OMG Southeast & Southwest RIGGING SAFETY PROGRAM (29 CFR Part 1926.251, 1926.550, 1910.180, 1910.184, 1910.330, & ANSI B30.5, ANSI B30.8) Nearly every project is required to perform some type of rigging activity to complete the scope of work defined for that project. Proper rigging of equipment and materials must not be taken for granted. Every lift holds potential for employee injury or property damage. Please assure that each person rigging on your job has received documented training. The is outlined as follows: Section I Section II Section III Section IV Section V Section VI Section VII Section IX Planning the Activity Competent Rigging Person(s) General Requirements for Rigging Inspection and Use Wire Rope Slings Synthetic Web Slings Welded Alloy Steel Chains OSHA References American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Reference SECTION I PLANNING THE ACTIVITY Prior to starting any Lifting activity, a detailed lifting plan shall be discussed that identifies any potential hazards and the preventative measures appropriate to eliminate the hazard. If a lift is determined to be critical due to either the load or rigging the written plan must be completed including the rigging needed to hoist materials and equipment. The competent rigging person must be identified by name on the critical lift plan. The competent rigger must provide input into rigging/hoisting activities and approval of the critical lift plan.
DO NOT LIFT LOADS OR SWING OVER PERSONNEL! Listed below are some items to consider when developing the critical lift plan. However it is very important to use the OMG Southeast & Southwest Critical Lift Forms when developing any critical lift. Also use the proper rigging and inspection. (See Section II) A. Competent supervision/competent Rigger B. Weight evaluation. 1. Crane/hoist capacity load/list charts. 2. Combined weight of object and rigging. C. Proper crane setup (level, solid ground, etc.). Refer to the Crane Procedure. D. How are hoisting devices to be installed? (tuggers, chain falls, etc.) E. Engineering (Should lift be calculated and drawn up for educational/training purposes?). F. What other work is ongoing below the lift, (barricades, employee alarm system, etc.). G. Refer to the Crane Safety Manual with the Four Point checklist for planning loads to be hoisted. If the lift is determined to be a critical lift a formal Critical Lift Plan must be completed using OMG Southeast & Southwest s Critical Lift Forms. H. Are work locations near public areas or others where special precautions must be planned. Complex rigging activities require extensive planning to ensure we complete the work without incident. When using OMG Southeast & Southwest s Critical Lift Forms additional information must be made available to the crane operator regarding the rigging selected for those type lifts. SECTION II COMPETENT RIGGING PERSON(S) A. Identification of Competent Rigging Person(s): It shall be the responsibility of each Project Manager/Superintendent to ensure every work location/project activity has identified a competent rigging person(s). This competent rigging person(s) must be identified by name for each activity involving the hoisting of materials and equipment where a load must be mechanically hitched or rigged and lifted. If the lift is determined to be a Critical Lift, a written lift plan shall be completed which includes naming the competent
rigging person, he/she will ensure that all rigging devices are inspected prior to use. The competent rigging person will have the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate any unsafe condition. B. Competent Person Qualifications: 1. Must have knowledge of OSHA and the Company's rigging requirements. 2. Must be able to understand and follow specific manufacturer s guidelines. 3. Must have a well rounded rigging background and experience with different types of rigging applications. 4. Must have the ability and authority to take prompt corrective action to eliminate a hazardous condition. 5. Must have attended a Rigging Class and Rigging Awareness Training. 6. Competent rigging person must be able to: a. Determine the weight of a load to be picked. b. Decide the proper hitch to use. c. Determine best positive attachment points to the load. d. Recognize possible physical damage to load or rigging. e. Select the proper sling(s) to use. f. Select the proper lifting device to use. g. Read and understand rated capacity charts for all associated rigging components. h. Evaluate environmental conditions (i.e.: weather, ground conditions etc.) i. Evaluate structural condition of members to be rigged or know whom to reference. j. Understand blocking, jacking and rolling operations for various applications SECTION III GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RIGGING INSPECTION AND USE A. All rigging equipment, (slings, shackles, chain falls/come a longs, plate grabs, sheet hooks, etc.), must be inspected before use by a competent rigging person, and formally inspected monthly. B. All rigging equipment must be stored under cover and off the ground when not in use. C. Any lifting device used that does not have the manufacturer s certification must be certified by a registered professional engineer. Example: job built sorting/sheet hooks, lifting beams, welded pad eyes, etc.
D. Hooks used for lifting overhead must be equipped with safety latches to prevent accidental load disengagement. E. Use of pelican (shake out) hooks to rig loads is prohibited except when sorting sheets and like materials in a lay down yard area. Use of pelican/shake out hooks is prohibited for all overhead lifting. All other lifts must be lifted using safety latches on the hooks. F. Every rigging activity must be supervised by a trained rigger. G. All heavy or complex rigging activities must be planned prior to the lift. Require a Critical Lift plan to be developed and reviewed with crew. H. Any rigging incident or near miss must be investigated, reported and appropriate corrective actions taken. SECTION IV WIRE ROPE SLINGS A. INSPECT SLINGS BEFORE USE. B. Remove slings from service if any of the following occur: 1. Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one rope lay. Or more than one broken wire within one rope diameter of any termination or end. 2. Wear or scraping of one third the original diameter of outside individual wires. 3. Kinking, crushing, bird caging or any other damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope structure. 4. Evidence of heat damage; remove from service if exposed to temperatures greater than 500 F. (Fiber core wire rope slings shall be removed from service if exposed to temperatures greater 200 than 'F). 5. End attachments that are cracked, deformed or worn. 6. 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. 7. Corrosion of the rope or end attachments. C. Softeners shall be used when sharp edges can cause damage to slings unless a competent person determines the softener creates an unsafe condition. Note: Softeners must be adequate and appropriate for the application. Do not use work gloves, oily rags, etc. for softeners. SECTION V SYNTHETIC WEB SLINGS
A. INSPECT SLINGS BEFORE USE. Following the manufactures established guidelines and those outlined in this policy. B. Each sling shall be marked or coded to show manufacturer s name or trademark, the rated capacities for each type of hitch and the type of synthetic web material. C. Synthetic web slings of polyester and nylon shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 180 F. Polypropylene web slings shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 200 F. D. Remove slings from service if any of the following occur: 1. Acid or caustic burns are visible. 2. Melting or charring of any part of the sling surface. 3. Snags, punctures, tears or cuts. 4. Broken or worn stitches. (Look for red warning thread. If showing, discard immediately.) 5. Missing or illegible manufacturer's tags (see B above). 6. Never use a synthetic sling that is wet and has been frozen. E. All new orders for sling 2" and larger must include folding and sewing both eye ends. This will allow the sling eye to fit properly into correct sized shackles. F. Rigging practice should be double wrap slings when ever possible for loose bundled materials. G. Use only manufactured sleeving / softeners or cut up synthetic web slings that have been damaged or determined no longer good for the intended use. Never use synthetic slings rigged around a load that has a sharp surface with potential cutting points or when there is a possibility that the sling could slide/slip on a surface that is not circular and cut the sling. SECTION VI WELDED ALLOY STEEL CHAINS OSHA requires that all alloy steel chain slings have a permanent durable affixed identification tag stating size, grade, rated capacity, and manufacture. Alloy steel chains have the letter A stamped at regular intervals on chain links. If the number 8 or the letter T is not found with the letter A then the chain is to be considered a lower grade chain and is not to be used for over head lifting.
For overhead lifting, grade 8 alloy steel chain is to be used. Grade 8 chain will have the number 8 or the letter T stamped at regular intervals on the chain links. Some alloy chain manufacturers place zeros after each 8 such as 80 or 800. The number 8 whether followed by zeros or not is the important item to look for when considering lifting. The letter T is a designation used by the international Standard Organization (ISO) for grade 8 chains. A. Frequent inspection (prior to use) Be sure to : 1 Ensure identification marking (tag) is affixed and shows size, grade, rated capacity, reach and sling manufacturer's name. 2 Look for elongated or stretched links. Use a chain gauge with "pass/fail" criteria. Chains not "passing" will be immediately pulled from service, tagged "Do Not Use" or "Dispose Of". 3 Inspect chain hook retaining nuts, collars and pins, welds or riveting used to secure the retaining member. 4 Look for gouges, chips, scores or cuts in each link. If the depth of these defects or damage is such that the link size is reduced below that listed in the table of wear, then the chain is to be removed from service. 5 Look for severe corrosion or severe pitting resulting in measurable material loss. 6 Look for weld splatter or discoloration from excessive temperatures. 7 Examine the throat opening of the hooks. 8 Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts, cords, or other such attachments, shall not be used. 9 Ensure that before using each new, repaired or reconditioned chain sling, including all welded components in the sling assembly, are proof tested by the sling manufacturer or equivalent entity. 10 After inspecting steel chains for rigging activities, an inspection tag developed by the Company with the date of the inspection shall be attached to each chain. If not already attached another inspection shall be conducted and properly tagged prior to use. B. Remove chains from service if any of the following occur: 1. Chains are heated above 1000 F. 2. The chain size at any point of any link is less than that required by law. (Reference 29 CFR 1926.251). 3. Chain links that are twisted, broken, cracked or otherwise damaged. C. Periodic Inspections: 1. A thorough inspection shall be performed at least once every 12 months, or more frequently, based on chain usage.
2. Excessive wear of chain, chain stretch and whenever wear at any point of any link exceeds that shown in table H 2 of 1926.25 1, the assembly shall be removed from service. 3. Chain hooks suspected of cracks or other visible defects should be dye penetrant, magnetic particle or other suitable crack detecting inspection should be performed. 4. Attention should be directed to the frequency of sling use, the severity of service conditions and the nature of the lifts being made. 5. Equipment inspected will be tagged and the inspection documented. Records of the most recent month in which each sling was thoroughly inspected shall be available for examination. D. When inspecting chains which are components of chain falls, come a longs or hoists, it is necessary to follow manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and inspection, plus: 1. Check braking mechanism for evidence of slippage under load. 2. Hooks damaged from chemicals, deformations, cracks or having more than 15 percent in excess of normal throat opening, or more than 10 degree twist from the plane of the unbent hook. Free to rotate 360" 3. All load bearing components of a hoist should be inspected for damage. 4. Frequent and periodic inspections are required. (Refer to ANSI 16 l.2.1.2 and 16 1.2.1.3) Note: The use of steel chains are prohibited at this division unless the foreman or sub contractor can demonstrate that their inspection process is adequate and acceptable to division management. At any time that the division management feels a need to prohibit sling use due to mistreatment, deficient inspections, etc., they will do so immediately. SECTION VII OSHA REFERENCES 1926.251 Rigging Equipment for material handling 1926.251 (a) General (b) Alloy Steel Chains (c) Wire Rope (d) Natural Rope and Synthetic Fiber (e) Synthetic Webbing (Nylon, Polyester, and Polypropylene) (f) Shackles and Hooks
1910.184 (d) Inspections (daily) & (e), (3), (i) and (ii) Inspections (Periodic) SECTION VII (ANSI) AND OTHER REFERENCES ANSI B30.16 1973 Overhead Hoists NOTE: OMG Southeast & Southwest recommends the review and use of "Bob's Rigging and Crane Handbook " by each supervisor and competent person responsible for Rigging Activities. These may be ordered through the division EHS department.