When must slings and ropes be inspected?

When must slings and ropes be inspected?

• A. Weekly
• B. Before each pull
• C. Monthly
• D. Only when damaged

Answer: (B)

Inspect slings and ropes before every lift. This rule exists because rigging can be damaged during handling or from a recent lift, and wear isn’t always obvious at a glance. A pre-use check catches cuts, frays, broken strands, deformation, heat or chemical damage, crushed areas, or damaged fittings that could fail under load. If anything looks off or you’re unsure about the condition, remove the sling or rope from service and tag it for repair or replacement. Relying on weekly or monthly checks or inspecting only when damage is noticed leaves a window for a failure to occur, since new damage can develop between inspections. Regular pre-use checks are the safest way to prevent dropped loads and injuries.

Inspect slings and ropes before every lift. This rule exists because rigging can be damaged during handling or from a recent lift, and wear isn’t always obvious at a glance. A pre-use check catches cuts, frays, broken strands, deformation, heat or chemical damage, crushed areas, or damaged fittings that could fail under load. If anything looks off or you’re unsure about the condition, remove the sling or rope from service and tag it for repair or replacement. Relying on weekly or monthly checks or inspecting only when damage is noticed leaves a window for a failure to occur, since new damage can develop between inspections. Regular pre-use checks are the safest way to prevent dropped loads and injuries.