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General Requirements
Shipbuilding
Ship Repair
Shipbreaking
Barge Cleaning |
Materials Handling (including Gear and Equipment for Rigging) » Ropes, Chains, and Slings |
Ropes, chains, and slings are attached to loads that are being lifted or moved. Failure of
this equipment can cause the load to fall, injuring workers.
The following topics are addressed below:
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 |

Figure 1: Spliced eye in natural fiber rope connecting an oval ring.
Potential Hazards:
Failure of slings due to abrasion, cuts, overloading, improper storage and use,
environmental conditions and chemical deterioration may
result in serious accidents.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
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The "safe working
load" of manila rope and manila rope slings must not be exceeded.
[29 CFR 1915.112(a)(1)]
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The safe working
load of conventional three-strand construction-fiber rope must not be exceeded.
[29 CFR 1910.184(h)(1)(i)]
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Splices and eye splices of fiber rope, manila rope, synthetic-fiber
rope slings must be in accordance with minimum
requirements and manufacturer's recommendations. [29 CFR 1910.184(h)(3)] (See Figure 2.)
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Knots must not be used in lieu of splices. [29 CFR 1910.184(h)(3)(v)]
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Clamps not designed specifically for fiber ropes must not be used for splicing.
[29 CFR 1910.184(h)(3)(vi)]
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Fiber rope slings must not be used if end
attachments in contact with the rope have sharp edges or projections.
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Natural- and synthetic-fiber rope slings must be immediately
removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:
- Distortion of hardware in the sling. [29 CFR 1910.184(h)(5)(vi)]
Note: Only fiber rope slings made from new rope must be used. Use of
repaired or reconditioned fiber rope slings is prohibited. [29 CFR 1910.184(h)(6)]
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Synthetic Web Slings |

Figure 2: Capacity marking tag (white) on reinforced synthetic web sling.
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:
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Slings must be marked with rating capacity. [29 CFR 1910.184(i)(1)]
- Fittings must be:
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Stitching must be used to attach end fittings to webbing and to form
eyes. [29 CFR 1910.184(i)(4)]
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The safe working load of synthetic web slings must not be exceeded. [29 CFR 1910.184(i)(5)]
- Precautions should be taken when selecting and using web slings around chemicals and in extreme temperatures.
[29 CFR 1910.184(i)]
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If repaired, slings must be in accordance with manufacturer's
specifications and proof tested. [29 CFR 1910.184(i)(8)(i)
and (ii)]
-
Synthetic-web slings must be
immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are
present:
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Wire Rope and Wire-Rope Slings |

Figure 3: Ends of wire rope sling covered with compression fittings.

Figure 4: Correct way to apply U-bolts to form an eye in wire rope.
 Figure 5: Illustrations of damaged wire rope.

Figure 6: Inspection of chain slings.

Figure 7: Diagram showing types of wire rope damage.
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. [29 CFR 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. [29 CFR 1915.112(b)(2)]
- Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes:
- Number and and spacing of clips must be in accordance with Table G-6
of 29 CFR 1915.118.
[29 CFR 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. [29 CFR 1915.112(b)(3)]
- "Never saddle a dead horse." -- Rigging Industry common phrase.
- Wire rope must not be secured by knots. [29 CFR 1915.112(b)(4)]
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Safe operating temperatures must not be exceeded. [29 CFR 1910.184(f)(3)]
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Wire rope slings must be immediately removed from
service if any of the following conditions are present: (See Figure 6.)
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Chains and Chain Slings |

Figure 8: Chain slings used to attach vessel section to crane's wire-rope slings.

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

Figure 10: Wire rope sling inspection tag.
Potential Hazards:
Failure of chains and chain slings are typically due to overloading,
sharp edges, environmental deterioration, and exposure to heat (for
example, from electrical arc, welding, and cutting torches). Use of damaged chains and
chain slings may
result in serious accidents.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Additional Resources:
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