Figure 13-49.Load shifting when Lifted.
15. Do not shorten a sling by knotting or using wire
rope clips.
16. Do not inspect wire rope slings by passing bare
hands over the rope. Broken wires, if present, may cause
serious injuries. When practical, leather palm gloves
should be worn when working with wire rope slings.
17. Center of balance. Stability of the load is
important in the rigging process. A stable load is a load
in which the center of balance of the load is directly
below the hook, as shown in figure 13-49. When a load
is suspended, it will always shift to that position below
the hook. To rig a stable load, establish the center of
balance (C/B). Once you have done this, simply swing
the hook over the C/B and select the length of sling
needed from the hook to the lifting point of the load.
Figure 13-50.Multi-legged bridle sling lifting a load.
18. When using a multi-legged bridle sling, do not
forget it is wrong to assume that a three- or four-leg hitch
will safely lift a load equal to the safe load on one leg
multiplied by the number of legs. With a four-legged
bridle sling lifting a rigid load, it is possible for two of
the legs to support practically the full load while the
other two only balance it (fig. 13-50).
NOTE: If all the legs of a multi-legged sling are not
required, secure the remaining legs out of the way, as
shown in figure 13-51.
Figure 13-51.Secure sling legs that are not used.
13-28