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Let’s talk about some of the many different types of hooks, shackles, eyebolts and clamps. Hooks and shackles are essential items for rigging almost every load. Eyebolts and clamps are also commonly used components for lifts. For all these rigging hardware types, guidelines must be observed for their safe operation. A rigging hook is typically used to attach a sling to a load. The most common type of rigging hook is the eye hook. Hooks used for rigging must be equipped with safety latches. These latches prevent a connection from slipping off the hook if slack develops in the sling. Rigging hook capacity is determined by: • Construction material • Size • Physical dimensions Some tips about inspecting hooks: • Look for wear in the saddle of the hook. • Wear in the hook should not exceed 10 percent of the original hook dimensions. Hooks are removed from service when there is: • Missing or illegible manufacturer’s identification or rated load information; • Any visually apparent amount of bending or twisting of the hook; • Cracks, nicks, or gouges that could compromise its strength; • Damaged or inoperative latch that does not properly close the throat of the hook; • Any sign of modifications such as grinding, drilling, or machining. Never use a sling on a hook if the sling eye is marginal in size and must be forced over the hook. The body diameter of the hook should fit easily into the sling eye. The proper fit of the sling eye to other lifting hardware varies depending on the type of sling and hitch used. Now let’s look at saddles. The saddle is the portion of the hook that is directly beneath the center of the lifting eye. The rated load of the hook is accurate only when the load is suspended from the saddle of the hook. If the load is applied anywhere between the saddle and the hook tip, the rated load is reduced considerably. Shackles are used to attach items to loads or to attach slings together. A shackle can be used to attach the end of a wire rope to an eye fitting, hook, or other type of connector. Shackles that are used for lifting are made of forged steel. They are sized by the diameter of the steel in the body, or bow section. As a means of safe closure, shackles are made with either screw pins or round pins. Looking closer at shackle structure, the round-pin body is not threaded. The round pin itself is threaded, but it is designed to pass completely through the shackle body. The threaded pin receives a nut and a cotter pin to keep the nut from loosening. Round pins are also called safety shackles because the pin is more secure. The threaded pin of a screw-pin shackle must be fully seated in order for the shackle to function at its full rated capacity. In the field, the threaded pin is often left loose to make it easier to remove later, since lifting the load tends to tighten the pin. When it is tight, a tool is needed to loosen it. However, leaving the pin loose and vibration may cause the pin to back out and fall away. Be sure the pin is fully seated so that it is safe. Shackle safety points include: • Be certain all pins are straight • All screw pins are completely seated • Cotter pins are used with all round-pin shackles • Replace cotters pins after each use to ensure their integrity. Some do’s and don’ts about shackle pins … Do: • Remove shackles from service if they are stretched, or have crowns or pins worn more than 10 percent of their original size. • Look for the required rated load information on the body. Only shackles with suitable load ratings can be used for lifting. • When using shackles on hooks, hang the pin of the shackle on the hook while the load is placed on the bow of the shackle [figure 5]. • Use spacers, such as large washers, on each side of the pin hook to keep the shackle centered. Don’t: • Shackle pins should never be replaced with a common bolt. Common bolts are not hard enough and can’t take the stress applied to a shackle pin. • Use a screw-pin shackle in a situation where the pin can roll as the load sways [figure 6]. Now to eyebolts. Eyebolts are often attached to heavy loads to aid handling and hoisting. Eyebolts can have shoulders, or can be shoulderless. The shoulder provides a broad surface area of contact between the bolt eye and the load. This contact stabilizes the bolt. It’s recommended that shouldered eyebolts be used for hoisting applications because it’s stronger and resists bending when pulled from an angle. Shoulderless eyebolts are designed for vertical load lifting only. Load rating of all eyebolts is reduced during angular loading. Loads should always be applied in the same plane as the eye to reduce the chance of bending. Aligning the eye of the bolt with the shackle or other connector is particularly important when a bridle hitch is used. Shoulderless eye and ring bolts are designed for vertical loads only. Correct: • For shoulder-type eyebolts and ringbolts, providing loads are reduced to account for angular loading. • Load is in the plane of the eye. • When installed, the shoulder surface of the eyebolt must make full contact with the load surface. • Washers or other suitable spacers may be used to ensure that the shoulders are in firm contact with the working surface. • Use a shackle Incorrect: • If shoulderless eyebolts and ringbolts are pulled at an angle as shown, they will either bend or break. • There cannot be space between the eyebolt and the surface. The shoulder must be in full contact with the surface. • When the load is applied to the eye in this direction, it will bend. • Never insert the point of a hook in an eyebolt. Let’s look at the use of eyebolts, shoulder-type eyebolts and ringbolts, and orientation of eyebolts. Use of eyebolts Correct: Shoulderless eye and ring bolts are designed for vertical loads only. Incorrect: If shoulderless eyebolts and ringbolts are pulled at an angle as shown, they will either bend or break. Use of shoulder-type eyebolts and ringbolts Correct: • For shoulder-type eyebolts and ringbolts providing loads are reduced to account for angular loading. • Shoulder must be in full contact with the surface. • Washers or other suitable spacers may be used to ensure that the shoulders are in firm contact with the working surface. Incorrect: • The eyebolt cannot have space between the shoulder and the load surface. Orientation of eyebolts Correct: • Load is in the plane of the eye. • Use a shackle. Incorrect: • When the load is applied to the eye in this direction, it will bend. • Never insert the point of a hook in an eyebolt. Eyebolt installation tips Let’s review some essential information about eyebolts and ringbolts. When installed, the shoulder surface of the eyebolt must make full contact with the load surface. Washers or other suitable spacers may be used to ensure that the shoulders are in firm contact with the working surface. Now, let’s talk about blind holes. A blind hole is a hole that does not penetrate the material completely. • A threaded blind hole used for an eyebolt should have a minimum depth of 11⁄2 times the bolt diameter to ensure sufficient thread engagement. • Still, this does not ensure that the threaded portion of the hole is deep enough to allow the shoulder to make firm contact with the surface. • For shouldered eyebolts, a blind hole should be deep enough so that the threaded portion is deeper than the length of the threaded eyebolt shank. • For shouldered eyebolts, a blind hole should be deep enough so that the threaded portion is deeper than the length of the threaded eyebolt shank. This prevents the eyebolt from bottoming out or reaching the end of the threads before it is properly seated. Swivel hoist rings may be used instead of eyebolts. These devices swivel to the desired lift position and therefore do not require any load-rating reduction due to an angular pull. If using a swivel hoist ring, this will swivel to any angle and does not require load derating.