
slings :

Be aware of reduction in sling capacity due

to angles and sling configurations.

Safe use of man made

slings

1 tonne capacity per 50 mm of width of

simplex slings (single thickness)
1 tonne capacity per 25 mm of width of
duplex slings ( double thickness).
Consider the lifting mode, See figure 18.2
and table 3

Pre-Use Examination and

Safety of Man Made Slings

Before use, visually examine entire length

and check for :
The SWL is adequate for load
The colour coding (if applicable) is current
and the sling has an ID mark.
Cuts, tears or chaffing.
Burst stitching (esp round the eyes)

Pre-Use Examination and

Safety of Man Made Slings

Chemical damage
Heat damage
Ingress of foreign bodies into fibres
Distortion/wear in the metal eyes (where
fitted)
Do not use round slings with cuts found in
the outer protective cover.

Pre-Use Examination and

Safety of Man Made Slings

Avoid using slings in alkali conditions. Can

cause polyester in sling to disintegrate.

Avoid positioning slings around sharp

corner. (Figure 18.4).
Use packing around sharp edges.

Good and bad rigging practices

Good and bad rigging practices

Good and bad rigging practices

Good and bad rigging practices