Wire Rope Safety and Operation
Wire ropes are used on machines that lift and move heavy loads. Because of the potentially high loading on wire ropes, they can be one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment at a worksite. In this course, you will learn which personal protective equipment to wear while using wire ropes, safety guidelines for working with wire ropes, and how to recognize potential wire rope hazards. Because of the potential for accidents, knowing how to properly use and safely work around wire ropes is crucial to your safety and the safety of your co-workers.





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Course Details
Learning Objectives
Safety guidelines Breaking in a wire rope Maximum working load The importance of wire rope inspections Recognizing wire rope hazards
Specs
Frequently Asked Questions
What personal protective equipment should be worn when working around wire ropes?
What are ways to improve safety while working with and around wire ropes?
Why and how do you break in a wire rope?
What are some of the conditions that can cause wire ropes to become dangerous?
Sample Video Transcript
There are many conditions that can cause a wire rope to become dangerous. Immediately notify your supervisor if you see abrasion or wear. This can occur during the normal life of the rope. If the diameter of the outside wires has been reduced by more than 33%, the rope should be taken out of service. Bird caging. This is when the rope strands have become separated creating a bird cage effect. Bird caging is caused by sudden release of tension and greatly weakens a rope. Broken wires. Broken wires can occur within the rope or on the surface. The internal breaks are harder to find, but are very dangerous. Surface breaks can be spotted visually or detected by running a cloth over the surface to find snags.
Additional Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- OSHA Training Documents – https://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/slings.html
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – www.cdc.gov/niosh/
- NIOSH Publications – http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/chklists/r1n60s~1.htm
- US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) – www.usbr.gov
- USBR Safety and Health Standards – http://www.usbr.gov/ssle/safety/RSHS/appD.pdf