The following OSHA Requirements are taken from www.osha.gov at the time of this publication. Operators should be properly trained when using any lifting equipment. The following are a basic overview and you should refer to OSHA for the latest requirements and guidelines. Contact BTH Gear for any questions about our products.

Riggers must be:

• Trained to understand and recognize the hazards associated with the assigned task.
• Qualified to do assigned work and comply with proper procedures.
• Aware of the surface conditions upon which a crane is operating.
  • The surface should be level within 1% grade and firm enough to support the crane and load.
  • Examine where the load will be set. Remove unnecessary blocks, equipment or other materials that can injure workers if struck by the load.
• Familiar with the various and correct rigging techniques and rigging equipment (e.g., slings, shackles, hooks, hoist, blocks).
• Able to anticipate problems before they occur.
  • Stop the job when any potentially unsafe conditions are present.
• Aware of the weight of the load and understand the rated capacities of the crane and any rigging gear (1915.111(b)).

Slings or Ropes:

• Slings must not be used over sharp corners without padding (1915.116(f)).
• Slings must not be covered with permanent padding that would prevent them from being inspected before each use.
• Use softeners, padding, chaffing gear or other sling protection as necessary to prevent damage to nylon slings.
• Kinked or knotted wire rope slings should be removed from service (1915.111). Wire rope shall not be secured by knots (1915.112(b)(4)).

Lifting:

• Avoid lifts near stacked material that may be knocked over by a swinging load (1915.116(k)).
• Always check for overhead power lines before lifting a load.
• Before loads or empty lifting gear are raised, lowered, or swung, advance warning must be given to workers operating in the vicinity (1915.116(p)).
• Use a designated spotter to assure that proper clearances are maintained.
• A worker or signalman who is familiar with signal codes must communicate with the crane operator (1915.116(l)).
• When walking with a load, keep it as close to the ground as possible.
  • Inspect the spot where the load is to be landed.
  • When lowering or setting a load, set it down slowly.
• Tag lines must be provided on loads likely to swing or need guidance (1915.116(d)).
  • Do not use tag lines to control lift when the lift is under or near electrical power lines.
• Riggers must not place themselves in a hazardous position between a swinging load and a fixed object (1915.116(q)).
• Workers are not to work under the load.
• Workers must not ride a load or hook (1915.116(i)).
• Riggers should keep fingers, hands and feet away from pinch points.

Equipment:

• All rigging gear and equipment provided by the employer must be inspected before each shift and at intervals during its use to minimize the possibility of a rigging failure (1915.111(a)).
• Overloading the crane and rigging gear may cause:
  • The crane hoist line to part or the rigging gear to fail.
  • The crane to tip over.
  • Damage to and possible failure of the crane.
• Defective gear and equipment must be immediately removed from service (1915.111(a)).
  • Check nylon slings for cuts or frayed areas.
  • Manila rope slings should be checked to determine that they are safe for the intended working loads (1915.112(a)(1)).
  • Check wire rope slings for kinks or broken wires or strands.
  • Check chain slings for stretched links (1915.112(c)(2)).
  • Check hooks to make sure they are not bent from overloading.
  • Check that the crane hook safety latch automatically retracts to the closed position upon release.
  • Bent or sprung hooks must not be used (1915.113(b)(3)).
  • See https://www.osha.gov/safe-sling-use/nat-synth-fiber

Pad Eyes:

• Pad eyes should be designed for a specific use.
• Each pad eye should be able to hold the intended weight/force that will be applied to it after it is welded into place.
• Inspect pad eyes for cracks and other defects that will affect its capacity.
• Remove defective pad eyes from the work area.
• All pad eyes should be welded solidly all around. Weld the middle of the pad eye on both sides first, then weld both ends.
• Inspect fitting tools and equipment such as come-alongs, chain falls, turnbuckles, chains and hook ratchets that will be used with pad eyes.
• Make sure that the hooks from the come-alongs and chain falls are seated properly in the eye of the pad eye.
• Do not overstress the fitting tools – use up to 80% of their capacity.
• When applying pressure with fitting tools or equipment to pad eyes, make sure that everyone is well out of the danger zone in the event that the pad eye tears off the surface it was welded to.