TARMS Pakistan
SAFE LIFTING GEAR INSPECTION
Inspect Before Use. Remove Defects Immediately. Prevent Dropped Loads.
Lifting gear must be inspected before use by a competent person, and any damaged or defective sling must be removed from service immediately. OSHA requires daily pre-use inspection of slings and attachments, with additional inspections during use where conditions demand it.
Why inspection matters
A failed sling, shackle, hook, or lifting accessory can cause dropped loads, serious injury, equipment damage, and production loss. Lifting equipment must be fit for purpose, properly marked, maintained, and supported by examination records where required.
Required actions before every lift
- Verify that the lifting gear is the correct type for the load, lifting method, and environment.
- Check the identification tag or marking. Do not use gear with missing, illegible, or doubtful identification.
- Confirm the Working Load Limit or rated capacity is adequate for the actual load and lifting angle.
- Inspect all components fully before use, including sling body, master link, hooks, shackles, thimbles, ferrules, end fittings, and safety latches.
- Ensure the gear is not twisted, kinked, knotted, crushed, stretched, or improperly rigged.
- Confirm edge protection is provided where sharp corners can damage the sling.
- Make sure the gear has not been modified, makeshift repaired, or fitted with non-approved attachments.
- Check that the load is balanced, the center of gravity is understood, and the lifting points are suitable.
- Keep people clear of suspended loads and never allow anyone to ride the load or stand under it. OSHA specifically highlights avoiding walking under suspended loads and using slings that should have been removed from service.
Stop use immediately if any of these defects are found
General defects
- Missing or unreadable identification tag
- Unapproved repair or alteration
- Heat damage, arc strike, chemical attack, or severe corrosion
- Distortion, bending, crushing, elongation, or other visible deformation
- Evidence of overloading
Wire rope slings
- Broken wires
- Kinks, birdcaging, crushing, flattening, or severe abrasion
- Damaged ferrules, clips, sockets, or thimbles
- Corrosion or localized wear
Chain slings
- Worn links
- Cracked links or weld defects
- Stretch or increase in length
- Bent, gouged, or deformed chain components
- Hooks or master links that are cracked or distorted
OSHA requires alloy steel chain slings to be removed from service where wear, defective welds, deformation, or increase in length are present.
Hooks and attachments
- Cracks
- Damaged or missing safety latch where required
- Excessive throat opening
- Hook tip bent or hook twisted
OSHA states hooks on alloy steel chain slings must be removed from service if cracked, opened more than 15% of normal throat opening, or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook.
Synthetic web or round slings
- Cuts, tears, punctures, snags, or broken stitching
- Burn marks, melting, charring, or welding damage
- Chemical damage or discoloration
- Knots in the sling
- Damaged eyes, fittings, or protective cover
OSHA also notes defective synthetic slings removed from service should not be returned unless repaired by the manufacturer or an equally competent entity, with proof testing where required.
Inspection frequency
- Before each use: visual check by a competent person.
- During use: additional checks when conditions are severe or unusual.
- Periodic thorough inspection: at intervals based on frequency of use, service severity, nature of lifts, and experience in similar conditions. OSHA states this periodic inspection for alloy steel chain slings must not exceed 12 months.
- Under the UK LOLER framework, lifting equipment must undergo statutory thorough examination at prescribed intervals, with records kept and defects reported.
Good inspection practice
- Use a written inspection checklist.
- Color-code only if supported by a proper inspection system. Color code alone is not proof of fitness.
- Quarantine defective gear immediately.
- Tag defective items as DO NOT USE.
- Record defects, corrective action, inspector name, and date.
- Return gear to service only after proper repair, proof testing where applicable, and authorization by a competent person. OSHA prohibits makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods for alloy steel chain slings.
Minimum worker instructions
Do
- Inspect before use
- Use only marked and rated gear
- Protect slings from sharp edges
- Use correct hitch and angle
- Keep clear of the suspended load
- Report all defects immediately
Do not
- Use damaged gear
- Exceed Working Load Limit
- Tie knots in slings
- Drag slings on the ground
- Shock load the gear
- Use homemade repairs or makeshift attachments
Management responsibility
Management should ensure:
- competent persons are designated for inspection,
- lifting gear registers are maintained,
- periodic examination is scheduled,
- defective gear is segregated,
- users are trained in selection, inspection, and safe use,
- certificates and inspection records are available for review. OSHA requires employers to maintain records of the most recent periodic inspection month for alloy steel chain slings.
