Making sure your rigging equipment is up to OSHA and ASME standards is extremely important for not only keeping your workers safe, but also to make sure everything is in order if OSHA does come knocking on your door one day. A site assessment by a TSRE trained professional is the perfect way to start the process of ensuring your rigging program is OSHA compliant. Inspection criteria and frequency are different for different types of rigging equipment. All rigging equipment, however, is required to be inspected at least once a year with written records kept until the next periodic inspection.

As a third-party rigging service and inspection provider, our job is not to get you in trouble, rather it is to keep you from getting in trouble. We do this by not only ensuring that your operation is always OSHA and ASME compliant, but also by helping you prepare for any potential issues that might arise in the future.

Time and time again we see companies come to us after an accident has happened or after rigging equipment has failed, and in nearly every case it would have saved them thousands if they had come to us first. Our top priorities are to ensure the proper rigging equipment is being used, ensure the rigging equipment is in acceptable working order, and most importantly ensure the safety of not only your workers, but the people around them as well.

Why Use A Third-Party Rigging Inspection Company?

There are a couple great reasons to use a third-party rigging inspection provider. The first is the reduction of liability. Using a third-party rigging inspector clearly demonstrates you have implemented the steps necessary to follow OSHA and ASME standards. This significantly reduces your potential liability in the event of an accident. The cost of a site assessment and rigging inspection is negligible when compared to the OSHA fines you open yourself up to when operating outside industry standards.

The second reason is that it is important to have a neutral, fresh set of eyes inspect your rigging equipment. When you have an employee conduct your rigging inspections, it’s easy for them to overlook something because they see it every day. When one of our trained rigging inspectors comes to your site, they will be able to identify potential hazards that your employees may not. TSRE gives you the peace of mind that your rigging equipment is always safe and up to OSHA and ASME standards.

It is important to mention that rigging inspections do not require you to shut down your operation. Rather, rigging inspections are best conducted during regular hours, during regular operation. This allows the inspector to see how the equipment is used and what the operating environment is like on a day to day basis.

What Are Common Problems Found in A Rigging Inspection?

With over 60 years in the material handling industry our rigging inspectors have seen nearly everything. Every site assessment and rigging inspection is different but there are some rigging problems that seem to show up in most rigging inspections.

1. Rigging Hardware - Rigging hardware includes shackles, coupling links, oblong links, hooks, hoist rings, eye bolts and much more. Damage to any of these components is extremely dangerous and most often occurs due to misuse and abuse. To be OSHA and ASME compliant always make sure your rigging hardware is not bent or stretched, your shackles have the proper pin, and that your hooks have properly functioning safety latches. TSRE rigging inspectors also often see rigging hardware that has been improperly “repaired” by welding. This can be extremely dangerous and is never recommended.
2. Identification Tags - Virtually every piece of rigging equipment is required to have some sort of identification. For some that is an ID tag, for others the required information is stamped on the equipment. The requirements for this identification are different for various types of rigging hardware, slings, and below the hook lifting devices. TSRE rigging inspectors are subject matter experts when it comes to rigging identification requirements. They will make sure your rigging ID’s are accessible, legible and that they have all the correct information on them.
3. Wire Rope - The most common problems our inspectors see regarding wire rope is broken wires, deformation, and corrosion. Wire rope in hoists and slings are used in dirty, often greasy, environments. This means that wire rope must be thoroughly cleaned to perform a proper inspection. After cleaning, a TSRE rigging inspector will look for any amount of broken wires above the allowable limit, any corrosion above the allowable limit and any deformation that does not straighten out under load, along with other wire rope inspection criteria.
4. Alloy Chain Slings - Chain slings are extraordinarily rugged and because of this they are some of the most overloaded and abused pieces of rigging equipment found today. It is common sentiment that alloy chain slings are nearly indestructible because they are made of steel. If chain slings are not used and stored properly however, they can deteriorate just like any other type of sling. Chain slings must be inspected link by link and TSRE rigging inspectors are trained to take the time inspecting each link for stretch, wear, heat damage, cracks, corrosion and frozen chain or fittings.
5. Synthetic Slings - Synthetic slings are some of the most flexible and strong pieces of rigging equipment, but they are susceptible to damage caused by environmental factors. Proper use of synthetic slings requires the end user to be conscious of how and where the lifting sling is used. The most common problems we see regarding synthetic slings are cuts, tears, heat damage, UV damage, and chemical damage. The best ways to protect against these problems are using proper sling protection (edge guards, wear pads and sleeves), knowing what chemicals polyester and nylon can and can’t be used with, and properly storing your synthetic lifting slings. Synthetic slings should always be stored in a dark, cool environment.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is your local hoist, rigging and crane service provider and repair shop. TSRE employs 19 industry leading crane techs and rigging inspectors near you; serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico, and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.