Auxiliary cargo handling gear

Loose gear must be stored so it won't be damaged and inspected with any defects corrected before reuse. Employers must follow the routine inspection rule in 1918.62(a)(1), which requires that at the completion of each use loose gear be placed to avoid damage and be inspected before being used again.

• Inspect for obvious wear, distortion, broken parts, corrosion, or other damage.
• Repair or remove defective items from service immediately.
• If manufacturers' specifications exist, use them to judge defects; if not, use the other paragraphs of 1918.62 to decide when to remove gear from service.

No — distorted hooks, shackles or similar gear must not be used and should be discarded. 1918.62(a)(2) explicitly prohibits using defective gear (as defined by the manufacturer's specs when available) and directs that distorted hooks and shackles be discarded.

• If manufacturer specs are not available, use the criteria in 1918.62 to determine defects.
• Do not attempt to cold-straighten bent hooks or re-use suspect fittings without proper evaluation and documentation.

Employers must follow the manufacturer's recommended ratings for wire rope and wire rope slings provided for use aboard ship and have those ratings available for inspection. This is required by 1918.62(b)(1).

• Keep manufacturers' load ratings and use recommendations with the gear or readily accessible for inspectors and riggers.
• If no manufacturer rating exists, follow the applicable criteria elsewhere in 1918.62 to determine safe use.

Yes — wire rope with a safety factor less than five may be used only in limited, specified situations. 1918.62(b)(2) allows lower safety factors only when (i) used in specialized equipment designed for lesser factors, (ii) used according to standing rigging design factors, or (iii) used for heavy lifts or other purposes where a factor of five isn't feasible and the employer demonstrates that equivalent safety is ensured.

• The employer must be able to justify and document the alternative design or equivalent safety measures.
• When in doubt, use a safety factor of at least five for common running wire and light-load slings as required by the same section.

Wire rope and wire rope slings with the conditions listed in 1918.62(b)(3) must be removed from service. Those include:

• Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three or more broken wires in one strand in one rope lay (1918.62(b)(3)(i)).
• Kinking, crushing, bird-caging, or other distortion of the rope structure (1918.62(b)(3)(ii)).
• Evidence of heat damage (1918.62(b)(3)(iii)).
• Excessive wear, corrosion, deformation, or cracks in attachments (1918.62(b)(3)(iv)).
• Any indication of strand or wire slippage in end attachments (1918.62(b)(3)(v)).
• More than one broken wire close to a socket or swaged fitting (1918.62(b)(3)(vi)).

Remove from service immediately and tag or segregate until repaired or discarded.

Splice coverings must be removable so the splice can be inspected and must not damage the wire, and when U-bolt clips are used the employer must follow the manufacturer's recommendations or, if unavailable, use table 1 of appendix II and apply the U portion against the dead end of the rope. 1918.62(b)(4) and 1918.62(b)(5) require that coverings be removable and not damage the wire, and that clips be applied per manufacturer instructions.

• If manufacturer instructions are not available, use table 1 of appendix II to determine clip number and spacing.
• For "U" bolt clips, place the "U" section on the dead end of the rope (the short tail) as required by 1918.62(b)(5).

No — wire rope shall not be secured by knotting, and eyes used for hoisting shall not be formed by wire rope clips or knots. 1918.62(b)(6) states wire rope shall not be knotted, and 1918.62(b)(7) prohibits forming eyes in hoisting components by clips or knots.

• Use properly formed eye splices, manufactured terminals, or other approved end fittings rather than knots or clip-formed eyes for hoisting.

Eye splices in wire ropes must have at least three tucks using a whole strand, and two tucks where one-half of the wire is cut from each strand. This requirement is stated in 1918.62(b)(8).

• Ensure splices are neatly made and inspect them regularly for loosening or damage.

Except for eye splices at the ends of wires and endless rope slings, each wire rope used for hoisting, lowering, or bulling cargo must be one continuous piece without knots or splices. 1918.62(b)(9) requires continuity to avoid weak points.

• Do not introduce unauthorized splices or knots in running parts of hoisting gear; only approved end splices or endless slings are exceptions.

Employers must follow manufacturers' recommended ratings and have them available for inspection, and if ratings are not available they must use table 2 of appendix II to determine safe working loads for natural fiber rope slings. 1918.62(c)(1) and 1918.62(c)(2) require this.

• Eye splices in natural fiber rope must consist of at least three full tucks per 1918.62(c)(3).
• Keep documentation or tables used to determine working loads available for inspection.

When substituting synthetic rope for fiber rope, if the fiber rope is less than 3 inches circumference the synthetic substitute must be the same size unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise; for ropes 3 inches or larger, use the formula in 1918.62(d)(3) to determine required synthetic circumference, and ensure the synthetic fiber's characteristics are suitable for hoisting. See 1918.62(d)(1)–(3).

• Verify manufacturer ratings and use recommendations for the specific synthetic rope (1918.62(d)(1)).
• If manufacturer guidance is unavailable for safe working load, use tables 3A and 3B of appendix II per 1918.62(d)(2).
• Always confirm synthetic rope material is appropriate for hoisting before substitution (1918.62(d)(3)(ii)).

Natural and synthetic ropes must be removed from service if they show abnormal or excessive wear (including heat and chemical damage), powdered fiber between strands, sufficient cut or broken fibers affecting capability, variations in strand size/roundness, discolorations unrelated to harmless stains, rotting, or distortion/damage to attached hardware. These removal criteria are in 1918.62(e)(1)–(7).

• Tag or segregate ropes removed from service to prevent accidental reuse.
• Document removals and replacements as part of your inspection records.

Properly fitting thimbles should be used when any rope is permanently secured to a ring, shackle, or attachment where practicable, per 1918.62(f).

• Thimbles protect the rope eye from abrasion and deformation; use them whenever a permanent termination to hardware is made and it's practicable to fit a thimble.

Synthetic web slings must never be used to hoist loads exceeding the sling's rated capacity, must be removed from service for acid/caustic burns, melting/charring, snags/tears/cuts, broken or worn stitches, distorted fittings, or visible warning threads, and defective slings may only be repaired by a sling manufacturer or similarly competent entity and must be proof tested before return to service with records kept. These requirements appear in 1918.62(g)(1)–(4).

• Repairs must be done by qualified repairers and the repaired sling must be proof tested to twice its rated capacity (see the proof test requirement in the 1918.62(g) text) and a certificate retained for inspection.
• Follow the manufacturer's use recommendations which must be available for inspection (1918.62(g)(4)).

Fittings must have a breaking strength at least equal to the sling and must be free of sharp edges, as required by 1918.62(g)(5).

• Inspect fittings for nicks, cracks, or deformation that could cut or weaken the sling.
• Replace any fitting that does not meet the sling's rated breaking strength or is damaged.

Employers must follow manufacturers' recommended safe working loads for alloy steel and wrought iron chains and chain slings and, if unavailable, use table 4A of appendix II; proof-coil/common hardware chain and other chain not recommended for slinging must not be used; sling chains require visible inspections before each day's use and as needed, thorough inspections quarterly with the inspection month marked on the chain, removal when wear reaches table 4B limits or stretch increases length by more than 5%, and only designated persons shall inspect sling chains. These rules are in 1918.62(h)(1)–(3).

• Mark the month of the quarterly inspection on a link by paint or other effective means (1918.62(h)(3)(ii)).
• Remove chains for bent, twisted, stretched, raised scarf, or defective welds per 1918.62(h)(3)(iv).
• Only designated persons (those trained and authorized) may perform chain inspections (1918.62(h)(3)(v)).

Wrought iron chains in constant use must be annealed or normalized at intervals not exceeding six months with heat treatment certificates available, alloy chains shall not be annealed, and any replaced or repaired links must be tested to the manufacturer's proof test load by the manufacturer or by an accredited agency with certificates available for inspection, as required by 1918.62(h)(5) and the repair/testing provisions in the same section. See also the testing procedures in 1919.31.

• Keep heat treatment certificates for wrought iron chain anneals on file (1918.62(h)(5)(i)).
• Repaired chains must be tested/ certified by the manufacturer or an agency accredited under 1919.31 before returning to service.

No — chains must not be kinked or knotted and shall not be shortened by bolting, wiring, or knotting; hooks, rings, links and attachments must have rated capacities at least equal to the chain, and chain slings must bear identification of size, grade and rated capacity. These requirements are in 1918.62(h)(6)–(8).

• Do not use makeshift links, wire, bolts, or rods as substitutes for proper fittings (1918.62(h)(6)).
• Keep sling ID markings legible and accessible for inspection (1918.62(h)(8)).

Shackles must not be used above their manufacturer's recommended safe working loads (or if unavailable, use table 5 of appendix II), and screw pin shackles provided by the employer and used aloft (except in cargo hook assemblies) must have their pins positively secured. See 1918.62(i)(1)–(2).

• Mark or document shackle safe working loads and ensure pins cannot back out during use where required by 1918.62(i)(2).
• Replace or remove shackles that are deformed, cracked, or otherwise defective.

Hooks other than hand hooks must not be used above manufacturer recommended safe working loads and must be tested before initial use in accordance with the provisions of 1919.31, bent or sprung hooks must be discarded, teeth and jaws must be maintained in safe condition, and loads must be applied to the throat of the hook only. See 1918.62(j)(1)–(5).

• Keep manufacturers' test certificates that demonstrate compliance with 1919.31(a), (c), (d) if available; such certificates are an acceptable exception per 1918.62(j)(1)–(2).
• For whether hooks require safety latches, OSHA has explained that latch requirements depend on the application and that latch-equipped hooks should be used unless impractical; see OSHA’s letter on safety latches on sling hooks at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2006-01-10-0.

OSHA does not universally require latches on every sling hook; whether a safety latch is required depends on the activity and application. In the letter of interpretation on safety latches on sling hooks (January 10, 2006) OSHA explains that latch requirements depend on the operation and refers to related maritime provisions such as 1918.66(e)(2) and other standards. See OSHA's interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2006-01-10-0 for guidance.

• Use latch-equipped hooks whenever practical to prevent accidental disengagement, unless the application makes latches impractical.
• Where a specific standard for a piece of equipment requires latches (e.g., some derrick/crane provisions), follow that requirement; otherwise use recognized industry practice and hazard analysis to decide.

Pallets must be made and maintained to safely support loads, reusable pallets used for hoisting must use bolts/nuts, drive screws, annular threaded nails or equivalent fastenings, wing or lip-type reusable pallets must be hoisted by bar bridles and have an overhanging wing or lip at least 3 inches, they shall not be hoisted by wire slings alone, loaded pallets that don't meet these requirements must only be hoisted after being placed on compliant pallets or handled by other safe means, bridles for flush-end or box-type pallets must be designed to prevent disengagement, pallets must be stacked to prevent falling or collapse, and disposable one-use pallets may not be reused for hoisting. These rules appear in 1918.62(k)(1)–(6).

• Inspect pallet fastenings regularly and replace damaged pallets — do not hoist pallets by wire slings alone (1918.62(k)(3)).
• Maintain at least a 3-inch overhang on wing/lip pallets used with bridles (1918.62(k)(2)).

Each repaired sling must be proof tested by the repairer to twice the sling's rated capacity before return to service, and the employer must retain a certificate of the proof test and make it available for inspection; this requirement is in the synthetic web sling repair/test provisions of 1918.62(g).

• The repairer (sling manufacturer or similarly competent entity) performs the test and provides the certificate.
• Keep proof test certificates with equipment records so they are available during inspections.

Several items explicitly require following manufacturer ratings/use recommendations and having them available for inspection, including wire rope and wire rope slings (1918.62(b)(1)), natural fiber rope (1918.62(c)(1)), synthetic rope (1918.62(d)(1)), synthetic web slings (1918.62(g)(4)), chains and chain slings (1918.62(h)(1)), shackles (1918.62(i)(1)), and hooks (1918.62(j)(1)).

• Keep manufacturer documentation or equivalent tables/certificates on site and readily available for inspectors and rigging personnel.

Only designated persons may inspect chains used for slinging and hoisting. 1918.62(h)(3)(v) requires that inspections be performed by persons designated by the employer because they have the training and competence to detect defects.

• Document who is authorized (designated) and ensure they have training in inspection criteria and removal limits described in 1918.62(h)(3).

Yes — manufacturers' test certificates indicating performance to the criteria in 1919.31(a), (c) and (d) are an acceptable exception to initial testing under 1918.62(j)(1).

• Keep the manufacturer's test certificate available for inspection to demonstrate compliance with the initial test requirement.

No — makeshift links or fasteners such as wire, bolts or rods shall not be used, as stated in 1918.62(h).

• Use properly dimensioned links or connections made of material similar to the original chain, and have repaired chains proof tested and certified per 1918.62(h)(5).

No — disposable pallets intended for one use must not be reused for hoisting. 1918.62(k)(6) explicitly prohibits reuse of single-use disposable pallets for hoisting.

• If a loaded pallet does not meet hoisting requirements, place the load on a compliant pallet or use another safe handling method as required by 1918.62(k)(3).

Links or portions of a chain that are replaced must be tested to the original chain's recommended proof test load before returning to service, and tests must be done by the manufacturer or certified by an agency accredited for that purpose under 1919.31, with test certificates available for inspection per 1918.62(h)(5).

• Use only properly dimensioned replacement links of similar material and retain the proof test certificate as inspection evidence.