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Shipyard Employment eTool: Shipbreaking
General Requirements Shipbuilding Ship Repair Shipbreaking Barge Cleaning

Material Handling » Ropes, Chains, and Slings
 
Ropes, chains, and slings are attached to loads that need to be lifted or moved. Failure of this equipment can cause the load to fall, injuring workers.

The following topics are addressed below: Additional Resources
Wire rope slings used to lift vessel module
Figure 1: Wire rope slings used to lift vessel module.
Note: Confined space entry is one of the leading hazards associated with barge cleaning. Review the Shipbreaking: Confined/Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres chapter for information on how to protect workers from this hazard.

Natural (Manila) and Synthetic Rope and Slings
Potential Hazards:  

Sling failures of slings due to abrasions, cuts, overloading, improper storage and use, environmental conditions, and chemical deterioration may result in serious accidents.  

Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • The "safe working load" of manila rope and manila rope slings must not be exceeded. [1915.112(a)(1)]
  • The safe working load of conventional three-strand construction-fiber rope must not be exceeded. [1910.184(h)(1)(i)]
  • Splices and eye splices of fiber rope, manila rope, synthetic-fiber rope slings must be in accordance with minimum requirements and manufacturer's recommendations. [1910.184(h)(3)] See Figure 2.
  • Knots must not be used in lieu of splices. [1910.184(h)(3)(v)]
  • Clamps not designed specifically for fiber ropes must not be used for splicing. [1910.184(h)(3)(vi)]
  • Fiber rope slings must not be used if end attachments in contact with the rope have sharp edges or projections.  
  • Natural and synthetic-fiber rope slings must be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:
Proper eye splice of natural fiber rope
Figure 2: Proper eye splice of natural fiber rope.
Note: Only fiber rope slings made from new rope must be used. Using repaired or reconditioned fiber rope slings is prohibited. [1910.184(h)(6)]
 
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Synthetic Web Slings
Potential Hazards:  

Failure of slings due to broken stitching, perforations, burns, abrasion, cuts, overloading, improper storage and use, environmental conditions, and chemical deterioration may result in serious accidents.

Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Slings must be marked with the rating capacity. [1910.184(i)(1)]
  • Fittings must be: 
  • Stitching must be used to attach end fittings to webbing and to form eyes. [1910.184(i)(4)]
  • The safe working load of synthetic web slings must not be exceeded. [1910.184(i)(5)]
  • Precautions should be taken when selecting and using web slings around chemicals and in extreme temperatures. [1910.184(i)]
  • If repaired, slings must be in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and proof tested. [1910.184(i)(8)(i) and (ii)]
  • Synthetic-web slings must be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:
Synthetic web sling used to lift gun barrel; capacity rating tag attached
Figure 3: Synthetic web sling used to lift gun barrel; capacity rating tag attached.
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Wire Rope and Wire-Rope Slings
Potential Hazards:  

Failure of slings due to broken wires, kinking, crushing, bird caging, overloading, improper storage and use, and environmental conditions may result in serious accidents.

Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • The safe working load of wire rope and wire rope slings must not be exceeded. [1915.112(b)(1)]
    • Wire-rope slings do not require identification tags.
    • To determine the rating, the size and type of rope must be known.
  • Protruding ends of strands in splices on slings and bridles must be covered or blunted. [1915.112(b)(2)]
  • Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes (see Figure 5.):
    • The number and and spacing of clips must be. in accordance with Table G-6 of 1915.118. [1915.112(b)(3)]
    • The U-bolt must be applied so that the "U" section is in contact with the dead end of the rope.  [1915.112(b)(3)]
      • "Never saddle a dead horse." – A common Rigging Industry phrase.
  • Wire rope must not be secured by knots. [1915.112(b)(4)]
  • Safe operating temperatures must not be exceeded. [1910.184(f)(3)]
  • Wire rope slings must be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present: (see Figure 6.)   
    • Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one rope lay. [1910.184(f)(5)(i)]
    • Wear or scraping of one-third the original diameter of outside individual wires. [1910.184(f)(5)(ii)]
    • Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope structure. [1910.184(f)(5)(iii)]
    • Evidence of heat damage. [1910.184(f)(5)(iv)]
    • End attachments that are cracked, deformed, or worn. [1910.184(f)(5)(v)]
    • Hooks that have been opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook. [1910.184(f)(5)(vi)]
    • Corrosion of the rope or end attachments. [1910.184(f)(5)(vii)]
 Proper use of wire-rope sling to lift vessel module
Figure 4: Proper use of wire-rope sling to lift vessel module.

Diagram showing proper use of U-bolt clamps
Figure 5: Diagram showing proper use of U-bolt clamps.

Inspection of wire-rope slings
Figure 6: Inspection of wire-rope slings.

Diagram showing types of wire rope damage
Figure 7: Diagram showing types of wire rope damage.
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Chains and Chain Slings
Potential Hazards:  

Failure of chains and chain slings are typically due to overloading, sharp edges, environmental deterioration, and exposure to heat, perhaps from electrical arc, welding, and cutting torches. Using damaged chains and chain slings may result in serious accidents.

 Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • The safe working load of chains and chain slings must not be exceeded. [1915.112(c)(1)]
  • All chain slings including hooks and fasteners, must be visually inspected before use. [1915.112(c)(2) and 1915.113(b)(3)]
  • All chains and chain slings must be thoroughly inspected and tagged every three months. [1915.112(c)(2)]
  • Chain slings, including hooks, must be removed from service when they are defective. [1915.112(c)(4) and 1915.113(b)(3)] This may include components that are:
    • Stretched
    • Kinked
    • Bent
    • Twisted
  • Repaired chains must be proof tested before returning to service. [1915.112(c)(5)]
  • A load must not be lifted with a chain that has a kink or a knot in it. [1915.112(c)(7)]
  • A chain must not be shortened by bolting, wiring, or knotting.  [1915.112(c)(7)]
Additional Resources:
Chain slings used to attach vessel section to crane's wire-rope slings
Figure 8: Chain slings used to attach vessel section to crane's wire-rope slings.

Proper use and connection of chain and wire-rope slings with shackles
Figure 9: Proper use and connection of chain and wire-rope slings with shackles.

Wire rope sling inspection tag
Figure 10: Wire rope sling inspection tag.
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