VIThe safe use of Wire Ropes
Wire ropes are used for a vast range of different purposes with different attendant risks. Running wire ropes are particularly hazardous and as a general rule should be guarded or personnel excluded from their immediate vicinity whilst the rope is in motion.
Broken wires may develop during the working life of the rope and present a safety hazard to unprotected hands. Similarly the cut ends of the wire ropes contain sharp wire ends and need to be handled with care.
Car must be taken when unfastening a wire rope from a reel or coil because of the inherent springiness of the product and the consequent danger when it is released of it striking people close by.
Take the utmost care when removing exhausted/failed wire ropes from equipment as they may be grossly distorted, springy and tightly coiled.
Other risks will be dependant on the application and should be quantified by a risk assessment carried out by a competent person.
Store and handle wire rope correctly.
– Check that you have the correct rope for the
application.
– Check the rope against its test certificate.
– Remove rope from a reel or coil correctly without kinking.
– Ensure correct end terminations and rope anchors.
– Ensure correct location of the rope on the drum (if any)
– Inspect the wire rope for damage, wear, corrosion or abuse at the start of each work period.
