by Mike Parnell, “The Pro Rigger”
Crane and rigging accidents can generally be tracked back to a
collection of events all arriving at the same place in time. In the last three years alone, ITI Field Services has investigated the cause of 8 fatalities and the leading reason for the fatalities can be tracked back to a lack of sling protection.
In most cases, synthetic slings had been properly selected but not well protected. Web slings and roundslings can be quickly damaged from cutting and friction. In ASME B30.9 Slings it states, “Slings in contact with edges, corners, protrusions, or abrasive surfaces shall be protected with a material of sufficient strength, thickness, and construction to prevent damage”.