Lifting Slings

Toolbox Talk: Rigging Equipment Safety Essentials – Turnbuckles, Multi-Leg Slings, and Chain Grades

person Ben Hengst
event June 27, 2024

Ensuring safety in rigging and lifting operations is crucial to prevent accidents and equipment failures. In this Toolbox Talk, we cover key aspects of rigging equipment safety, offering practical insights for anyone involved in lifting operations. We answer your questions about rigging equipment and best practices. This video provides clear information on rigging safety protocols and equipment standards, helping to ensure compliance and improve workplace safety during lifting operations.

Rigging-related incidents remain a significant concern in the industry. Improper use of rigging equipment can lead to catastrophic failures, resulting in injuries, fatalities, and major financial losses. Understanding the correct use of rigging tools and following rigging equipment safety standards is essential for all professionals in the field.

In this rigging equipment safety toolbox talk, we answer common questions like:

  • When should turnbuckles be avoided in rigging applications?
  • How many sling legs can be safely used with one master link?
  • Why can’t Grade 70 chain be used for overhead lifting, even for light loads?

Whether you’re working in the field doing the rigging, or an Operations Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, EHS Leader, or just updating your knowledge on industry standards, this video explains important rigging equipment safety practices to improve your understanding of:

  • The proper use and limitations of turnbuckles in various environments
  • Guidelines for multi-leg sling assemblies and master link compatibility
  • The important differences between Grade 70 and alloy chains for lifting
  • Rigging equipment ratings and their impact on safety
  • OSHA and ASME regulations for overhead lifting equipment

This video provides essential information on rigging equipment safety, addressing common questions and explaining regulations. It’s valuable for anyone looking to improve or update safety protocols in their lifting operations. Whether you work directly in rigging or oversee the safety of rigging crews, this video will help you stay informed and compliant with industry standards.

Have a question about rigging safety? Our team of rigging experts is ready to help. Contact a lifting specialist.

Want more from our Toolbox Talk series? Check out the YouTube playlist on the Lifting & Rigging Channel!

Transcript

Intro

Today I am taking up three questions we’ve been asked about rigging equipment. It’s another “Toolbox Talk.” My name is Ben and this is the Lifting and Rigging Channel. Today I am answering your questions about rigging equipment.

You’re the lift director here. If you have a question that you want answered, drop it in the comments below.

Turnbuckle Safety: When to Avoid Using Them in Rigging

First question, what are some applications where you should avoid using turnbuckles?

Turnbuckles are a great tool to take up slack in a rigging assembly, but they’re not always the best or safest tool for the job. Some applications where you’d want to avoid the use of turnbuckles would be permanent rigging applications in heavy vibration environments. Vibrations can cause the end fittings to loosen, possibly even spinning out of the body, avoid using turnbuckles in heavy vibration environments.

Now, there are jam nuts that can be used to lock the end fittings in place, but those should not be used in critical applications as they can put too much strain on the threads. If you need to use a turnbuckle in an environment that may experience vibrations, then a lock wire should be used to prevent end fittings from loosening.

Avoid using turnbuckles in areas that are not easily visible. Because turnbuckles are adjustable and run the risk of loosening, you want to be able to see them so you can make sure that your end fittings are staying tight. Do not cover them or hide them.

Do not use turnbuckles for applications that are not in-line, only use turnbuckles for in-line, straight pull applications, otherwise, a turnbuckle could bend or break.

Also, do not use turnbuckles where there’s not enough slack to fully engage the turnbuckles end fitting’s threads.

And finally, do not use turnbuckles with hook end fittings for long-term or critical applications. A hook always runs the risk of unhooking.

Multi-Leg Sling Assemblies: How Many Legs Can You Use?

In one of your videos, you show a multi-leg sling using four legs to one master link. How many sling legs can be used in one master link for an assembly?

We recently did an eight leg bridle into one master link. In fact, you can put as many legs as needed into an assembly depending on a few things.

One, what is the application? How will the sling assembly be used?

Two, has the sling been manufactured by a competent and qualified person? Has its application been analyzed and approved by a competent and qualified person?

Three, how do the legs sit in the master link? It is important that the slings do not sit in the master link at an angle exceeding 120 degrees. You do not want any of your sling legs to be pulling on the sides of the master link.

Grade 70 Chain vs Alloy Chain: Why It Matters for Overhead Lifting

If I’m using 5/16 Grade 70 chain with a working load limit of 4,900 pounds, why can’t I use it in an overhead lift, lifting something only weighing 600 pounds?

Look, we get this question all the time, and this is a big no-no. The bottom line is OSHA and ASME say that you cannot lift with grade 70 chain.

Grade 70 chain is heat treated carbon steel, it is made for tying down loads, it’s transportation chain, and not safe for overhead lifting. Only alloy chain can be used for overhead lifting.

Alloy Chain Properties: Elongation and Safety in Lifting

ASTM states that alloy shall be able to elongate a minimum of 20% before fracture. Grade 70 chain does not have the same characteristics as grade 80, 100 or 120. Alloy chain, grade 80 and 100, are made to stretch before it breaks. This design is built in, so if someone makes a mistake, the chain elongates before breaking, allowing you to catch the mistake before catastrophic failure occurs.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this does not mean you can overload your chain, but accidents and mistakes happen. Maybe you forgot your load was still secured to the ground or truck. Maybe the weight was miscalculated. If you are using grade 70 chain and a mistake is made, that carbon steel chain could burst.

Our specialists sometimes explain it like this. If you put a car on a trailer and you had to tow it from California to New York, would you do it with a four-door sedan or would you do it with an F-150? Could you do it with a four-door sedan? I don’t know, maybe. I’ve seen hitches on four-door sedans. But would you really consider that safe? Is that really what the sedan is made to do?

A Ford F-150 or substitute your full size truck of choice is built for that application. Chain used for overhead lifting is also subject to tighter controls and testing during the manufacturing process. This includes proof testing the chains and the chain sling assemblies, not to mention the tagging requirements for overhead lifting.

Rigging Equipment Tagging Requirements for Overhead Lifting

If you are using a chain sling or any sling for that matter, for overhead lifting, it must be properly tagged. If there is no tag, then you cannot use it. You will not find a tag for overhead lifting on a grade 70 chain, they’re not to be used.

Have Your Questions Answered on the Lifting & Rigging Channel

If you’re looking for more information on any of these topics, check out the links in the description. We have a ton of information on anything rigging and lifting related in our learning center at mazzellacompanies.com. Not to mention that we offer rigging training and inspections.

If you have a question of your own, drop it in the comments. My name is Ben, stay safe out there.

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In this video

0:00 – Intro

0:26 – Turnbuckle Safety: When to Avoid Using Them in Rigging

2:04 – Multi-Leg Sling Assemblies: How Many Legs Can You Use?

2:40 – Master Link Safety: Proper Angle for Sling Legs

2:56 – Grade 70 Chain vs Alloy Chain: Why It Matters for Overhead Lifting

3:36 – Alloy Chain Properties: Elongation and Safety in Lifting

5:12 – Rigging Equipment Tagging Requirements for Overhead Lifting

5:34 – Have Your Questions Answered on the Lifting & Rigging Channel

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Disclaimer:

Any advice, graphics, images, and/or information contained herein are presented for general educational and information purposes and to increase overall safety awareness. It is not intended to be legal, medical, or other expert advice or services, and should not be used in place of consultation with appropriate industry professionals. The information herein should not be considered exhaustive and the user should seek the advice of appropriate professionals.