Area Four videos get back to basics
- Details
In the first video, Eric takes a look at the two main types of shackle: the D shackle and the bow shackle (also known as the omega or anchor shackle).
Eric demonstrates that the D shackle should only ever join two components - one on the ‘D’ and the other on the Pin, while the bow shackle is allowed to take two items on the bow and one on the pin. As Eric warns, far too often there is wrong usage leading to potential safety issues at work.
Another serious consideration to be aware of is that all shackles must have a loading limit clearly marked, a manufacturers ID, and its batch number. If any or all of these designations is missing - Do Not Use!.
In his second video, Eric reviews roundslings, acknowledging that polyester roundslings have long proved to be a versatile and useful piece of equipment in the rigger’s armoury.
However, there are a few forbidden options that no rigger should ever use. Taking us through ‘no-go’ areas such as never knotting on the load, choking two slings together, or exposing the polyester roundsling to solvents or excessive heat, Eric provides a checklist on the do’s and don’ts of roundsling usage.
As Eric admits in his third short video, wire rope is of little use to riggers unless fitted with terminations - the ability to form attachment points to the rope. Although most often used when working with 10 mm diameter cables terminated with aluminium cold-pressed ferrules to trap a loop of wire rope around a thimble - the so-called, ‘hard-eye sling’ - it is worth pointing out that certain environments require riggers to work with increased levels of safety. Eric takes a look at the different considerations that may be necessary to factor in when using wire rope slings.
