Evidence of heat damage

End attachments that arc cracked, deformed, or worn Hooks that have an obviously abnormal (usually 15 percent from the original specification) throat opening, measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook . Corrosion of the wire rope sling or end attachments

To avoid confusion and to eliminate doubt, you must not downgrade slings to a lower rated capcity. A sling must be removed from service if it cannot safely lift the load capacity for which it is rated. Slings and hooks removed from service must be destroyed by cutting before disposal. This ensures inadvertent use by another unit.

When a leg on a multiple-leg bridle sling is unsafe, you only have to destroy the damaged or unsafe leg(s). Units that have the capability may fabricate replacement legs in the field, provided the wire rope replacement is in compliance with specifications. The NCF has a hydraulic swaging and splicing kit in the battalion Table of Allowance (TOA). The kit, 80092, contains the tools and equipment necessary to fabricate 3/8- through 5/8-inch sizes of wire rope slings. Before use, all fabricated slings must be proof-tested as outlined in the COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST 11200.11.

Spreader bars, shackles, hooks, and so forth, must also be visually inspected before each usc for obvious damage or deformation.

Check fiber line slings for signs of deterioration, caused by exposure to the weather. See whether any of the fibers have been broken or cut by sharp-edged objects.

Proof Testing Slings

All field fabricated slings terminated by mechanical splices, sockets, and pressed and swaged terminals must be proof-loaded before placing the sling in initial service.

The COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST 11200.11 has rated capacity charts enclosed for numerous wire rope classifications. You must know the diameter, rope construction, type core, grade, and splice on the wire rope sling before referring to the charts. The charts will give you the vertical-rated capacity for the sling. The test weight for single-leg bridle slings and endless slings is the vertical-rated capacity (V. R. C.) multiplied by two (V.R.C. x 2 = sling test weight).

The test load for multiple-leg bridle slings must be applied to the individual legs and must be two times the vertical-rated capacity of a single-leg sling of the same size, grade, and wire rope construction. When slings and rigging are broken out of the TOA for field use, they must be proof-tested and tagged before being returned to CTR for storage.

Records

A card file system, containing a record of each sling in the unit's inventory, is established and maintained by the crane crew supervisor. Proof Test/Inspection Sheets (fig. 13-41) are used to document tests made on all items of weight-lifting slings, spreader bars, hooks, shackles, and so forth. These records are permanent and contain the following entries at a minimum:

^1. Sling identification number (unit location and two-digit number with Alfa designation for each wire rope component)

2. Sling length

3. Cable body diameter (inches) and specifications

^4. Type of splice

5. Rated capacity

6. Proof test weight

7. Date of proof test

8. Signature of proof test director

All the slings must have a permanently affixed, near the sling eye, durable identification tag containing the following information:

1. Rated capacity (in tons) (vert. SWL)

2. Rated capacity (in tons) (45-degree SWL)

3. Identification number

Spreader bars, shackles, and hooks must have the rated capacities and SWL permanent]y stenciled or stamped on them. OSHA identification tugs can be acquired at no cost from COMTHIRDNCB DET, Port Hueneme, California, or COMSECONDNCB DET, GulfPort, Mississippi. Metal dog tags are authorized providing the required information is stamped onto the tags.

Figure 13-41.-Proof Test/Inspection Sheet.

Storage

Wire rope slings and associated hardware must be stored either in coils or on reels, hung in the rigging loft, or laid on racks indoors to protect them from corrosive weather and other types of damage, such as kinking or being backed over. Slings are not to be left on the crane at the end of the workday.