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CRITICAL INSPECTION POINTS

There are certain points along any given rope which should receive more attention than others, since some areas will usually be subjected to greater internal stresses, or to greater external forces and hazards.

Carefully select the most critical points for close inspection, points where failure would be most likely to occur. The same critical points on each installation should be compared at each succeeding inspection.

Critical points which should be considered for careful inspection on most installations include the following:
Pick-up Points - These are sections of rope which are repeatedly placed under stress when the initial load of each lift is applied, such as those sections in contact with sheaves.
End Attachments - At each end of the rope, two things must be inspected: the fitting that is attached to the rope, or to which the rope is attached and the condition of the rope itself, where it enters the attachment.
Equalizing Sheaves - The section of a rope which is in contact with equalizer or deflector sheaves, as on boom hoist lines, should receive careful inspection.
Drums - The general condition of the drum, and condition of grooves if the drum is grooved, should receive careful inspection as should the manner in which the rope spools onto the drum.
Sheaves - Every sheave in the rope system must be inspected and checked with a groove gauge.
Heat Exposure - Be especially watchful for signs that a rope has been subjected to extreme heat, or to repetitive heat exposure.
Abuse Points - Frequently ropes are subjected to abnormal scuffing and scraping, such as contact with cross members of a boom. Look for bright spots.

It must be kept in mind that minor, and frequently major, differences exist between installations, even on machines of a similar design. Therefore, points on each rope selected for close examination will necessarily require the best judgment of the inspector.