No matter what form of construction you’re working in, it’s incredibly important that you possess the necessary rigging training and material handling safety knowledge to ensure the safety of yourself and colleagues. If you’re a business owner who works in construction, mining, or any other similar industry, it’s vital you understand the importance of putting your employees through OSHA-compliant rigging and materials handling courses.
Many workers lose their lives due to work-related rigging accidents every year. Many of these issues occur due to mistakes that should never have happened, and they often are caused by uneducated employees who don’t understand the vital components of keeping the rigging equipment inspected and carrying out all the proper rigging practices. In this article, we’re going to take a look at visual inspects you can make and also how to choose safer wiring options should you wire rope need a replacement.
Follow These Safe Rigging Training Practices and Procedures
Inspecting the cables
There are a couple of visual inspections you can carry out. First, look for stretching. If stretching the wire rope causes its diameter to reduce by around 1/16th, then it needs to be replaced. Also replace immediately if there’s any visible rust.
If the wire rope is used in harsh conditions and has been burned or cut, then you can remove damage ends by cutting and seizing them. However, if this isn’t possible, then the rope needs to be replaced.
You should also remember that the inside core of a wire rope could be damaged while the outside appears to be fine. If there are many broken wires and notches, then it could be damaged on the inside of the wire rope and not visible on the outside.
You should not repair cables that have been broken like this. Instead, you need to replace them completely because their strength has already been compromised. Especially if wire ropes are being used in stressful situations, do not attempt to repair them. Doing so could result in an injury or even a fatal accident should the rope snap or suffer further damage.
Choosing the safest wire options
To start, it’s important to understand that safety comes with the quality of your equipment. A poorly-made wire rope is going to snap under pressure and could even be advertised as being stronger than it really is. To avoid this, you need to purchase safe rigging and wire options from trustworthy brands and companies that have been in the business for a long time and have always observed safe rigging practices and procedures for their customers. This will ensure the quality of the product you’re buying, and also the safety of your employees.
It doesn’t matter what the wire used for—you need to inspect it for safety reasons and also trust in well-known brands with a good reputation in their fields. When buying wire rope, make sure you’re looking at leading solutions who have worked with many other companies in the past. No matter what industry use you have for wire rope, it’s vital you seek out the best product to ensure safety, longevity and ultimately a more efficient workflow.
We’re a Company You Can Trust
Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging has been in the business of safe rigging practices since 1991! Years of experience has taught us how to sell quality products and offer certified rigging training for a more thorough look at safe rigging practices and procedures. Learn more about rigging for entertainment, mining, and so much more by contacting us today.