FEATURE | LOAD SECURITY
by acids. Both are affected by UV light; so, if used outdoors, especially in sunny climates, they will over time degrade and need replacement. (Yet one more advantage of Dyneema becomes apparent here: it is UV stable, so can have a long working life even outdoors in hot climates.) Some of the drawbacks of artificial
fibres can be reduced by fitting protection sleeves to the sling. These, too, can be made from different materials. Trans-web, based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, have been manufacturing them for over 35 years. Polyester, they say, is most commonly used for lifting sleeves because of its affordability, flexibility, strength and high resistance to mildew and rot. It is also naturally water and moisture resistant due to its tightly woven fibres. This ensures that protection sleeves made from this material maintain their integrity even in damp or wet conditions.
But other materials are becoming
available. Trans-web has just released a set of new products in the form of protection sleeves in HMPE and Para- amide. With HMPE again its durability and high resistance to chemicals and UV exposure show to advantage. Para-aramide is another alternative. This material is lightweight and flexible, highly resistant to cuts and abrasion, and can handle extreme is therefore ideal for demanding and high- temperature applications such as metal and glass manufacturing, chemical plants and emergency and rescue operations. Lifting protection sleeves are useful in handing rough surfaces in situations where abrasion is common, such as construction, manufacturing and logistics. Friction against the load – on corners and sharp edges especially - can fray or tear fabric straps; and a strap with any such
damage should of course not be used. A protection sleeve does what it says on the tin: it provides a barrier against abrasion, so reduces the risk of the sling breaking and extending its the lifespan. Lifting sleeves also offer protection against environmental factors, including sunlight. As we have seen, HMPE is highly resistant to UV rays, and can shield the strap within it. It is also resistant to many chemicals, which prevents corrosion or weakening in harsh industrial environments, such as chemical plants or oil and gas operations. Trans-Web protection sleeves are
available in single part, double part and light-duty variations, and can be tailored to any length. Slings to secure your load, therefore, suit your application; use it properly and safely; and you have lift-off.
COLUMBUS MCKINNON MAKE LOAD SECURITY DOWNLOADABLE
Safe rigging of any load is a first essential of load security. Major hoist manufacturers Columbus McKinnon has just released its popular CM Rigging Pocket Guide handbook as a downloadable version that is available online. Downloaded as a pdf to smartphone or tablet, it therefore becomes available to riggers and operators on- or off-site as an instantly-accessible aid to efficient and safe practice. The 69-page handbook covers topics such as slings – chain,
web, round and wire rope -, different types of rigging hardware – hoist rings, shackles, turnbuckles, master links and more – as well as a guide to hand signals. Particularly useful would be the Reference section, which includes a tension calculator and a load angle tension chart; as well as sections on basic knots, hitch and choke reductions, equations, material weights (densities), and a pre-operation checklist. For example, it tells you, in easily accessible and very clearly
drawn chart form, that in the case of choker hitches, the sling tags and safe working load limits are based on the angle of choke being 120 degrees or higher; while on a basket sling the SWL is based on both legs being within 5 degrees of the vertical. WLL data for chain clings and web slings - both endless and eye- and-eye are provided; different classes of wirer rope slings are covered; three-leg bridles are in there also. Basic procedures are covered; so too are detailed technical
topics. Thus for the first, users are rereminded that for an eye bolt, the load pull should always be in the plane of the eye and always above 45 degrees; for the second, that minimum engagement depths for threaded hoist rings and eye rings are one-and-a-half times the thread diameter and that only shoulder eye bolts may be side loaded.
On shackle usage, readers are reminded that if shackles need
to be connected one to another it should be done bow to bow or bow to pin, never bow to pin. Colour coding of CM’s Quick Connect hooks; safe use of plate clamps and beam clamps; as well as tension calculation formulas for drifting loads – that is, safely moving the load horizontally using two chain hoists, in the course of which the tensions in each chain will continuously vary. Diagrams and explanations are clear and easily-read throughout. As a memory-aid to experienced operators, the booklet is
extremely useful. As a training aid for the less experienced, it might prove even more valuable.
The CM Rigging Guide - A Handbook for Rigging and Hoisting Applications is downloadable free of charge from the Columbus McKinnon website at
https://bit.ly/4hwiVxH .
32 | February 2025 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
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