Level 1, Unit 1, Section 4.8 Storage & Maintenance

4.8.1 Storage Requirements

Each type of rigging equipment has specific storage needs. Failing to meet them accelerates deterioration and can introduce defects that are invisible at first glance but compromise load capacity.

Equipment Type	Required Storage Method	Key Hazard to Avoid
Wire rope slings	Hang on dedicated racks — never pile on floor	Floor piling causes kinking, crushing, and moisture entrapment at contact points
Chain slings	Hang upright on dedicated racks	Piling causes link distortion and makes damage harder to detect during inspection
Synthetic web slings	Indoor, shaded, dry area away from heat sources	UV radiation, elevated heat, and chemical exposure cause fibre degradation and brittleness
Shackles & hardware	Labelled bins sorted by WLL/rated capacity	Mixed-capacity storage leads to accidental selection of an undersized component
Removed-from-service items	Clearly marked quarantine area, physically separated	Accidental re-use of defective equipment during a lift

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Storage Checklist — End of Each Work Day

Hang wire rope slings and chain slings on dedicated racks — do not pile them on the floor.
Store synthetic slings away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and any chemical exposure.
Keep all rigging equipment dry — hang wire rope slings to allow drainage and air circulation.
Store shackles and connecting hardware in labelled bins sorted by rated capacity.
Segregate serviceable equipment from any items removed from service using clearly marked separate storage areas.

4.8.2 Maintenance Practices

Maintenance keeps rigging equipment at its rated capacity and surfaces defects before they can cause a failure under load. Wire rope and chain slings have different maintenance requirements.

Maintenance Task	Wire Rope Slings	Chain Slings
Cleaning	Remove old grease and surface corrosion before re-lubricating	Wire brush and solvent wash after use in dirty environments
Lubrication	Manufacturer-approved wire rope lubricant — apply by brush, drip, or pressure fitting on larger ropes	Chain oil or light machine oil applied to all joints before storage
Inspection trigger	Inspect for broken wires, kinking, corrosion, and fitting integrity	Measure a 10-link sample; compare to original specification to detect elongation

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Wire Rope Lubrication

Wire rope requires periodic lubrication to prevent internal corrosion and reduce wear between individual wires and strands. Internal corrosion is the most dangerous type because it is invisible from outside the rope.

Use only wire rope lubricant approved by the rope manufacturer — do not substitute general-purpose grease.
Apply lubricant by brush, drip, or pressure-lubrication fitting depending on rope size; pressure lubrication penetrates to the core on large-diameter ropes.
Remove old grease and surface corrosion first — applying new lubricant over old contaminated grease traps moisture and accelerates internal corrosion.

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Lubrication Frequency Re-lubricate wire rope whenever the surface appears dry, after use in wet or corrosive environments, and at the formal annual inspection. Heavily used ropes in outdoor environments may require monthly lubrication.

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Chain Sling Maintenance

Chain slings used in dirty or chemically contaminated environments require cleaning after each use. The primary maintenance inspection criterion for chain is elongation — a stretched link has reduced cross-section and reduced capacity.

Clean with a wire brush and solvent after any use in dirty, gritty, or chemically exposed environments.
Measure a 10-link sample and compare the measured length to the original specification — elongation exceeding 3% of original is a removal-from-service criterion.
Re-lubricate chain joints with chain oil or light machine oil at all pivot points before returning to storage.

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Never Heat-Straighten a Chain Link Applying heat to a bent or distorted alloy steel chain link permanently alters the metallurgy and destroys the Grade 80 / Grade 100 rating. Any link that is bent, cracked, or distorted must be removed from service — it cannot be repaired.