Section 296-155-55805. Wire rope slings.

(1) Manufacturing wire rope slings.

(a) Wire rope slings must be made from new or unused regular lay wire rope. The wire rope must be manufactured and tested in accordance with ASTM A 1023-02 and ASTM A 586.

(b) The following fabrication methods must be used to make wire rope slings:

(i) Hand splicing;

(ii) Turnback eye;

(iii) Return loop;

(iv) Flemish eye mechanical splicing;

(v) Poured or swaged socketing.

(c) Wire rope slings must have a design factor of 5.

(d) Wire rope slings must meet the requirements in Table 16.

(e) Using any of the following when making wire rope slings is prohibited:

(i) Rotation resistant wire rope;

(ii) Malleable cast iron clips;

(iii) Knots;

(iv) Wire rope clips, unless:

• The application of the sling prevents using prefabricated slings;

• The specific application is designed by a qualified person.

(f) You must install and maintain wire rope clips, if used, in accordance with the recommendations of the clip manufacturer or a qualified person, or in accordance with the provisions of ASME B30.26-2010.

(g) You must not use slings made with wire rope clips as a choker hitch.

Note:	If using wire rope clips under these conditions, follow the guidance given in Table 15.

Table 15

*	The tightening torque values shown are based upon the threads being clean, dry, and free of lubrication.

Table 16

Wire Rope Sling Configuration Requirements

(2) Wire rope sling fittings.

(a) You must use fittings according to the fitting manufacturer's directions.

(b) Rate slings with the load capacity of the lowest rated component of the sling. For example, if you use fittings that are rated lower than the sling material itself, identify the sling with the lower rated capacity.

(c) Weld any end attachments, except covers to thimbles, before assembling the sling.

(3) Identification information. All wire rope slings must have legible identification information attached to the sling which includes the information below, see sample tag in Figure 17. For slings in use that are manufactured before the effective date of this rule, you must add the information below before use or at the time the periodic inspection is completed.

(a) Name or trademark of the manufacturer.

(b) Diameter or size.

(c) Rated loads for the types of hitches used and the angle that the load is based on.

(d) Number of legs, if more than one.

(e) Repairing agency, if the sling is ever repaired.

Note:	Sample tag for a 1/2" single-leg sling 6x19 or 6x36 classification, extra improved plow steel (EIPS) grade fiber core (FC) wire rope with a mechanical splice (ton = 2,000 lb).

(4) Inspection.

(a) A qualified person must inspect wire rope slings before their initial use, according to Table 17, both:

(i) When the sling is new; and

(ii) Whenever a repair, alteration, or modification has been done.

(b) A qualified person must perform a visual inspection for damage, each day or shift the wire rope sling is used:

(i) Include all fastenings and attachments;

(ii) Immediately remove any sling from service that is damaged beyond the criteria listed in Table 17; or

(iii) Remove fiber core wire rope slings that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

(c) A qualified person must perform periodic inspections on wire rope slings according to Table 17.

(5) Repair, alterations, or modifications.

(a) Repair wire rope slings as follows:

(i) Make sure slings are only repaired by the sling manufacturer or a qualified person;

(ii) Mark the sling to show the repairing agency;

(iii) You must not repair wire rope used in slings, you must replace wire rope. Only end attachments and fittings can be repaired on a wire rope sling.

(b) Modification or alterations to end attachments or fittings are considered as repairs and must conform to all other provisions of this part.

(c) Proof load test repaired slings according to the requirements in subsection (6) of this section.

(6) Proof load tests. Make sure the sling manufacturer or a qualified person proof load tests the following slings before initial use, according to Table 18:

(a) All repaired slings;

(b) All slings incorporating previously used or welded fittings;

(c) For single- or multiple-leg slings and endless slings, you must proof load each leg according to the requirements listed in Table 18 based on fabrication method. The proof load test must not exceed 50% of the component ropes' or structural strands' minimum breaking strength;

Table 17

Wire Rope Sling Inspection and Removal Criteria

Table 18

Wire Rope Sling Proof Load Test Requirements

(d) The proof load test for components (fittings) attached to single legs must meet the requirements in (c) of this subsection;

(e) Proof load testing for master links must be in accordance with Table 19.

Table 19

Proof Load Test for Master Links on Wire Rope Slings

(7) Rated load. The term "rated capacity" is commonly used to describe rated load.

Note:	Rated loads are based on the following factors:
	• Strength of sling material;
	• Design factor;
	• Type of hitch;
	• Angle of loading (see Figure 18, Angle of Loading);
	• Diameter of curvature over which the sling is used (D/d) (see Figure 19, D/d ratio);
	• Fabrication efficiency.

(a) You must use wire rope slings within the rated loads shown in Tables 7 through 15 in ASME B30.9-2010. For angles that are not shown in these tables, either use the rated load for the next lower angle or have a qualified person calculate the rated load.

(b) Prohibit the use of horizontal sling angles less than 30 degrees unless recommended by the sling manufacturer or a qualified person. See Figure 18.

(c) Rated loads for slings used in a choker hitch must conform to the values shown in the above referenced tables, provided that the angle of choke is 120 degrees or greater. See Figure 20 and Table 20, Angle of Choke.

(d) Use either Figure 20 and Table 20, the manufacturer, or a qualified person to determine the rated load if the angle of choke in a choker hitch is less than 120 degrees.

(i) Inspect the entire length of the sling including splices, end attachments, and fittings.

(ii) Remove slings from use if any of the conditions in Table 17 are found.

(iii) Keep a record of the most recent periodic inspection available, including the condition of the sling.

Note:	An external code mark on the sling is an acceptable means of recording the inspection as long as the code can be traced back to a record.

Note:	When D is 25 times the component rope diameter (d) the D/d ratio is expressed as 25/1.

Table 20

Angle of Choke

(8) Use of wire rope slings.

(a) Hitch the slings in a way that provides control of the load.

(b) Shorten or adjust slings using only the methods approved by the manufacturer or qualified person.

• Do not shorten or lengthen by knotting, twisting, or by wire rope clips.

(c) Keep all parts of the human body from between the sling and the load, crane, or hoist hook.

(d) You must cover or blunt protruding ends of strands in splices on slings and bridles.

(e) You must not pull a sling from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.

(f) Prohibit all of the following:

(i) Intentional shock loading;

(ii) Avoid twisting and kinking.

(g) Decrease the rated load of the sling when D/d ratios (Figure 19) smaller than 25 to one. Consult the sling manufacturer for specific data or refer to the Wire Rope Sling User's Manual (wire rope technical board).

(h) Follow Table 21, Use of Wire Rope Slings or Clips, when using any of the identified wire rope slings or clips.

(i) You must protect slings in contact with edges, corners, or protrusions with a material of sufficient strength, thickness, and construction to prevent damage to the sling. See Figure 14.

Table 21

Use of Wire Rope Slings or Clips

	Proper Installation Requires
	• Correct number of clips for wire rope size
	• Correct spacing of clips
	• Correct turnback length
	• Correct torque on nuts
	• Correct orientation of saddle on live end

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 16-09-085, § 296-155-55805, filed 4/19/16, effective 5/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 13-02-068, § 296-155-55805, filed 12/31/12, effective 2/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.440, 49.17.060, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 12-01-086, § 296-155-55805, filed 12/20/11, effective 2/1/12.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 16-09-085, § 296-155-55805, filed 4/19/16, effective 5/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 13-02-068, § 296-155-55805, filed 12/31/12, effective 2/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.440, 49.17.060, and 29 C.F.R. 1926, Subpart CC. WSR 12-01-086, § 296-155-55805, filed 12/20/11, effective 2/1/12.