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ConstructionReading the rigging tag before the lift
Every sling, shackle and hook carries a marking from its manufacturer with the load it may safely hold. Before the beam is hooked, you read that marking, check it matches the hitch you will use, and compare it with the weight of the beam. No legible marking, no lift with that piece.
Free to startScenarios
- A wire rope sling with two legs.
- A synthetic web sling.
- A natural or synthetic fiber rope sling.
- An alloy steel chain sling with its hooks.
The steps
- Find the permanently affixed, legible identification marking from the manufacturer that shows the recommended safe working load.
- If the marking is missing or cannot be read, do not use that piece.
- Wire rope sling: the marking states the size, the rated capacity for the hitches used and the angle it is based on, and the number of legs if more than one.
- Synthetic web sling: the marking shows the manufacturer's name or trademark, the rated capacity for the type of hitch and the type of material.
- Fiber rope sling: the marking states the rated capacity for the hitches used and the angle it is based on, the type of fiber and the number of legs if more than one.
- Alloy steel chain sling: the marking states the size, grade, rated capacity and sling manufacturer; hooks, rings and links used with it are rated at least as much as the chain.
- Know the weight of the beam: from a source recognized by the industry, such as its manufacturer, or calculated from its measured dimensions and its known weight per foot; when the operator asks, give it before the lift.
- Never load a sling or a shackle past the working load limit on its marking for the hitch you use.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Rigging equipment is never used without its affixed, legible identification marking.
- Custom grabs, hooks, clamps and other lifting accessories are marked with their safe working load and proof-tested to 125 percent of their rated load before use.
To pass
- Every piece of rigging read before the lift, with the capacity for the hitch actually used.
- The beam's weight known from a reliable source and within the marked capacity.
- The crane is not operated past its rated capacity.
Official source
Federal · OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.251 and 1926.1417(o)
29 CFR 1926.251, Rigging equipment for material handling
GovInfo publishes 29 CFR 1926.251 free: the identification marking each type of rigging must carry and the rule never to load it past its safe working load.
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