Contributed by Bob Kozickie, Technical Sales Support Manager

Alloy steel chain slings are the most durable products used for lifting and rigging. So, why do alloy chain slings fail? Every year we read and hear stories of catastrophic chain sling breaks. When these failures happen, the broken sling components are then sent back to the sling manufacturer or an independent third party for detailed examination, testing, and laboratory analysis.  The resulting failure analysis report frequently comes back to one of a short list of conclusions. We will take a look at some of the most common reasons that these incidents occur.

The first reason to look at why a chain sling failure occurs is due to failure to inspect. OSHA 1910.184 states that alloy steel chain slings shall be inspected on a daily basis by a competent person as designated by the employer. Employers are also required to have a documented written inspection for every alloy chain sling at intervals not greater than once every 12 months. These records must also be made available for examination. Chain sling inspections may be required to be inspected on a more frequent basis depending on frequency of use, the severity of service conditions, and the nature of lifts being made. Inspections detect sling component areas where the criteria for removal are noted. Alloy chain slings that have remained in service for extended period of time without being thoroughly inspected are most susceptible to failure.

Ensuring that a Lift Plan, Risk Assessment, and Load Control are followed will significantly reduce the possibility of a chain sling failure. A qualified or certified rigger knows the specific information they need to have in order to properly and safely lift their loads. The key facts are the weight of the load, number and locations of the attachment points, amount of headroom, and the center of gravity (COG). Failure to take the time to verify these key pieces of data can result in a catastrophic chain sling failure. This, in addition to using industry approved and properly inspected rigging hardware components, will minimize the risk of the sling failure. Many times riggers have used componentry or grades of chain other than grade 80 or 100 to lift their loads. Grade 80 and 100 is the only chain and attachments approved for overhead lifting by OSHA, ASME, and manufacturers’ recommendations.

The remaining common reasons that alloy steel chain slings fail is abuse and misuse. These can include:  overloading the rated sling capacity, twisting the chain or tying it in knots to shorten a leg, failure to store the slings properly, not padding the corners of sharp loads, and dragging chain slings across a concrete floor among other possible conditions. Respect for rigging leads to higher safety standards for the company, employees, co-workers, property, but most of all yourself and your family!

There are a number of steps that we can take to limit the possibility of an alloy steel chain sling failure from occurring. The first step is performing a daily sling inspection to help to catch a damaged sling between the required annual inspection intervals. Taking the time to properly prepare a Rigging Plan will significantly reduce the chances of any rigging failures. Finally, extensive knowledge and understanding of basic safety information, proper training, and safety education all result in a safer work environment.

Contributed by Bob Kozickie, Technical Sales Support Manager

Peerless Grade 80 alloy chain has dominated the lifting and rigging market for many years. This is due to the fact that alloy chain is strong, durable, ductile, and can perform well in extreme environmental conditions. It also has the versatility to be used in a variety of different applications. Advancements in metallurgy and process technology is now helping to transition the market into making Grade 100 alloy chain the preferred riggers choice. These advancements have been attained without compromising any of the characteristics required to be compliant with ASME, ASTM, ANSI, and NACM Standards. There are a couple of differences and many similarities between the two grades but the Grade 100 working load limit makes it the best choice for lifting.

Looking at the two grades, capacity is the predominant feature which gives Grade 100 the greatest advantage. Grade 100 chain has roughly a 25% higher capacity rating when compared to a comparable size Grade 80. This increase has given a significant ergonomic advantage to the Grade 100. For example, a 3/8” Grade 80 single leg chain sling has a capacity of 7,100 lbs., where as a 3/8 Grade 100 Single leg chain sling has a capacity of 8,800 lbs. The 1,700 lbs. of additional capacity can play a major factor if the rigger needs to lift a 4 Ton load. Lifting this load would require the rigger to use a 1/2” Grade 80 chain sling. 3/8” Grade 100 has an approximate weight of 1.5 lbs/ft and the 1/2” Grade 80 weighs about 2.5 lbs/ft. The weight differential would be compounded if the chain sling had a long reach with multiple lifting legs. This same differential is carried out through all sizes of Grade 100 alloy chain.

Alloy lifting chain will continue to evolve with higher lifting capacities which will give the rigger additional advantages when using chain slings to make their lifts.

Answer by Jon Fryman, Product Specialist & Training Manager

Alloy Chain, as defined by the National Association of Chain Manufacturers (NACM) is Grade 80 and/or Grade 100 premium quality, high strength chain that has been heat treated and is used in a variety of sling and tie down applications.

There are four methods for cutting Alloy Chain:

1. Use a Hydraulic Cutter. Hydraulic Cutters are designed to cut smaller diameters of chain up to 5/8” in diameter.  Some Hydraulic Cutters can go even larger.  The benefits of using this method are that it is easy, clean, quick and you don’t have to worry about damaging adjoining links.
2. Use a Plasma Cutter. Using a Plasma Cutter is very precise and quick.  It can cut chain up to 1” in diameter and, if done correctly, will not damage adjoining links.
3. Use an Abrasive Wheel. An Abrasive Wheel can cut chain up to 1” in diameter – and even larger in some cases.  If you are using this method, you must be careful not to cut or nick the adjoining links.  The use of an Abrasive Wheel will shoot out sparks, so you must have a higher degree of safety and awareness of your surroundings.
4. Use a Torch: For this method, you should consult a Trained and Qualified Technician, as in a “Sling Manufacturer” for proper methods and procedures.  The reason for this is because you must be careful to prevent any “high temperature” issues with adjoining links on either side of the link being torched.  The adjoining links could possibly get too hot, thus changing the dynamic of the heat treat, tempering and ductility.

Chain sling users can help avoid damage and possible accident by recognizing these 5 improper practices and preventing their occurrence.

1.  Overloading – can lead to rapid wear, elongation and possible sling failure.
   
2. Improper angle of lift – small angles of lift result in excessive loads being imposed on each leg of the sling.  The results on the sling are the same as for overloading.
   
3. Faulty hook-up
   1. Point loading of hooks.  Wedging or forcing the hook point into the loads results in the hook bending and failure.  Hooks should not face in toward the load.
   2. Slipping of unbalanced loads.
   3. Lifting with twisted or knotted chains can impose loads in excess of rated capacity and spin the load dangerously.
4. Impact loading – jerking or snatching loads (shock loading) when lifting can impose loads on the chain in excess of the actual weight of the object being lifted.  These dynamic forces can break or damage the sling.
   
5. Improper storage of chain slings – chain slings placed in areas where loads may be deposited on the sling, where traffic can run over the sling or in areas where they are exposed to corrosive action can severely damage the slings.
   

For more information about this topic, please see the Peerless Chain Sling User’s Manual (10.20).

Come visit us at booth 605 at the AWRF P.I.E. in Minneapolis!

Check out our new QuikBinder video to learn more about the product!

 

On Saturday, May 20^th Peerless Industrial Group was presented an award recognizing our 100 year anniversary by Robert Martinez, Jr., President of IAMAW.

Pictured, from left to right:  Carlo Lonardi, CEO/President of KITO Americas; Robert Martinez, Jr., President of IAMAW; Tom Wynn, KITO Senior Advisor & Past President of Peerless Industrial Group; Yoshio Kito, KITO President & CEO; George Kosidowski, President of Peerless Industrial Group, Inc.; Phil Gruber, GVP.

 

On Saturday, May 20th, Peerless Industrial Group, Inc. had their 100 Year Celebration.  Employees, retirees and special guests gathered under two large tents for great speeches, food, and conversation.  Tours were offered to attendees and everyone had a great time, in spite of the dreary cold weather.  

Winona Daily News shared a story Sunday regarding the celebration, On the road to success, as well as second article, Peerless’ history is one of growth, tradition.

Be sure to check out the article “A Peerless Century” in the March-April issue of Wire Rope Exchange!  It’s a great read!!

Check out the front page of Sunday, March 5th’s Winona Daily News to read about Peerless Industrial Group:

http://tinyurl.com/zp92czr