HANDLING AND CARE OF FIBER LINE

If you expect the fiber line you work with to give safe and dependable service, make sure it is handled and cared for properly. Procedures for handling and caring of fiber line arc as follows: l CLEANLINESS is part of the care of fiber line.

NEVER drag a line over the ground or over rough or dirty surfaces. The line can easily pickup sand and grit that can work into the strands and wear the fibers. If a line dots get dirty, use water only to clean it. Do NOT use soap, because it takes oil out of the line.

. AVOID pulling a line over sharp edges because the strands may break. When you have a sharp edge, place chafing gear, such as a board, folded cardboard or canvas, or part of a rubber tire, between the line and the sharp edge to prevent damaging the line.

. NEVER cut a line unless you have to. When possible, always use knots that can be untied easily.

Fiber line will contract or shrink if it gets wet. If there is not enough slack in a wet line to permit shrinkage, the line is likely to overstrain and weaken. If a taut line is exposed to rain or dampness, make sure that the line, while still dry, is slackened to allow for the shrinkage.

INSPECTION OF FIBER LINE

Line should be inspected carefully at regular intervals to determine if it is safe. The outside of a line does not show the condition of the line on the inside. Untwisting the strands slightly allows you to check the condition of the line on the inside. Mildewed line gives off a musty odor. Broken strands, or yarns, usually can be spotted immediately by a trained observer. You want to look carefully to ensure there is no dirt or sawdust-like materia] inside the line. Dirt or other foreign matter inside reveals possible damage to the internal structure of the line. A smaller circumference of the line is usually a sure sign that too much strain has been applied to the line.

For a thorough inspection, a line should be examined at several places. After all, only one weak spot, anywhere in a line, makes the entire line weak. As a final check, pull out a couple of fibers from the line and try to break them. Sound fibers have a strong

If an inspection discloses any unsatisfactory conditions in a line, see that the line is destroyed or cut into small pieces as soon as possible. This precaution prevents the defective line from being used for hoisting.

CHAIN

In the NCF, never use a chain when it is possible to use wire rope. The reason for this is because, unlike wire rope, chain does not have reserve strength and does not give any warning that it is about to fail; therefore, you will not be alerted of a potentially hazardous condition.

Chain is better suited than wire rope for some jobs because it is more resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and heat. When chain is used as a sling, it has no flexibility and grips the load well.

CHAIN GRADES

It is difficult to determine the grade of some types of chains by looking at them. Most chains used by the NCF are class A chain. If you are uncertain of the class or size of a chain, ask your supervisor.

CHAIN STRENGTH

Before lifting with a chain, make sure the chain is free from twists and kinks. A twisted or kinked chain placed under stress could fail even when handling a light load. Additionally, ensure that the load is properly seated in the hook (not on the point) and that the chain is free from nicks or other damage. Avoid sudden jerks in lifting and lowering the load, and always consider the angle of lift with a sling chain bridle.

The strength of any chain will be affected when it has been knotted, overloaded, or heated to temperatures above 500F.

HANDLING AND CARE OF CHAIN

When hoisting heavy metal objects using chain for slings, you should insert padding around the sharp corners of the load to protect the chain links from being cut.

Store chains in a clean, dry place where they will not be exposed to the weather. Before storage, apply a light coat of lubricant to prevent rust.

Do NOT perform makeshift repairs, such as fastening links of a chain together with bolts or wire. When links become worn or damaged, cut them out of the chain, then fasten the two nearby links together with a connecting link. After the connecting link is closed, welding makes it as strong as the other links. For cutting small-sized chain links, use bolt cutters. To cut large-sized links, use a hacksaw. Inspect the chain to ensure it is maintained in a safe, operating condition. A chain used continuously for heavy loading should be inspected frequently. Chain is less reliable than manila or wire rope slings because the links may crystallize and snap without warning. Examine the chain closely link by link and look for stretch, wear, distortion, cracks, nicks, and gouges. Wear will usually be at the ends of the links where joining links rub together. If you find wear, lift each link and measure its cross section.

NOTE: Remove chains from service when any link shows wear more than 25 percent of the thickness of the metal.

Replace any link that shows cracks, distortion, nicks, or cuts; however, if a chain shows stretching or distortion of more than 5 percent in a five-link section, discard and destroy the entire chain.

Remove chains from service when links show any signs of binding at the juncture points of the links. This condition indicates collapse in the sides of the links has occurred as a result of stretching. Before lifting with a chain, first place dunnage between the chain and the load to provide a gripping surface. For hoisting heavy metal objects with a chain, always use chafing gear around the sharp corners on the load to protect the chain links from being cut. As chafing gear, use either planks or heavy fabric. In handling rails or a number of lengths of pipe, make a round turn and place the hook around the chain, as shown in figure 13-29.

Figure 13-29.-Chain sling.

SLINGS

Slings are widely used for hoisting and moving heavy loads. Some types of slings come already made. Slings may be made of wire rope, fiber line, or chain.