Wire Rope Sling Inspection - Broken Wires.

How Long Is My Wire Rope Sling Going To Last?

Often I hear the aforementioned question. The honest answer is ... a wire rope sling's performance is strongly related to how the sling is used and how it is cared for. Better questions for the end user to ask include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Will I work within the working load limits of this wire rope sling?

(b) Will I use edge protection when I lift something with a sharp corner?

(c) Will I avoid shock loading in my lift procedures?

(d) Will I store the wire rope sling on a rigging tree and ensure that it is properly lubricated?

(e) Will I always inspect the wire rope sling before I intend to lift with it?

ASME B30.9-2014 Chapter 9-2 Wire Rope Slings

9-2.9 INSPECTION, REMOVAL AND REPAIR

9-2.9.5 Removal Criteria states:...

"(b) Broken wires"...

"(1) For strand-laid and single part slings, 10 randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or 5 broken wires in one strand in one rope lay"...

What Are You Looking At?

The three pictures clearly illustrate what broken wires look like within the eye of a strand laid single part sling. If you followed a single rope lay on the eye of this particular wire rope sling you would note more than "10 randomly distributed broken wires." As you look closely at the third picture near the top of the eye you will note at least "one strand in one rope lay" with more than "five broken wires in one strand." One strand actually looks as if it was severed.

Always inspect your wire rope slings before use, follow the codes of OH & S and the operating standards of ASME.

Be sure to check out my next post "Synthetic Round Sling Inspection - Acid Or Caustic Burns."