Rigging gear is subject to some of the most stringent testing for wear and tear possible for a good reason. In almost all cases, failure to maintain gear or notice flaws, wear, and tear can lead to catastrophic failure. In a worst-case scenario, it can lead to severe injury or death to anyone relying on its integrity. Workers and supervisors alike have to take special care to dispose of gear that’s not up to spec to be sure that nobody attempts to use them. OSHA guidelines go in detail of the process, but we have a general guide here.
Disposal of Damaged Wire Rope
Wire ropes, just like us, have lifespans. Different operating conditions may affect the lifespan of a wire rope. Operating conditions such as bending, stresses, loading conditions, shock load, corrosion, design, environment, and materials handled all play a role in how long a wire rope will last.
Wire ropes undergo inspections to make sure they are safe to use. If during an examination, any of the below damages are observed, it will indicate that the wire rope is unsafe to use and needs to be disposed of:
- Broken wires
- Severe corrosion
- Wear and tear
- A ⅓ reduction in outer wire diameter
- Damage of end fittings
- Distortion or bird caging
If the wire rope is deemed damaged, it will be removed from service. The rope is usually cut into smaller pieces to make it more manageable before it’s disposed of. This will also help accommodate the needs of most recycling facilities that accept damaged wire ropes. Cutting the rope into smaller pieces also helps to make sure it will not go back into service.
When disposing of wire rope slings and wire rope cables keep in mind that:
- Cut into 3’ to 4’ sections
- Destroy the ends of the wire rope to prevent further use
- If the sling body is long enough to allow for an eye to be reformed, it should be cut shorter
- Remove any tags and labels from sling
- Use proper PPE when handling cut wire
- Place scrap in metal recycling bins
Disposal of Damaged Alloy Chain Slings
Alloy chain slings are durable but are still susceptible to being damaged. Many environmental factors such as exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, wear and tear, stretching, kinks, binding, or gouges in the links are criteria for removal.
Rejected chain slings need to be quarantined and removed from service. Take the following steps when disposing of chain sling so it cannot be usable:
- Remove tags and labels
- Cut off master links and sling hooks
- Cut into smaller 3’ to 4’ sections
- Use proper PPE when handling cut chain
Disposal of Damaged Synthetic Web Slings
Nylon/polyester web slings are strong enough for many different lifting situations, but can also have the benefit of being soft and flexible. Web slings have a higher resistance to mildew and some chemicals but can still get damaged.
If a web sling experiences any of the following during inspection, it should be removed from service:
- Acid or caustic burns
- Heat damage, charring of any part
- Snags, punctures, tears
- Broken stitching
- Elongation exceeding manufacturers recommendation
- Distortion of fittings
When you are disposing of web slings, cutting the eye is the easiest way to render the sling unusable. If the sling body is elongated exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendation, it should be cut into even smaller pieces. Web slings can be disposed of as general trash.
Disposal of Damaged Synthetic Round Slings
Synthetic round slings are strong, flexible, and pliable. It can adjust to and tighten around loads better than other slings. One benefit of round slings is that they have a jacket that provides an extra level of protection.
During a round sling inspection, you want to identify potential issues and take action before the sling is used. It is essential to look for these following signs of excessive wear:
- Heat damage
- Acid burns
- Holes, tears, abrasive wear, snags
- Broken core yarns
- Weld splatter that exposes core yarns
- Discoloration or brittle areas
- Distortion of fittings
If a round sling fails inspection, the following actions need to be taken to render the sling damaged:
- Cut the body in half
- If the sling is braided or has an eye on each end, cut the eyes
- Remove tags and labels
- Place in recycling bins
Disposal of Rigging Hardware
Rigging hardware is part of lifting purposes that include shackles, links, rings, eyebolts, hoist rings, and wire rope clips. Before each shift and lifting application, an inspection is performed. Damages to the rigging hardware include:
- Bent, twisted, elongated or cracked load-bearing components
- 10% or more reduction of the original dimension
- Missing rated load identification
- Loose or missing nuts bolts or other fasteners
- Too many nicks, gouges or corrosion
The most effective way of disposal can be done by:
- Torch cutting
- Remove pins or latches
- Remove tags and labels
Disposal in a Nutshell
When disposing of rigging hardware, wire rope, or slings, it is best to render the items as damaged and unsalvageable. There are no clear standards developed by industry authorities such as OSHA, ANSI, or AWRF for disposing of failed lifting equipment.
Remember to only dispose of slings if you have been trained or authorized and always use caution as cut pieces may be sharp.
Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging
At Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging, Inc., we pride ourselves in providing you and your company comprehensive wire rope and rigging solutions. If you have wire rope or lifting equipment that is unsalvageable and are unclear about what to do with them, give us a call. We are more than happy to help!