8.

Slings and Rigging Hardware

8.1 Purpose

This chapter describes minimum safety requirements for use of slings and other rigging
hardware by Saudi Aramco (SA) and contractor personnel.

8.2 References

SA General Instructions (GIs):

GI 7.024, Marine and Offshore Crane, Hoist, and Rigging Operations

GI 7.027, Crane Suspended Personnel Platform (Manbasket) Operations

GI 7.028, Crane Lifts: Types and Procedures

GI 7.029, Rigging Hardware Requirements

GI 7.030, Inspection and Testing Requirements for Elevating/Lifting Equipment

SA Standard Drawings

AA-036878-001, Spreader Beams H-Beams

AA-036878-002, Spreader Beams Pipes

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME):

ASME B30.9, Slings

ASME B30.10, Hooks

ASME B30.16, Overhead Hoists (Underhung)

ASME B30.20, Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices

ASME B30.21, Lever Hoists

ASME HST-2, Performance Standard for Hand Chain Manually Operated Chain
Hoists

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Engineers

(ASSE):

ANSI/ASSE A10.42, Safety Requirements for Rigging Qualifications and

Responsibilities

IPT’s Crane and Rigging Handbook

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 1 of 14

 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):

29 CFR 1926.251, Rigging Equipment for Material Handling

8.3 General Requirements

8.3.1 Rigging shall be per GI 7.024, GI 7.027, GI 7.028, GI 7.029, and IPT’s
Crane and Rigging Handbook.

8.3.2 All riggers shall be certified per GI 7.024 and/or GI 7.028, as applicable.
Only certified riggers shall rig loads.

8.3.3 Slings shall be in accordance with GI 7.029 and ASME B30.9 or

equivalent.

8.3.4 Other rigging hardware shall be in accordance with GI 7.029 and ASME
B30.20 or equivalent.

8.3.5 Slings and other rigging hardware shall have a minimum design safety
factor of 5.

8.3.6 The manufacturer’s safe working load (SWL) and serial number shall be
clearly marked on each sling. Riggers shall not use a sling unless the SWL
is clearly visible.

8.3.7 Slings shall have a durable identification tag or ferrule permanently affixed
that contains the identification information required by GI 7.029 for that
specific type of sling. Identification information shall be maintained by the
SA proponent organization (SAPO) or the contractor in legible condition
during the life of the sling. See Figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1 Sling Identification Tag

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 2 of 14

 8.3.8 Fasteners or other rigging hardware manufactured in-house from bolts,
rods, pins, hooks, etc., shall not be used.

8.3.9 SAPOs and contractors shall maintain a job-site log of slings containing
the following information: sling ID number, sling description, date placed
in service, SWL as stated in proof load certificate, and full details of
periodic inspections (e.g., completed SA 9657 forms).

8.3.10 Slings shall not be modified, repaired, shortened, or lengthened.

8.3.11 Defective or damaged slings and other rigging hardware, or slings and
other rigging hardware not complying with SA requirements, shall be
recorded in the Sling Inspection Log and immediately removed from the
job site and destroyed.

8.3.12 Working conditions that may affect slings and other rigging hardware shall
be evaluated, with special attention to temperatures, chemicals, abrasions,
etc.

8.3.13 Slings or other rigging hardware in contact with sharp corners shall be
padded to prevent damage to the sling, other rigging hardware or the load
being lifted.

8.3.14 Slings shall be rigged to provide the best load control.

8.3.15 The force on each sling during a lift shall be less than the sling
manufacturer’s rated SWL. The lift capacity and force calculated for each
sling shall be reduced as required for the lifting angle of the slings. See the
IPT’s Crane and Rigging Handbook. Multi-leg slings shall have a rated
SWL required for the most heavily loaded leg(s) rather than equally
distributing the total lifted load, as it is possible for some of the legs to take
essentially the full load while the other legs merely balance the load.

8.3.16 The recommended safe lifting angle for slings is 60 degrees above the
horizontal. Sling angles less than 30 degrees above the horizontal shall not
be used.

8.3.17 Other rigging hardware (e.g., shackles, eyebolts, hooks, rings, links,
coupling pins) shall be selected to provide capacities equal to or greater
than the SWL of the sling.

8.3.18 Rigging from process piping is prohibited. Loads shall be rigged from
load-bearing structural members only after prior approval is obtained from
the SAPO.

8.3.19 Standing or walking under a suspended load is prohibited.

8.3.20 Suspended loads shall not be left unattended.

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 3 of 14

 8.3.21 Slings and other rigging hardware shall be stored so as to protect them
from mechanical damage, corrosives, direct sunlight, moisture, extreme
heat, etc.

8.4 Inspection

8.4.1 The rigger shall visually inspect slings and other rigging hardware prior to
each use per GI 7.029.

8.4.2 Slings, other rigging hardware, and hooks shall also be periodically
inspected per GI 7.029 by a certified rigger at a maximum interval of 6
months. These inspections shall be recorded in the Sling Inspection Log
(SA 9657).

8.4.3 The SAPO may request that a certified inspector perform additional
assessments of slings and other rigging hardware as needed. The SAPO
reserves the right to require an increased frequency of inspections.

8.4.4 A-frames shall be inspected and certified by a SA-certified inspector per

GI 7.030 prior to attaching rigging equipment.

8.5 Alloy Steel Chain and Metal Mesh Slings

8.5.1 Alloy steel chain slings (see Figure 8.8) and metal mesh slings shall not be
welded upon and shall not have homemade or repaired links/mesh.

8.5.2 Alloy steel chain and metal mesh slings shall be visually inspected by the
rigger prior to use to verify they are not stretched twisted, bent, cracked,
etc.

8.6 Wire Rope Slings

8.6.1 Eyes for wire rope slings shall be the Flemish eye type (i.e., swaged
endings and pressed metal sleeve). See Figure 8.2.

Figure 8.2 Flemish Eye and Pressed Metal Sleeve

8.6.2 Homemade wire rope slings are not permitted and shall not be used.

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 8.6.3 Fold back eyes for wire rope slings are not permitted and shall not be used.
See Figure 8.3.

Fold back eyes are susceptible to cracking at these locations. Failure of fold
back slings can occur without warning. Fold back slings shall not be used for
overhead or construction rigging.

Figure 8.3 Fold Back Eye (Prohibited)

8.6.4 Aluminum ferrules shall not be used for wire rope slings.

8.6.5 Wire rope slings shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to
verify there is no evidence of the following (see Figure 8.4 and IPT’s
Crane and Rigging Handbook for examples):

A. Missing or illegible sling tag identification, including SWL.

B. Broken wires.

C. Abrasion (e.g., wire wear exceeds 1/3 the original diameter).

D. Crushed strands.

E. Kinking, birdcaging, or other distortion.

F. Evidence of heat damage.

G. End attachments that are cracked, deformed, or excessively worn.

H. Bent or open eyes/hooks.

I. Severe corrosion.

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 Figure 8.4 Examples of Wire Rope Damage

8.7 Synthetic Webbed Slings

8.7.1 Only synthetic webbed slings fabricated by stitching shall be used. See
Figure 8.9.

8.7.2 Synthetic webbed slings shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to
use to verify there is no evidence of the following (see Figure 8.5 for
examples):

A. Chemical or thermal burns on any surface of the sling.

B. Considerable fiber breakage beyond the edges (e.g., the warning strand is
not visible).

C. Snags, punctures, tears, or cuts.

D. Broken stitches.

E. Distorted or damaged fittings.

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 6 of 14

 Figure 8.5 Examples of Webbing Damage

8.8 Hooks

8.8.1 Hooks shall be in accordance with GI 7.029 and ASME B30.10 or

equivalent.

8.8.2 Hooks designed with a safety latch (catch) shall have a properly fitted and
self-closing latch. See Figure 8.10.

8.8.3 Hooks not designed with a safety latch shall be “moused” (see Figure 8.10)
to secure the load, except for sidebooms in pipe laying service. See Chapter
III-7, Cranes and Lifting Equipment. (Note: “Mousing” entails wrapping
wire or rope around the throat of the hook to ensure the rigging does not
slip out of the hook during a lift.)

8.8.4 Loads shall be applied only on the part of the hook designed to take them
(i.e., the bend [bow] of the hook).

8.8.5 Hooks shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to verify there
is no evidence of the following:

A. Visible cracks, nicks, gouges, or corrosion.

B. The body is twisted more than 10 degrees out of alignment.

C. The throat opening is stretched open more than 15% beyond the
manufacturer’s specification.

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8.9 Spreader Beams

8.9.1 Spreader beams (bars) shall be in accordance with GI 7.029 and ASME
B30.20 or equivalent.

8.9.2 Spreader beams shall be permanently identified with the manufacturer’s

name, ID/serial number, gross weight, SWL (rated capacity) and shall have
a valid inspection sticker issued by SA or by a SA-approved third-party.
See SA standard drawings AA-036878-001 and AA-036878-002.

8.9.3 Spreader beams shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to
verify there is no evidence of damage or defect.

8.10 Shackles

8.10.1 Shackles and other connecting devices (see Figure 8.10) shall be
completely closed or bolted.

8.10.2 Shackles shall be marked with the manufacturer’s SWL.

8.10.3 The correct shackle pin shall be used with each shackle. A shackle pin shall
never be replaced with rebar, mild steel bolt, or similar item.

8.10.4 Shackles shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to verify
there is no evidence of the following:

A. Signs of cracking around the eyes, signs of body wear, distortion, or

bending.

B. Pin does not secure (i.e., tighten) or seal adequately.

C. Signs of pin wear or flattening.

8.11 Eyebolts and Safety Hoist Rings

8.11.1 Shoulderless eyebolts shall be used only for vertical lifts. See Figure 8.6.

8.11.2 Shouldered eyebolts shall only be loaded at angles greater than 45 degrees
off the horizontal and shall only be loaded in the plane of the eye. See
Figure 8.6.

8.11.3 Safety hoist rings (swivel eyes) shall be bolted in place with a calibrated
torque wrench to maintain maximum capacity at all angles.

8.11.4 Eyebolts shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to verify
there is no evidence of the following:

A. Visible cracks, wear, or damage (often found inside and outside the
diameter at the top of the eye).

B. Stripped threads on the shank.

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 8 of 14

 C. Bending of the shank or distortion of the eye.

Figure 8.6 Use of Eyebolts

8.12 Wire Rope Clips

8.12.1 Wire rope clips (clamps) shall not be used to make slings for lifting
purposes.

8.12.2 Wire rope clips shall be installed with the bridge (flat) of the clip bearing
against the live (long) end of the wire rope and with the U-section pressing
against the dead (short) end of the rope (e.g., “Don’t saddle a dead horse”).
See Figure 8.7.

8.12.3 Wire rope clips shall be spaced about six-rope diameters apart and shall not
be staggered. See Figure 8.7.

8.12.4 Wire rope clips shall be visually inspected by the rigger prior to use to
verify there is no evidence stripped threads, cracks or other damage/defect.

CSM III-8 Slings and Rigging Hardware December 2016 Page 9 of 14

 Figure 8.7 Wire Rope Clip Installation

8.13 Come-A-Longs

8.13.1 Come-a-longs with defective or damaged components shall not be used.

8.13.2 The throat latch shall work properly and be in good condition.

8.13.3 The cable, chain, or strap shall be in good condition (e.g., no fraying or
splitting).

8.13.4 The rated load capacity shall be clearly marked on the come-a-long and
shall not be exceeded.

8.13.5 Appropriate end clamps and connectors shall be used.

8.13.6 Come-a-longs shall not be used instead of blocking raised equipment.

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 8.13.7 Come-a-longs shall not be straddled or connected to each other to increase
load capacity or reach.

8.13.8 Come-a-longs shall not be used for lifting loads unless they meet the
requirements of ASME B30.21.

8.13.9 Users shall ensure anchor points for come-a-longs are sufficient for the
load to be lifted.

8.13.10 Use of cheater bars on come-a-long levers is prohibited.

8.14 Chain Falls

8.14.1 Chain falls shall meet the requirements of ASME B30.16.

8.14.2 The rated load capacity shall be clearly marked on the chain fall and shall
not be exceeded.

8.14.3 The lift chain, pinion, sheaves, and hooks on chain falls shall be inspected
prior to use for excessive wear or distortion.

8.14.4 Users shall ensure anchor points for chain falls are sufficient for the load to
be lifted.

8.14.5 Chain falls shall have a properly fitted and working safety latch.

8.14.6 Scaffolding shall not be used as a point of attachment for lifting devices
such as chain falls, unless the scaffolding is specifically designed for that
purpose. See Chapter II-2, Scaffolding.

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 Figure 8.8 Sling Components and Fixings

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 Figure 8.9 Synthetic Webbing Slings

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 Figure 8.10 Sling Loading and Crane Hooks

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