820 Cranes and Derricks Safety I

Wire Rope, Devices, and Aids

Wire Rope Inspection

The shift and monthly inspections must evaluate all visible rope during the shift in which the inspection is conducted. The annual inspection must include the entire length of the rope.

The shift and monthly inspections must pay particular attention to the following:

• rotation resistant wire rope in use;
• wire rope being used for boom hoists and luffing hoists, particularly at reverse bends;
• wire rope at flange points, crossover points, and repetitive pickup points on drums;
• wire rope at or near terminal ends; and
• wire rope in contact with saddles, equalizer sheaves, or other sheaves where rope travel is limited.

In addition to these items, the annual inspection must include:

• those sections normally hidden during shift and monthly inspections,
• wire rope subject to reverse bends, and
• wire rope passing over sheaves.

You must take certain action if an inspection reveals a defect in the rope. Some defects require either the rope be removed from service or the damaged section be severed. For others, the inspector must evaluate whether the defect constitutes a safety hazard, with the corrective action depending on the outcome of the evaluation.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.