Devices for Moving Loads
4. HAZARDS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN THE HANDLING OF AUXILIARY ELEMENTS
Auxiliary elements are lifting accessories situated between the equipment and the load (cables, chains, hooks, slings). The most common hazards when using these elements are the following:
- The load falling due to the lack of safety latches on hooks.
- Failure of the element.
- Pinching in the handling of cables.
- The load slipping.
Preventive measures:
- For ropes:
- The diameter to use is to be greater than 8 mm.
- The maximum payload is to be 1/10 of the failure load.
- Periodic checks to detect defects.
- For cables:
- The maximum payload is to be 1/6 of the failure load.
- Periodic checks.
- Avoid bending, knots and squashing.
- Grease periodically with the suitable grease recommended by the manufacturer.
- When forming “eyes” in the cable, use at least three clamps with the fixed part towards the short end (bolts on the longer section).
- For polyester slings:
- Their safety coefficient must be 1/7.
- Periodic checks of their state of repair.
- Reject slings with tears or cuts.
- For chains:
- The maximum payload is to be 1/5 of the failure load.
- Periodic checks of their state of repair.
- Reject cracked, corroded or worn links.
- For hooks:
- Their safety factor is to be 4 for the maximum rated load and 5 when transporting hazardous material.
- They are to be equipped with a safety bolt.
- Reject cracked, corroded or deformed hooks.
