How Frequently Rigging Equipment Should Be Inspected

When it comes to rigging and lifting hardware, regular equipment inspection is crucial. It comes with plenty of benefits, the most critical being workplace safety. With scheduled inspection, you can detect and prevent equipment failure that may cause extensive damage, not to mention fatal injuries. Other benefits include increased productivity and reduced maintenance and repairs.

However, like most people, you may also be wondering how frequently you should be inspecting rigging equipment.

Let’s take a look at different types of inspection processes to help you in this regard.

A. Standards Related to Equipment Inspection and Removal Criteria

Lifting and rigging equipment is governed by a combination of regulatory requirements and industry guidance. OSHA standards establish baseline safety expectations, including inspection before use and removal of damaged equipment. In addition, manufacturers’ instructions and widely accepted industry standards are often used to support inspection and removal decisions where OSHA does not provide product-specific detail.

You will need to go through product-specific inspection and removal criteria. But it all comes down to three basic types of inspections.

Let’s see what these are.

1. Initial Inspection

This equipment inspection is a recommended industry practice. You will need to carry out an initial inspection upon receiving the rigging hardware from your supplier or manufacturer.

It will help you verify if the rigging hardware complies with the prescribed industry standards. So, you must get this inspection done regardless of whether the equipment is new, altered, modified, or repaired.

The initial inspection includes:

• Checking the equipment for missing or illegible identification/tags
• Looking for cracks or break in the components
• Identifying equipment with excessive wear and tear
• Checking the hardware for manufacturing or modification defects

2. Daily or Frequent Inspection

In addition to the initial inspection, you will need to perform frequent inspections depending on how much you use the equipment. In most cases, inspecting rigging equipment every day is necessary.

OSHA requires rigging equipment to be inspected prior to use and removed from service if defects or damage are found. In construction operations, inspections are typically performed before each shift and as needed during use. In general industry settings, inspection frequency may vary depending on equipment type, usage, and manufacturer guidance.

The process usually involves hands-on visual inception to identify defects, damages, or deformities in the rigging equipment and its components. Your inspection checklist will change depending on the type of rigging equipment. For example, when inspecting synthetic web slings, you should be looking for chemical burns, heat damage, discoloration, and damaged threading.

However, when inspecting chain slings, you will need to check for corrosion, pitting, twists, bents, and nicks. Weld splatters and arc strikes are also a sign of damaged chain slings. If you see any slings or sling components with these signs, make sure to remove them from use immediately. Also, never return repaired or modified equipment to the service unless approved by a qualified person.

The best practice is to designate a competent person for frequent lifting equipment inspection. The person can be an individual or your crew member who is considered competent as per OSHA standards.

3. Periodic Inspection

Certain OSHA standards require documented periodic inspections for specific types of lifting equipment, such as alloy steel chain slings. For other rigging hardware, OSHA does not mandate a universal annual inspection interval. In those cases, inspection frequency should be determined based on manufacturer instructions, service conditions, and the employer’s inspection program, under the direction of a qualified person.

You will need to consider the following factors to decide if you need inspection more than once a year.

• How frequently do you use the equipment?
• How harsh are the service/work conditions?
• The nature of load-handling activities/applications.
• Experience gained on the service life of the equipment used under similar circumstances.

Based on usage conditions and service environment, inspection intervals are commonly established through manufacturer guidance and industry-accepted practices, with oversight from a qualified person.

• Yearly inspection for equipment meant for everyday use.
• Monthly or quarterly inspection for equipment subject to severe service/work conditions.
• Customized inspection schedule (as recommended by a qualified person) for equipment used for special services.

If your rigging equipment gets used round the clock in extreme working conditions, you will need a customized inspection plan to ensure rigging/ lifting operation safety. Moreover, you will have to maintain a record of these periodic inspections to comply with the required OSHA/ASME standards.

B. What Type of Rigging Equipment Needs Inspection?

Rigging hardware comes in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple, lightweight synthetic web slings to heavy-duty steel chains, shackles, hoists, and hooks. Regardless of how simple and robust a rigging component looks, you have to make sure to inspect it. Even the smallest rigging component, when left unchecked, can compromise your workplace safety.

Make sure to create a schedule for inspecting rigging equipment and stick to it. Many times, manufacturers also provide instruction manuals detailing step-by-step inspection processes. You can use these instructions or consult a qualified inspection provider to create your schedule.

C. Keep Workplace Safety Front and Center

Whether it’s a minor rigging operation or a major one, safety always comes first. Better workplace safety equates to higher employee morale and health. That, in turn, results in higher productivity. With proper safety measures in place, you could end up lifting/rigging more loads.

Plus, fewer accidents mean lower costs for unplanned replacements and repairs. Besides, the consequences of life-threatening injuries and human casualties are often far-reaching. That’s why workplace safety should be your priority. And it begins with regular inspection of all your rigging and lifting equipment.

OSHA Inspection Requirements vs. Inspection Program Practices

OSHA establishes minimum inspection requirements, including pre-use inspection and removal of damaged or defective rigging equipment from service. Employers are responsible for ensuring equipment is safe for use.

For rigging hardware not specifically addressed by OSHA inspection schedules, employers should develop inspection programs based on manufacturer instructions, application severity, service conditions, and operational experience. These programs should be managed and reviewed by a qualified person.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, inspecting your rigging equipment is the first step towards budling a safer and more productive work environment. Although there are product-specific inspection and removal criteria for rigging hardware, it comes down to initial, frequent, and periodic inspections. Getting these three types of inspections right is the only way to be OSHA/ASME compliant. In this regard, make sure to understand different inspection measures in detail.

However, if you are unsure how to proceed with the inspection, consider hiring a third-party inspection provider like us. Besides selling rigging hardware, HHI also provides various testing and inspection services.

For more information, feel free to contact us today!