SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR

RIGGING & SLING

TRAINED,
QUALIFIED
OPERATORS

SAFE
LIFTING
EFFECTIVE,
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE

PROPER
EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
THE SAFETY TRIANGLE

Rigging - Plan
Who is responsible for the
rigging?
Is the equipment in safe
condition?
Are the working load limits
adequate?
Will the load be under
control?
Are there any unusual
loading or environmental
conditions?
3

Rigging Basics The Load

Load weight may be obtained
from:

equipment nameplate
packing list
drawings
shipping tag
weighing the load
an estimate or calculation of
load weight

General Safety Guidelines

Pre-use and periodic

inspection is required
on all sling and
rigging components

OSHA 1926.251, 1910.184

Periodic inspection
frequency/records

Periodic inspection
performed by ?

Frequent inspection
frequency/records

Label*

Chain slings

OSHA 1910.184(e)(3) at
least annually with
records
ASME: normal annually;
severe service monthly
to quarterly with records

OSHA competent
person
ASME - competent
person

OSHA before use

(1910.184(d) w/o records
ASME: normal monthly;
severe service daily
to weekly w/o records

OSHA size, grade, rated

cap., & reach
ASME: mfgr., grade, size,
no. of legs, reach,
rated load for hitches

Wire rope
slings

OSHA none
ASME based on service, at
least annually with
records

OSHA no periodic
ASME competent
person

OSHA before use

(1910.184(d)
ASME daily w/o records

OSHA none
ASME mfgr., size, rated
load for type of hitch
& angle

Synthetic
web slings

OSHA none
ASME recommended at
least annually based on
service, records
recommended

OSHA no periodic
ASME - competent
person

OSHA before use

(1910.184(d)
ASME - daily w/o records

OSHA rating @ each type

of hitch, type of
material
ASME mfgr., mfgr. Stock
no., rated load for each
type of hitch, material
type & construction

Metal mesh
slings

OSHA none
ASME - based on service, at
least annually; records
recommended

OSHA no periodic
ASME - competent
person

OSHA before use

(1910.184(d)
ASME daily w/o records

OSHA rated @ vertical

and choker hitch
loading
ASME mfgr., rated load
for hitch & angle,
width and gauge

* Sling I.D., per ASME B30.9, shall be maintained to be legible for the life of the sling

General Safety Guidelines

Rigging equipment
shall not be loaded
beyond
its
recommended
working load limit
(WLL)
OSHA 1926.251

General Safety Guidelines

When not in use,

rigging shall be
removed from work
area and properly
stored

OSHA 1926.251

General Safety Guidelines

During lifting, personnel shall
be alert for possible snagging

ASME B30.9

General Safety Guidelines

Slings should be long
enough so that rated
load is adequate

ASME B30.9

10

General Safety Guidelines

Multiple leg slings shall be
selected so as not to
introduce into the leg, a
load greater than permitted

Note: select multiple leg slings based on two

legs supporting the entire weight of the load and
the other leg(s) balancing the load.

ASME B30.9

11

General Safety Guidelines

Shock loading should
be avoided

ASME B30.9

12

General Safety Guidelines

The load shall be applied
to the center of the hook
(unless the hook is
designed
for
point
loading)

ASME B30.9

13

General Safety Guidelines

When used in a choker
hitch, prevent the load
on any portion of the
sling from exceeding
the rated load

ASME B30.9

14

General Safety Guidelines

Slings shall not be

shortened by knotting
or twisting
ASME B30.9

15

General Safety Guidelines

Slings should not be pulled
from under a load when the
load is resting on the sling

ASME B30.9

16

General Safety Guidelines

Slings
should
not be dragged
on the floor

ASME B30.9

17

General Safety Guidelines

Sharp corners in contact with the sling
should be padded

ASME B30.9

18

General Safety Guidelines

Do not place body, fingers, etc.
between the sling and load or
hook

ASME B30.9

19

General Safety Guidelines

Personnel shall not

ride the sling (or
load)

ASME B30.9

20

General Safety Guidelines

Personnel should
stand clear of
suspended load

ASME B30.9

21

General Safety Guidelines

And not Be the

suspended load!!

22

No Homemade Slings

WARNING
No wire rope sling shall be fabricated using wire rope clips!!

Preferred sling construction is to use

a Flemish eye splice with a mechanical
sleeve (turn back construction is not
recommendable)
23