User`s manual

67
SAFETY RULES FOR LOAD SLINGING
Given the ever increasing use of hoisting equipment for handling materials, the issue of load slinging is becoming more and more
important.
The personnel members employed in such operations must be informed of the specific hazards to
which they are exposed or to which they may expose other workers.
Loads which can be connected directly to the hook of a hoisting machine are rare. Flexible means
such as chains, wire or textile ropes, are used in most cases. Particular attention must be paid to their
capacity, as ropes and chains used for slinging and hoisting loads are subject to neglect and to
service conditions which are a lot harder than those which hoisting machines are subject to.
Depending on the inclination of the sections the sling consists of, the force acting on each of them,
with a 1,000 Kg load, ranges from 500 Kg (vertical slings) to 1,932 Kg (150° inclination), as shown in
Picture 1.
Picture 1 – inclination of sling sections and acting forces.
Operation: LOAD HANDLING
LOAD HOISTING EQUIPMENT
If the weight of the load can not be equally divided among several slings, and it is necessary that a
single sling is fit to support the entire load, while the other slings shall grant stability to the load
(picture 2).
Picture 2 – Sling supporting the load and sling giving it stability
The slinging means (ropes, chains and straps) must be positioned at the bottom of the hook
saddle, never resting them on the tip, and no knots must be made to shorten them. Making hooks
work on the end tip is forbidden.
Please be reminded that if two ties cross on the same hook, one of them does is idle
and they will both wear in the point where they overlap (picture 3).
Picture 3 – Crossed ties
If the load is uneven or has corners and sharp edges which may damage ropes or chains, wood
or rubber distance blocks shall be interposed to
avoid damages.
(Picture 4).
Picture 4 – Distance blocks to avoid damages to the rope
or chain
Examples of protection of sharp corners
and edges