Inspecting Suspension Ropes
Suspension ropes are critical components of adjustable suspension scaffolds because they support the platform, workers, and equipment. Damaged, worn, or improperly installed ropes can cause hoist malfunctions, loss of platform stability, or scaffold failure. To prevent serious injuries and fatalities, a competent person must inspect suspension ropes before each work shift and after any event that could affect their integrity. The following inspection requirements help ensure suspension ropes remain safe and reliable during scaffold operations.
- Check suspension ropes supporting adjustable suspension scaffolds to ensure they have a diameter large enough to permit proper functioning of brake and hoist mechanisms.
This wire rope has a thimble secured by an eyesplice, as required on the load end of suspension ropes.
- Make sure the use of repaired wire rope as suspension rope is prohibited.
- Ensure wire suspension ropes are not joined together except through the use of eye splice thimbles connected with shackles or coverplates and bolts.
- Make sure the load end of wire suspension ropes are equipped with proper-size thimbles, and secured by eyesplicing or equivalent means.
- Ensure competent persons are inspecting ropes for defects prior to each work shift, and after every occurrence which could affect a rope's integrity.
Look for wires and strands that are broken.
- Check that ropes are replaced when any of the following conditions exist:
- physical damage which impairs the function and strength of the rope
- kinks that might impair the tracking or wrapping of the rope around the drum or sheave of the hoist
- six randomly distributed wires are broken in one rope lay, or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay
- loss of more than one-third of the original diameter of the outside wires due to abrasion, corrosion, scrubbing, flattening, or peening
- heat damage caused by a torch, or any damage caused by contact with electrical wires
- evidence that the secondary brake has been activated during an overspeed condition and has engaged the suspension rope
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-10. When do scaffold suspension ropes need to be replaced?
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