Before a lift, which of the following should be checked on slings and rigging hardware?

• A. WLL labels on all hardware.
• B. Inspect for damage and wear.
• C. Fittings are secure.
• D. All of the above.

Answer: (D)

Before lifting, every part of the rigging must be ready to perform its job safely, so you check that hardware is labeled, in good condition, and properly connected. WLL labels on all hardware tell you the maximum safe load for each piece, and you need to see those labels to confirm you’re not exceeding rated strength. If a piece isn’t labeled or the label is unreadable, you can’t be sure it’s safe to use, which increases the risk of overload during the lift.

Inspecting for damage and wear is about catching issues that could suddenly fail under load. Look for broken or frayed sling fibers, cuts, abrasion, or any signs of heat damage or chemical exposure. For metal components, check for cracks, deformation, corrosion, excessive wear on hooks or eyes, bent or cracked shackles, and any elongation on chain links. For wire rope, be aware of broken wires, bird-caging, crushing, or core damage. The goal is to identify anything that compromises strength or integrity before it’s put under load.

Fittings being secure means all connections stay in place throughout the lift. Pins, bolts, cotter pins, locking devices, and threaded connections must be properly engaged and not loose or cross-threaded. Hooks should have their safeties in place, and no gate closures should be forced open or damaged. If any fitting can work loose or fail to lock, the load path isn’t reliable.

All of these checks together ensure the rigging can carry the intended load and stay intact during the lift. Skipping any element increases the chance of a dangerous failure, which is why each item is routinely reviewed in a pre-lift inspection.