Never saddle a dead horse

What’s wrong in the picture? A correct answer is: someone put the saddle on a dead horse (among other identifiable deficiencies).

When working with rigging cables it is important to adhere to relevant regulations and standards, and apply good industry practices. Failure to do so can result in personal injury, death, and/or property damage.

Most lifting and rigging regulations and standards prohibit the use of clips to make eyes for wire rope bridles, slings, or bull wires. Eyes must be made using methods conforming to applicable regulation and standards, e.g., eyes must be fabricated by pressing or swaging one or more metal sleeves over the wire rope junction.

When using U-bolt clips, the U part of the clip must be on the dead or short end of the wire rope; and the saddle must be on the live or long end of the wire rope. Also ensure that clip grooving is aligned with the lay of the wire rope so that grooving edges do not cut across and damage strands of the wire rope. Clips must be installed in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards; and in the quantities, locations, and spacings specified. Improperly installed clips can reduce strength to less than 40% of the wire rope’s; and result in failure during use.

For more information, see:

a) CFR 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling

b) ASME B30.9 Slings

c) ASME B30.20 Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices

d) ASME B30.26 Rigging Hardware — Safety Standard For Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, And Slings

e) IPT’s Crane and Rigging Handbook

NOTE Author has no affiliation or commercial incentive for mentioning any of the above publications.