| |
IMPORTANT
WARNINGS
Failure
to follow warnings and instructions can result in
serious injury or death.
|
|
| Refer
to warnings on pages 3 and 4. |
|
| These
warnings also apply to cordage (rope). Only additional
warnings and information are listed below. |
| Never
exceed the Working Load Limit of rope. |
|
| Use
Working Load Limits as published as guidelines only. Working
Load Limit may have to be reduced when life, limb or valuable
property are at risk, or other than new rope is used.
When using multiple leg rope slings, the Working Load
Limit of each leg will have to be reduced considerably.
Consult industry recommendations for information such
as published by the Cordage Institute. Working Load Limit
does not apply if rope has been subjected to severe dynamic
loading, which may not be visible. |
|
|
| Exposure
to high temperatures will cause ropes to lose strength
rapidly. Even temperatures as low as 150° F (66°
C) can reduce the strength of some ropes by 50%. When
using synthetic rope (especially polypropylene) on a capstan
or a winch, be careful to avoid excessive friction which
heats, melts and fuses the outer fibers of the rope. Avoid
repeated surging or hard rendering around poles or over
cross arms. Polyester rope resists overheating best because
its melting point is highest. |
| Attachments
must have at least the same Working Load Limit as the
rope used. |
|
Hooks,
links, shackles, etc. must be of suitable material and
strength to provide adequate safety protection. Splice
rope properly and use thimbles if applicable.
Choose
rope to match gear or gear to match rope. Sheaves ,
pulleys, thimbles, etc. that do not match the size of
rope being used can cause dangerous friction, abrasion,
overload, etc.
|
| Keep
out from under a raised load. |
|
| Do
not move load over people. Do not ride on load. Conduct
all lifting operations in such a manner that if equipment
were to fail or break, no personnel would be injured.
This means KEEP OUT FROM UNDER A RAISED LOAD, DO NOT
OPERATE LOADS OVER PEOPLE AND KEEP OUT OF THE LINE OF
FORCE. |
|
|
| Rope
that is strong enough to withstand a steady pull can be
broken with a sudden jerk. Be aware of all possible dynamic
loading situations. Avoid them when possible and allow
for strong enough rope when they cannot be avoided. Keep
in mind that the effects of dynamic loading are greater
on shorter ropes than on longer ones and greater on low
elongation ropes (such as Manila and polypropylene) than
on high elongation rope (such as nylon). Never stand
in the line of rope under strain. If the rope breaks
it will recoil with considerable force, especially if
it is nylon. |
|
Closely
examine entire length of rope for damage to determine
general condition and detect localized wear. Excessive
abrasion, fusing of outside fibers, hockles, rust or
other chemical stains, broken fibers or other obvious
damage to rope are reasons to retire rope from service.
Internal damage can be assessed by twisting strands
open and checking for powdered fiber. Rope that is suspected
of having been exposed to severe shock loads or loads
close to its catalog Breaking Strength should be retired
immediately. Such damage may not be visible. Actual
remaining strength of damaged or used rope can only
be established by laboratory analysis and tension tests.
|
| Destroy,
rather than discard, rope to be retired. |
It might
be used again by someone not aware of the hazard or defect.
This is best achieved by cutting it up into short pieces.
|
|
|
| Refer
to OSHA standard 1910.184 and ASME standard B30.9 for
design factors and other important information. Other
standards and information may apply in specific applications. |
| Refer
to "Proper Care of Rope" for additional important
cautions. |
|
