iameter and weight,
its strength is constant whether wet or dry,
its length remains the same under varying weather conditions,
it has greater durability.

THINGS TO LOOK
FOR WHEN INSPECTING WIRE ROPE

Wire
rope should be visually inspected daily for wear, broken wire, and kinks.
A thorough inspection should cover these points:

Is there evidence of corrosion, wear, or kinks? A rope that had been
kinked cannot be repaired.
Are there any visible broken wires?  If so, replace the wire
rope if it does not meet the requirements of the Michigan safety standard
applying to its particular use.
Is the rope properly lubricated?  The rope should be kept properly
lubricated to avoid stiffness and corrosion.
What is the condition of the fitting or splices?  Any damaged
fitting or splice should be replaced immediately.
Are thimbles used to protect wire rope eyes where possible?
Is an adequate safety factor always used?
If there is evidence that the wire rope has been crushed, abraded,
flattened, bird caged or has sustained any other damage that distorts
it, the rope should be removed from service.

WIRE ROPE STORAGE
AND HANDLING

Wire ropes must be properly
stored when not in use, in order to:

protect them from grit and dirt,
give ready access to them,
permit accurate, complete visual inspections.

Wire
ropes must be handled in a manner to prevent kinking or twisting. 
Improper rigging and lifting shortens the working life of a rope and
puts your employees and equipment in danger.

WIRE ROPE LUBRICATION

The
importance of periodic lubrication cannot be overstressed.  A wire
rope is a machine, having many moving parts. Each time a rope bends
or straightens, the wires in the strands of the rope must slide on each
other.  Thus, a film of lubrication should be present on each moving
part.

A
second important reason for lubricating steel wire rope is to prevent
corrosion of the wires.  The lubricant also prevents deterioration
of the fiber core.  A rusty rope is a liability, since there is
no means of visual inspection, which can determine the remaining strength
of a corroded rope.

Lubricant
may be applied with an oil can, brush or any effective method. 
The objective is to apply a uniform coating to the entire length of
the wire rope.

 

Method of Clip
Installation

APPLY FIRST CLIP one base width from dead end of wire rope
U-bolt over dead end-live end rests in clip saddle.  Tighten
nuts evenly to recommend torque.

APPLY SECOND CLIP as close to the loop as possible U-bolt
over dead end turn on nuts firm but DO NOT TIGHTEN.

ALL OTHER CLIPS space equally between first two this should
be no more than one clip base apart turn on nuts take up rope slack
TIGHTEN ALL NUTS EVENLY ON ALL CLIPS TO RECOMMENDED TORQUE.

NOTE:
All clip saddles must bear on live end of rope and match rope size. 
The distance between the clips on a wire rope is governed by the diameter
of the rope.  For rope sizes from ½ to 2 ¼ in diameter, the number
of clips varies from 3 clips for ½ rope to 8 clips for 2 ¼ rope. 
The length of turned back rope also varies from 9 of turnback for ½
rope, to 112 of turnback for the 2 ½ rope.

A copy of the Michigan
Safety Standard pertaining to WIRE ROPE SAFETY

may be obtained from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic
Growth

MIOSHA Standards Section

(517) 322-1845

For additional safety
training contact:

Michigan Department
of Labor & Economic Growth

Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Consultation Education & Training Division

7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643

Lansing, MI 48909-8143

517-322-1809

www.michigan.gov/miosha