In 1970, the U.S. Congress set the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and mandated it to establish safer environments for employees. In 1971, OSHA published fall protection measures for general industry regulations. Among the sectors that are expected to adhere to OSHA guidelines include the construction, electrical, and transport industries. Its guidance is pertinent in ensuring working environments are safe for all workers. If industries are not OSHA compliant, deaths from falls are likely to occur. This fact was evident from research in the construction industry, which indicated falls as the number one cause of death. Here’s a complete explanation on equipment such as shackles and self-locking slings that can be used in preventing falls.

1. Definition and Types of Shackles

A shackle is an equipment used for joining an anchor to the chain. Companies manufacture shackles in a wide variety of sizes, types, and fabrications. This diversity avails multiple alternatives for use on different occasions. The different shackle types include anchor shackles, chain shackles, and snap shackles. Anchor shackles are usually unique because of their shape and size. They are often huge and O-rounded. The anchor shackles play essential roles in the transport and construction industries. Their O-rounded design gives them numerous advantages including the capability to take loads from different directions.

2. Must-Know Details about Slings

Just like shackles, slings come in different types depending on the fabric. There are primarily six types: chain sling, metal mesh sling, synthetic slings, and rope slings. Additionally, there exists another category of slings comprised of self locking slings and elevated slings. You should consider different factors before determining which type of sling to purchase. The different considerations to look into include analyzing the sizes, shape, weight, temperature, and sensitivity of the sling material to prevailing environmental conditions. For instance, alloy steel chain slings experience shock in certain environments, which damages them resulting in sling failure.

How accessible are the sling parts? For instance, chain sling parts can be difficult to assemble. Under this circumstance, it is vital to reconsider the ease at which you will find the sling parts. The main guidelines that govern the purchase of wire rope slings revolve around their characteristics. They include their strength, their ability to withstand abrasiveness and abuse, and their ease to bend without malfunctioning.

4. Four-Leg and Self Locking Slings

All slings are manufactured and assembled on request. Can four-leg slings be customized into self locking slings? All slings are manufactured to meet the specifications requested. Just like in the production of four-leg slings, self locking slings should meet the requirements of nuclear, offshore, defense, and crane industries.

Additionally, self locking slings can boost the functioning of self-locking hooks. However, this is only possible when self-locking hooks adhere to the regulations of OSHA. These rules include; you should always know your hook load when using self locking slings, and you should never overload your hook.