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902 Well Site Preparation and Drilling Safety
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Wire Rope Maintenance

Wire rope is a cable composed of steel wires twisted around a central core of fiber or steel wire to create a rope of great strength and considerable flexibility.

Seizing Wire Rope

Maintenance activities involved with wire rope include visually inspecting wire ropes daily or per maintenance schedule.

Potential Hazards

  • getting cut from the loose (frayed) strands on the end of a rope
  • receiving injuries to face and eyes from flying chips when cutting wire rope

Possible Solutions

  • Seize (bind) wire rope before cutting to prevent the cut ends from unlaying (loosening). Tape over the seizing with electrical tape. Seize both sides of a cut as necessary.
  • Wear proper personnel protective equipment when cutting wire rope.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

8-4. What should be done to the ends of wire rope to prevent workers from getting cut by the loose strands?