The Safe Use of Lifting Hooks

This is a rigging question, and professional riggers ought to be charged with this sort of work. Cooper Tools makes a good number of specialized rigging tools.

Not being there and not knowing exactly what you are lifting, I cannot say what is most safe proper and controllable.

Rigging is a specialized skill and in my past I have refused to do work when the client did not recognize that my guys knew what they were doing, and they (the client),didn't.

unfortunately these days experience counts for little in the wake of health and safety officials trying to make a name for themselves.

cav

google is your friend

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22safe+rigging%22+%2Bsteel&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

Using a "Choke" is never the prefered method & Chains are only for straight lifts. A web sling with protection against sharp edges would probably be better. More information would be needed before making more specific recomendations. Trans is right that rigging should be done by professionals.

Hi..

Useing chains for erection of medium or heavy steel work is an unsafe practice. Chains are prone to slip and cause an accident.

For structural steel erection purpose always use tested slings properly crimped or weaved at both ends. The length of sling and the diameter of its eye should be selected and designed according to requirement of each heavy lift. Simlarly all your shakles, thimbles, bull dog grips. guys etc must be of correct rating and tested as per prevalent standard in your country. The crane hook should be able to swivel freely and must have a tight hook lock which will not allow any sling to come off during a sudden relaxed condition. As far as possible, the position of lifting clamps must be predetermined in the erection drawings.

Lifting chains are used in highly controlled conditions and under supervision. You'd find this practice in factories where repetitive lifts of same items are involved.

Anil Tiwari / New Delhi

If timber is put in between the chain and the steel or the chain is double wrapped it will not slip no matter how hard you try and make it do so. Not once the weight is on. If a web sling does slip it can cut.

A "C" hook will bit again if it is slackened for some reason. However, if a clasped hook slackens it will bit again but it may be against the clasp if in a wrapped situation. This is my argument and one I would like to prove.

cav

Hi Cav.

The advice above should be taken seriously. You have not indicated which part of the world you come from. Take it as true, every country has laws about rigging for good reason. No one can force you to do illegal and unsafe work. Transcendian's comment to refuse the work is the moral and lawful action you need to take. The fact that law is not being enforced on site does not excuse you from it. Nor will you be absolved of guilt when an injury or worse, a death results from the failure to work within the law.

If you are using qualified riggers who use unsafe practices you have the right to withdraw your staff from the area and issue an instruction to halt work until the action you suspect is unsafe has been cleared by a more senior rigger or better an engineer qualified in structural rigging.

Odd shaped items should be manufactured with lifting hooks designe in the correct position to lift the steel into place at the correct angle. We often build special lifting bars that allow access and positioning around other structure without compromising safety and to avoid collision with other components.

Hi Cav,

I think you will need some training in rigging before you are on the job. Any wrong method applied could lead to serious accidents. I suggest you consult your local rigging equipment supplier to guide you on this subject. For your kind information there many types of Hooks available, such as "C" Hooks with safety latches, "Ramshack" Hooks which are used for heavy loads with two sided sling. For sling you can use Chains/ Wire Rope with multi legs designated for particular load capacity. Web slings for handling precious loads. There are tackles designed to handle Steel Joists, Plates, Coils etc.

You have not given details of the steel being handled by you hence I can not recommend you the sling. Also which lifting equipment is used by you?.

Suresh Sharma.

The work involved is general steel erection. ie. universal beams or columns, some RHC and CHC. we operate under UK law but we are in a recession and although I have been involve in steel erection and crane work for 30yrs, it counts for nothing against these self appointed experts called safety officers (jacks of all trades and masters of none) You no there's a saying "a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous" and in this case it was never truer.

So to be in a position to stand your ground solid evidence is necessary. That is probable from a manufacturer of hooks or possibly a designer.

cav

I am a 3rd generation ironworker we erect steel out here in vegas for a living we never ever use chains for rigging. we use nylon webslings (carefull to protect from sharp edges) or wire ropes.

I personally prefer chain for the very reason of avoiding sharp edges both on the item and in snagging whilst hoisting. however, in this instance it's not even an option on offer. we are dealing with a major power station construction management team and their senior health and safety officer and s usual they throw their weight about to prove their worth. they wont listen to the experienced erector and safety goes out the window in leiu of vanity.

cav

Hi..

In cases when you have doubts about safety ask the person(s) who are insisting to give to you a written erection procedure or a erection scheme with sketches, where & how to hook, rating of the lifting tools etc. If i've correctly understood you are the person who is responsible for the safe and timely erection in this particular case.

I've been as an erection in charge for both thermal & nuclear power projects. In my country the law holds the erection in charge responsible for accidental deaths or damages. There is no question of one up-man ship or anybody else bull dozing his way. Decisions for heavy lifts are generally arrived at by consensus and invariably the erection procedure is well documented & approved by the project authority before hand.

Anil Tiwari / New Delhi

The problem lies with the risk of the beam going vertical if out of balance and slipping through the chain in choke hitch, maybe even slipping out of it completely, thereby threatening the beam, those things and people below it, and the crane itself. In general:

• Appropriately-selected beam clamps are a much better selection than using a chain in choke hitch. With this device, if it is slightly off-centre the beam won't go vertical even if it goes to an angle.
• In the absence of a beam clamp, a loop strop in choke hitch is a bit better than a chain in choke hitch, as the grip can be sufficient to restrain the beam even if it does go vertical.
• Can the steel be redesigned so that it has suitable lifting points designed-in from the outset?

There are national standards in the selection and use of cranes and rigging equipment and these must be followed.