When to Inspect Rigging Gear in Australia

When to Inspect Rigging Gear in Australia

Rigging equipment plays a critical role in lifting and material-handling operations across Australia. From lifting slings and shackles to chain blocks, spreader beams and other lifting accessories, equipment needs to be kept in a safe and serviceable condition.

But

when should rigging gear actually be inspected?

The answer depends on the type of equipment, how it is being used, the conditions it is exposed to and the requirements of your workplace procedures and relevant Australian Standards.

In this guide, we explain the key times when rigging equipment should be inspected and what Australian businesses should consider when managing their lifting equipment.

Why Are Rigging Inspections Important?

Rigging equipment can deteriorate through normal use, overloading, abrasion, corrosion, heat, chemicals and other environmental conditions.

A piece of equipment may look acceptable at first glance while still having damage that could affect its ability to safely perform a lift.

Regular inspections help businesses:

• Identify damaged or deteriorated lifting equipment

• Remove defective equipment from service

• Maintain inspection records

• Improve lifting equipment traceability

• Support workplace safety procedures

• Reduce the risk of equipment failure

• Demonstrate that lifting equipment is being properly managed

Inspection should be part of an overall lifting-equipment management system rather than something that only happens after a problem occurs.

When Should Rigging Gear Be Inspected?

1. Before Each Use

Rigging equipment should be visually checked before it is used.

Workers should look for obvious signs of damage, including:

• Cuts, tears or excessive abrasion

• Broken or damaged components

• Distortion or deformation

• Corrosion

• Heat damage

• Damaged stitching

• Worn hooks or latches

• Damaged identification tags

• Excessive wear

• Evidence of overloading

If equipment appears damaged or unsuitable for the intended lift, it should not simply be used because the damage “doesn’t look too bad.”

If you’re unsure whether lifting equipment is safe to use, remove it from service and have it assessed by a competent person.

2. During Regular Scheduled Inspections

Pre-use checks are important, but they should not replace formal periodic inspections.

Businesses should establish an inspection program appropriate for their equipment, workplace and operating conditions.

The inspection frequency may be affected by factors such as:

• Frequency of use

• Type of lifting equipment

• Working environment

• Exposure to chemicals or saltwater

• Exposure to extreme temperatures

• Abrasive conditions

• Previous damage

• Load frequency and severity

• Manufacturer recommendations

• Workplace procedures

• Applicable Australian Standards

High-use equipment operating in harsh environments may require more frequent inspection than equipment used occasionally in controlled conditions.

3. After an Incident or Suspected Overload

Rigging equipment should be inspected after an event that could have compromised its integrity.

Examples include:

• A dropped load

• Shock loading

• Suspected overload

• Equipment being caught or dragged

• A lifting incident

• Contact with machinery

• Significant impact

• Exposure to excessive heat or chemicals

Equipment involved in an incident should be removed from service until it has been appropriately assessed.

4. After Exposure to Harsh Conditions

Australian worksites can expose lifting equipment to challenging conditions.

This can include offshore and marine environments, mining operations, construction sites and industrial facilities.

Saltwater and coastal environments can accelerate corrosion, while chemicals, heat, UV exposure, mud and abrasive materials can contribute to deterioration.

For businesses operating in these environments, inspection and maintenance programs should account for the conditions the equipment is exposed to.

What Rigging Equipment Should Be Inspected?

A lifting-equipment inspection program can cover a wide range of equipment, including:

• Wire rope slings

• Synthetic webbing slings

• Round slings

• Chain slings

• Shackles

• Hooks

• Eye bolts

• Swivels

• Chain blocks

• Lever hoists

• Lifting beams

• Spreader beams

• Plate clamps

• Lifting points

• Other lifting accessories

Different types of equipment have different inspection requirements, so inspection procedures should be appropriate for the equipment being assessed.

What Happens If Rigging Gear Fails an Inspection?

If lifting equipment is found to be damaged or defective, it should be clearly identified and removed from service where appropriate.

Depending on the type and severity of the defect, the equipment may need to be:

Removed → Quarantined → Assessed → Repaired or destroyed → Replaced

It is important that defective equipment cannot accidentally make its way back into service.

A good lifting-equipment management system should make it easy for workers and supervisors to know:

What equipment is it?Has it been inspected?When was it inspected?Who inspected it?Is it currently in service?

Why Inspection Records Matter

An inspection is much more useful when there is a reliable record of what was inspected.

Businesses should be able to maintain information such as:

• Equipment identification

• Equipment type

• Working Load Limit (WLL)

• Inspection date

• Inspection result

• Defects identified

• Corrective actions

• Inspector details

• Next inspection due date

• Equipment status

Good record keeping also makes it easier for supervisors and lifting teams to identify equipment that requires attention.

Managing Rigging Inspections Digitally

Managing hundreds or thousands of lifting assets using paper forms and spreadsheets can become difficult.

Equipment can be missed, inspection dates can be difficult to track and records can become separated from the equipment they relate to.

This is where digital inspection and asset-management systems can help.

Rig Register, developed by Rigsure Inspections, is designed to help businesses keep track of lifting equipment and inspection information in one place.

Instead of relying solely on paper records, businesses can work towards a more organised digital system for managing their lifting equipment.

Australian Standards and Workplace Requirements

There isn’t a single inspection interval that applies to every piece of rigging equipment in every Australian workplace.

Inspection requirements can depend on the equipment, its application, manufacturer requirements, relevant Australian Standards, workplace procedures and the conditions in which the equipment operates.

For this reason, businesses should make sure their inspection procedures are based on the requirements applicable to their specific equipment and operations.

Relevant standards may include standards covering lifting slings, shackles, hooks, lifting devices and other components.

Always check the current edition of the applicable Australian Standard and manufacturer requirements for the equipment being inspected.

A Simple Rigging Inspection Approach

A practical inspection system can be thought of in four stages:

1. CHECK

Inspect equipment before use and at scheduled inspection intervals.

2. IDENTIFY

Record the equipment, identification number, condition and inspection information.

3. REMOVE

Immediately remove equipment from service if it is damaged or suspected to be unsafe.

4. RECORD

Maintain accurate inspection and asset records so the status of equipment can be easily verified.

Final Thoughts

Rigging equipment is an essential part of lifting operations across Australia, and keeping it in a safe, serviceable condition is an important part of managing lifting operations.

The key is not simply asking “How often should rigging gear be inspected?”

A better question is:

“What inspection program is appropriate for this equipment, this workplace and the conditions it operates in?”

By combining pre-use checks, scheduled inspections, appropriate post-incident inspections and reliable record keeping, businesses can create a more robust system for managing their lifting equipment.

Looking for a Better Way to Manage Rigging Inspections?

Rigsure Inspections is developing Rig Register, a digital platform designed to help businesses manage lifting equipment, inspection records and equipment status more efficiently.

Keep your gear organised. Keep your records accessible. Keep your lifting operations moving.

Rig Register — lifting equipment management, simplified.

This article is provided for general information only and does not replace the requirements of applicable legislation, Australian Standards, manufacturer instructions, workplace procedures or advice from a suitably competent person.

Alfie