Published 01-15-2016, Control # 526-01 2-29
RT540E OPERATOR MANUAL SAFETY INFORMATION
• Any kinking, bird caging, crushing, corrosion, or other
damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure.
• Rope that has been in contact with a live power line or
has been used as a ground in an electric circuit (eg.
welding) may have wires that are fused or annealed and
must be removed from service.
• In standing ropes, more than three (3) breaks in one
rope lay in sections beyond the end connection or more
than two (2) broken wires at an end connection.
• Core deterioration, usually observed as a rapid
reduction in rope diameter, is cause for immediate
removal of the rope.
The following is a brief outline of the basic information
required to safely use wire rope.
• Wire ropes wear out. The strength of a wire rope begins
to decrease when the rope is put to use and continues to
decrease with each use. Wire rope will fail if worn-out,
overloaded, misused, damaged or improperly
maintained.
• The nominal strength, sometimes called catalog
strength, of a wire rope applies only to a new, unused
rope.
• The nominal strength of a wire rope should be
considered the straight line pull which will actually break
a new unused rope. The nominal strength of a wire rope
should never be used as its working load.
• Each type of fitting attached to a wire rope has a specific
efficiency rating which can reduce the working load of
the wire rope assembly or rope system.
• Never overload a wire rope. This means never use the
wire rope where the load applied to it is greater than the
working load determined by the rope manufacturer.
• Never “shock load” a wire rope. A sudden application of
force or load can cause both visible external and internal
damage. There is no practical way to estimate the force
applied by shock loading a rope. The sudden release of
a load can also damage a wire rope.
• Lubricant is applied to the wires and strands of a wire
rope when it is manufactured. The lubricant is depleted
when the rope is in service and should be replaced
periodically. Refer to the Service Manual for more
information.
• In the U.S.A., regular inspections of the wire rope and
keeping of permanent records signed by a qualified
person are required by OSHA for almost every wire rope
application. The purpose of the inspection is to
determine whether or not a wire rope may continue to be
safely used on the application. Inspection criteria,
including number and location of broken wires, wear and
elongation, have been established by OSHA, ANSI,
ASME and similar organizations. See the Service
Manual for inspection procedures.
When inspecting ropes and attachments, keep all parts
of your body and clothing away from rotating hoist drums
and all rotating sheaves. Never handle the rope with
bare hands.
Some conditions that lead to problems in wire rope
systems include:
- Sheaves that are too small, worn or corrugated
cause damage to a wire rope.
- Broken wires mean a loss in strength.
- Kinks permanently damage a wire rope and must be
avoided.
- Wire ropes are damaged by knots. Wire rope with
knots must never be used.
- Environmental factors such as corrosive conditions
and heat can damage a wire rope.
- Lack of lubrication can significantly shorten the
useful life of a wire rope.
- Contact with electrical wires and resulting arcing will
damage a wire rope.
• An inspection should include verification that none of the
specified removal criteria for this usage are met by
checking for such things as:
- Surface wear; nominal and unusual.
- Broken wires; number and location.
- Reduction in diameter.
- Rope stretch (elongation).
- Integrity of end attachments.
-
Evidence of abuse or contact with another object.
- Heat damage.
- Corro
sion.
NOTE: A
more detailed wire rope inspection procedure is
given in the Service Manual.
• When a wire rope has been removed from service
because it is no longer suitable for use, it must not be
reused on another application.
When installing a new rope:
• Keep all parts of your body and clothing away from
rotating hoist drums and all rotating sheaves.
• Never handle the wire rope with bare hands.
• Follow proper instructions for removing rope from a reel.
• Apply back tension to the storage/payoff reel of the new
rope to insure tight, even spooling onto the hoist drum.
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