BASF PASUMAI PROJECT – SHE TRAINING

TOPIC:- LIFTING OPERATIONS

Safe Slinging Practices
 Overview

• Terms & definitions

• Planning the lift
• The lift
• Landing the load
• Do’s & Don’ts
• Case study
• Slinging methods
• Safe slinging practice
 Terms & Definitions

• Crane driver/operator
– The person who is operating the crane to
position the loads.
• Slinger/signaler
– The person responsible for
• attaching and detaching the load,
• The use of correct lifting accessories,
• Initiating and directing the safe movement of the
load
 Terms & Definitions

• Competent person
– A person who has acquired, through a combination of
qualifications, training or experience, the knowledge and
skill to perform the task required.
• Grommet
– Endless wire rope sling.
• Lifting appliance
– Means any appliance capable of being operated by
mechanical, manual, or other means to raise or lower a load
in a vertical or near vertical plane, and includes any lifting
tackle.
• SWL
– Safe working load.
• WLL
– Working load limit. Normally relates to SWL and is the sam5 e
 Definitions

• Tag line
– A rope of suitable strength, construction and length
attached with an appropriate recognised bend or hitch
to the load, used to control the load during lifting or
positioning.
• Test certificate
– A certificate issued by an authorized person
• Lifting tackle
– Means any sling, shackle, swivel, ring, hook or other appliances,
including lifting beams, frames and spreaders, used in
connection with a lifting appliance or from the hook of a crane.
• MBL
– Minimum breaking load of the lifting tackle.
LI FTI NG MOVI NG LOW ERI NG

SAFETY HAS TO BE ENSURED I N ALL THESE

THREE ACTI VI TI ES
Planning the lift
 Planning the lift

Absence of planning leads to

Short cuts, using unsafe procedure, equipment
&
I t may cause
An ACCI DENT OR DELAY
 Planning the lift

• The following points must be considered

during planning:
– Where the load is to be picked up from
– Where the load is to be placed
– What areas to be passed over
– Any obstructions in the way
– How the load is to be slung
– How the slings are to be removed and
access to them
 Planning the lift

• For complex lifts, following points may have to

be considered:
– Special lifting accessories such as spreader beams to
ensure that the load is safely lifted and without
damage to the product (large machineries,
generators, etc.)
– Special connectors to connect special built in
connecting points. The operations may involve:
• Turning loads over or standing them upright
• Using more than one crane to lift a load.
 The lift

After slinging but before lifting, the following

must be considered

– Are the slings undamaged and properly attached

to the load?
– Is the crane hoist rope vertical?
– Is the load free i.e not attached to any thing else?
– Are the legs of multi legged sling equally loaded?
– Are all spare spare legs of the sling are hooked up
to the master link on the lifting hook?
 The lift

After slinging but before lifting, the following

must be considered
– Are all personnel clear of the load?
– Is the landing site prepared to take the
load?
– If required, is hand/tag lines attached to the
load?
 The lift

After slinging but before lifting, the following

must be considered
• Now lift the load a short distance above the
ground and check that:
– The load is balanced and stable.
– The legs of the slings are at correct angles.
– Any packing pieces used, are in place and sound.
– The load itself is not stressed, especially when lifting
packing cases, timber etc, which can fail under the
loads applied due to lifting.
 Landing the load

• The load should be landed gently to

ensure that it is not damaged and that the
crane does not receive any shock loading.
• Before landing the load check that:
– The landing area will take the weight of the
load.
– There is sufficient space for the load.
– There are strips of timber or similar on which
to land the load such that the slings can be
easily removed by hand.
 Do’s & Don’ts

Alw ays Never

• Wrap tag line around hand
• Ensure that only authorized or body.
slingers/signalers attach or • Leave a suspended load
detach loads, or signal the unattended.
crane operator.
• Pass loads over people.
• Discuss operations with the
crane operator (special • Ride or climb on
operations). suspended loads.
• Ensure that the capacity of the • Stand or walk beneath the
crane is sufficient. loads.
• Seek expert advice when using
eye bolts, plate clamp etc.
 What can happen, if,
adequate safety is not
observed?
 A case study 1

• The incident:
– In June 2003, a tragic incident occurred at
one of the oil and gas development site
in Algeria, resulting in one fatality and two
injuries.
– The incident occurred during the assembly
of an onshore drilling rig. A large section of
the rig was being lifted when a lifting chain
failed.
 A case study 1

Actual measurement to
hook position w as 9.43 m.

7.5 m to centre of crane

slew ring correct jib
P robably out of head/ hook position
alignment in this
direction (this w ould
transfer entire load to
one sling)
Chain being pulled into
angle w ould increase
tendency to jam and
prevent chain slipping
Sketch of out-of-alignment load path round to equalize
during lift, resulting in lifting chain loading
failure 19
 A case study 1

• The causes, as established by an investing

team:
– Use of an underrated chain sling.
– Incorrect slinging and lifting techniques.
– The crane hook was positioned off-centre, resulting
in the load path being out of alignment.
– Combined with a hinged load, this prevented the
sling from equalizing on all chain legs when raised.
– Consequently, the entire load of 23.1 tonnes was
placed on one chain leg that had a breaking load of
18.9 tonnes resulting in failure of chain
 Case Study 2

• Job : erection of gantry crane beams

• Description of Accident:
– Two beams of 11.5m X 1.5m X 0.75m weighing
about 6 tones were lying on concrete sleepers.
– Out of two beams one beam was lying on
sleeper in horizontal position.
– The other beam was in vertical position and was
to be positioned to make alignment with the first
beam.
 Case Study 2

• Job : erection of gantry crane beams

• Description of Accident:
– Slings were placed around the vertical beam.
– Mr. XYZ went up the beam to adjust the sling.
– He adjusted the sling and stood in between the two
beams.
– In the meantime someone gave signal to lift the
beam.
– Crane operator lifted the beam by about 4 mm up its
position.
 Case Study 2

• Job : erection of gantry crane beams

• Description of Accident:
– During that operation beam swayed towards
the first beam and Mr. XYZ was caught
between the two beams.
– On hearing the scream, crane driver placed
the beam back on its original position.
 Case Study 2

• Job : erection of gantry crane beams

• Description of Accident:
– Mr. XYZ got up and tried to get out of two
beams but he stumbled and fell down on
sleepers, got injury near left eyebrow.
– He was taken to hospital, but was declared
as dead.
Case Study 2
 Case Study 2 - Investigation
1. No hand rope (tag line) was used to avoid swinging
of the job.
2 Both the lifting rope used are having N no. of kinks
on it., naturally these kinks will have tendency to
swing the job.
3. No lifting hole or lugs were made to the beam to
rotate it.
4. Crane operator does not know who gave him
signal for lifting the job.
 incidents

• Apart from lifting machine, it is

also necessary to take care of
lifting tackles and lifting
procedure
Slinging Methods
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

1 Straight lift
WLL (Working Load Limit):
Under normal conditions
the WLL will be the WLL
for single leg slings.

Comment: A suitable
method of lifting an
effectively balanced load
from a single lifting point.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

2 Choke lift
WLL: The WLL should be
no more than 75% of the
WLL for single leg slings.

Comment: This method

forms a loop which
tightens as the load is
lifted. Do NOT attempt to
force the bight into closer
contact with the load.
Allow the chain to assume
its natural angle.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

3 Single leg in basket hitch

(back hooked into top link)

WLL: Under normal conditions the

WLL will be the WLL for single leg
slings.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

4. Two Single Leg Slings Used

Together

Two Single legs in a straight lift.

WLL: Rate as a two leg sling.
The WLL will, therefore, be the
same as an equivalent two leg
sling.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

4. Two Single Leg Slings Used

Together
Two Single legs in choke
hitch
WLL: The WLL should be the
WLL for the equivalent reeved
sling.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

4. Two Single Leg Slings Used

Together

Two single legs in basket hitch

WLL: Rate as a two leg sling. The

WLL should be no more than that
applicable to an equivalent two
leg sling.
 Slinging Methods

Single leg slinging method

Note:
Two single leg slings should not be used together to form a pair
unless:
a. They are of the same type, grade, size and length

b. They are both marked with the same WLL

c. The included angle between the two legs does not exceed
120. (measured between diagonally opposite legs)

d. The crane hook is large enough to comfortably accept both

upper terminal fittings of the slings.
 Slinging Methods

Two leg slinging method

1. Straight lift 2.Choke hitch 3. Basket Hitch

W LL: Under normal W LL: The W LL should W LL: Rate as a tw o
conditions the W LL w ill be no more than 75% leg sling.
be the W LL for a tw o leg of the W LL for a tw o
sling. leg sling.
 Slinging Methods

Endless slings

1. Choked endless

W LL: Under normal conditions

the W LL w ill be the W LL for
endless slings.

Comment: There is no need to

de-rate in this instance by
virtue of the choked
configuration
 Slinging Methods

Endless slings

2. Double Endless
W LL: Under normal conditions
the W LL w ill be the W LL for
endless slings.
 Slinging Methods

Three leg slings

1. Straight Lift 2. Choke Hitch

WLL: Rated as two WLL: Rated as two leg
leg sling. sling in choke.
 Slinging Methods

Four leg slings

1. Straight Lift
2. Choke Hitch
WLL: Rated as a
WLL: Rated as
two leg sling
a two leg sling
in choke
Safe Slinging P ractice
 Safe Slinging Practice

CS 1

Crane hook must

be on the CG

C.G.
Safe Slinging Practice

This load is not stable. The hook is over

the CG, but the CG is above the lifting
hook.
This load is top heavy, and could
overturn while being lifted
Safe Slinging Practice

This load is stable

The hook is right over
the CG.
 Safe Slinging Practice

Unstable
The load will shift until the
CG is under the hook.
The hook is not over
the centre of gravity This will make landing the load
very difficult, and could cause
major problems in crainage
 Safe Slinging Practice

500 500
Kg Kg
1000 1000
Kg Kg

707 707
Kg Kg 1932 1932
Kg Kg

90 90
45 45 30 30 15 15

1000 1000 1000 1000

kg kg kg kg
How to identify the correct angle?

At 45 degrees, H = L

As the angle becomes

less than 45 degrees, H
will be less than L

Therefore ensure that

H is always = or > L
H
L
45
 Safe Slinging Practice

Balanced ¼” off 1/2” off 3/4” off Point

load centre centre centre loading

Can carry Can carry Can carry Can carry Can carry
100% of 88% of 80% of 70% of 40% of
rated load rated load rated load rated load rated load
Safety latches
omitted
 Safe Slinging Practice

Softeners, padding or use of blocking..

 Safe Slinging Practice

CS 2

Tag line should be attached to the load swinging and to help it

landing in the right place.
 Unsafe Slinging

Lift and lower the load

smoothly, do not jerk
Unsafe Slinging
Unsafe Slinging
Unsafe Slinging
 Unsafe Slinging

KINKS
CS 2
Unsafe Slinging

I s it right method
to extend a chain
sling?
Unsafe Slinging

W hat an !dea,
Sirji
 Hand Signals

• When should the crane operator follow

hand signals?
– A crane operator should always move loads
according to the established code of signals,
and use a signaler.
– Hand signals are preferred and commonly
used.
 Hand Signals

• Who can give the hand signals?

– a person qualified to give crane signals to
the operator,
– there should be only one designated signaler
at a time,
– a crane operator should move loads only on
signals from one signaler,
 Responsibility of the signaler

• The signaler must:

– be in clear view of the crane operator,
– have a clear view of the load and the
equipment,
– keep persons outside the crane's operating
area,
– never direct a load over a person.
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

With forearm
vertical, forefinger
pointing up, move
hand in small
horizontal circle

HOI ST
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

With arm extended

downward,
forefinger pointing
down, move hand in
small horizontal
circle.

LOW ER
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

Arm extended
forward, hand open
and slightly raised,
make pushing
motion in direction
of travel.

BRI DGE TRAVEL

Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

TROLLEY TRAVEL.
Palm up, fingers
closed, thumb
pointing in direction
of motion, jerk hand
horizontally.

TROLLEY TRAVEL
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

Arm extended,
palm down, hold
position rigidly.

STOP
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

Use one hand to

give any motion
signal and place
other hand
motionless in front
of hand giving the
motion signal.
(Hoist Slowly shown
as an example.)

MOVE SLOW LY
Standard Hand Signals For Controlling Overhead
Cranes

Crane operator
spreads both
hands apart –
palms up.

MAGNET DI SCONNECTED
Finally, we must remember….
 Objective Of Good Slinging


The sling & its method of use should be suitable for the
load.

The method of attachment of the sling to the load & the
sling to the lifting appliance should be secure.

No part of the sling should be overloaded either by the
weight of the load or by the method of slinging.

The slinging method should ensure that the load is
secure & that the load will not fall from the sling.

The load should be balanced and stable & should not
violently change its attitude when lifted.

The load must not be damaged by, or cause damage to,
the sling.
 If we remember & achieve this Objective…..

The probability of accident will be minimum

Sling storage