Rigging Equipment Inspection Safety
A safety talk focused on inspecting rigging equipment before use, including slings, hooks, shackles, chains, tags, hardware, wear, deformation, and removal from service.
Scan to open or share
Point your phone at this code to open this talk, or screenshot it and text it to coworkers.
Printable Resources
Link to printable files for crew meetings, briefings, or documentation.
Key Hazards
- Rigging failure during lifting
- Damaged slings, hooks, shackles, or chains used in service
- Missing or unreadable load rating tags
- Cracks, stretching, corrosion, cuts, or deformation
- Improper hardware used for the load
- Workers exposed to falling or shifting loads
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Rigging equipment inspection is a critical step before any lift. A sling, hook, chain, shackle, or lifting device may look acceptable at a glance but still have damage that can lead to failure under load.
Rigging should be inspected before use by someone who understands what damage looks like. Cuts, broken wires, crushed sections, cracks, bent hooks, stretched links, worn pins, corrosion, burns, knots, and damaged fittings should be taken seriously.
Load rating tags and markings must be readable. If the capacity cannot be verified, the rigging should not be used until it is evaluated according to procedure.
Hooks, shackles, eyebolts, clips, rings, and other hardware should be checked for deformation, wear, proper pins, correct orientation, and compatibility with the load and sling.
Synthetic slings should be checked for cuts, melting, chemical damage, abrasions, broken stitching, knots, and damaged eyes. Wire rope and chain have different inspection concerns and should be checked accordingly.
Rigging that is damaged or questionable should be removed from service immediately. It should not be returned to the rack or left where another worker may use it by mistake.
Inspection should also consider how the rigging will be used. Sharp edges, heat, chemicals, shock loading, sling angle, and hitch type can all affect whether the equipment is safe for the lift.
A good rigging inspection protects everyone near the load. If there is any doubt about condition, rating, or proper use, stop and get the rigging evaluated before lifting.
Safety Reminders
- Inspect rigging before each use.
- Check slings, hooks, chains, shackles, pins, and fittings.
- Verify tags and load ratings are readable.
- Look for cuts, cracks, corrosion, stretching, and deformation.
- Remove damaged or questionable rigging from service.
- Use rigging compatible with the load and lift plan.
- Stop the lift if rigging condition is uncertain.
Ask the Crew
- Has all rigging been inspected before this lift?
- Are tags and load ratings readable?
- Are there cuts, cracks, bent parts, corrosion, or stretched components?
- Is the hardware correct for the load and hitch?
- Has questionable rigging been removed from service?