Rigging Gear Inspection Tips: Essentials for Success

Rigging gear inspection tips are crucial to ensure safety and compliance in lifting operations. These simple tips can help make your next rigging inspection run smoothly.

There are many different types of rigging products available in the marketplace. It is very important for production managers to maintain equipment while understanding each item's inspection requirements, and, most importantly, keeping their employees safe.

Different types of lifting slings

All lifting slings have different removal, service, testing, and tag requirements. This includes chain slings, metal mesh slings, wire rope slings, synthetic web slings, and synthetic round slings. Other equipment like hooks, rigging hardware, and lifting devices all have different safety requirements.

All Lifting understands the demands and effort required to maintain compliance with Australian standards and Workplace Health & Safety (WH&S). Our professionals, highly trained and certified employees, focus solely on the inspection of lifting, rigging, and height safety equipment.

Are you looking for an inspection that meets Australian standards?

Employers and employees hold the responsibility to ensure all lifting, rigging, and height safety equipment is inspected according to Australian standards. Inspecting each type of equipment follows a specific schedule based on various factors.

Tip: Record Keeping: It’s important to maintain records of completed inspections.

Relevant Australian standards for common lifting equipment include:

Some cases may apply additional standards to your rigging gear that are not covered by the Australian standards, often due to specific worksite specifications or due to a company developing more thorough internal standards.

Usually, this won’t pose a problem for a third-party inspector; however, informing them of any extra requirements will help them understand the inspection's scope and any other criteria that exceed basic inspection protocols.

Know Your Equipment: Do you have records of the types and amount of equipment that need inspection?

The cost of an inspection varies with different factors; most importantly, the inspectors need to be previously informed about the total amount and types of rigging gear needing inspection. For example, inspecting 100 lifting slings, 20 lifting devices, and 200 shackles will take longer than an inspection on a site with just 10 lifting slings.

To maximize efficiency, try to consolidate your equipment in one location if possible. Organizing an inspection schedule across different types of equipment can also help minimize costs.

We regularly inspect the following equipment:

• Lifting Slings: grade 80, 100, and 120 alloy chain slings, wire rope slings, synthetic round slings, synthetic web slings, and synthetic rope slings.
• Rigging Gear: materials handling equipment, lifting points, eye bolts, shackles, and hooks.
• Lifting Devices: lifting beams, spreader beams, pipe lifters, forklift attachments, and concrete kibbles.
• Cages: man boxes, material cages, and first aid cages.
• Height Safety: harnesses, lanyards, tripods, and fall arrest devices.
• Wire Rope

What Information Is Needed?

Additional factors can impact the performance of a rigging inspection and can save costs if inspectors are informed ahead of time:

1. Some work sites may require additional safety training or site inductions.
2. Will the inspector need to provide any special equipment such as for magnetic particle testing or on-site proof testing?
3. There could be hazardous environments at your work site, requiring additional equipment or specialized training.
4. Drug and alcohol testing, background checks, or police checks may be necessary.

Wrapping It Up

To ensure a smooth rigging inspection process, make sure you and the inspection team have discussed:

• Access requirements to your worksite.
• Previous inspection records or estimates of equipment types and amounts on site.

Choosing a third-party inspection provider can offer peace of mind if you’re unsure about compliance with applicable Australian standards and WH&S, allowing you to focus on your core operations. We offer digital reporting for easy access to your inspection records. Our deep understanding as both a distributor and manufacturer ensures proper usage and adherence to relevant standards.

If you’re interested in learning more or need a quote for our inspection services, please contact us today.