Lift-It: Blog Blog https://www.lift-it.com/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:23:28 GMT urn:store:1:blog:post:56 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-manufacturing-co-inc-president-mike-gelskey-jr-featured-in-the-latest-issue-of-rotorhub-international-2 Lift-It Manufacturing Co. Inc., president, Mike Gelskey Jr., featured in the latest issue of Rotorhub International <p><em>“We base everything we are working on on the conversations we have with our customers. If they are looking for a more durable cover, we’ll find a way to make it.”</em></p> <p>Mike Gelskey, President, Lift-It</p> <p>When it comes to long line work, be it construction or firefighting, the temptation is to think about what’s at either end of the line – because a rope is just a rope, right? Wrong, as Gideon Ewers discovers.</p> <p>Historically, revolutionized long aerial line operations work, giving helicopters a much greater versatility in terms of the number and&nbsp;type of payloads they can carry.</p> <p>As with much of the helicopter industry, long line operations can be traced to Igor Sikorsky’s pioneering work back in the late 1930s, but it wasn’t until the advent of the Bell 47 that long line external load operations became commercially practical.</p> <p>Click on the magazine image below to read the full article.</p> <p><a href="/images/uploaded/Lift-It%20Rotorhub%20International%20Article.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/images/uploaded/RotorHub_Oct-Nov-Cover.png" alt="" width="197" height="263" /></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:54 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-number-one-producer-for-slingmax-twin-path-three-years-consecutive Lift-It® number one producer for Slingmax® Twin-Path® three years consecutive <p><img src="/images/uploaded/slingmax rigging solutions best distributor.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="422" /></p> <p>Very proud to announce Lift-It is at the top of the pile yet again!! When you think of the best, Lift-It &amp; Slingmax are always top of mind! With over 40 licensed fabricators around the world this is no small feat. Day, or night we’ll turn on the lights for you!</p> <p>For 37 years Lift-It has been a top producer of Slingmax® Twin-Path® products. From 500 pounds to 1.4 million pounds Lift-It has the knowledge, experience and tenacity day or night to fabricate your <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/twin-path-slings">Slingmax® Twin-Path® products</a>! Let us help you with your next mega lift! &nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Slingmax twin path lifting solutions.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="1000" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:53 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/helicopter-external-cargo-rigging-course Helicopter External Cargo Rigging Course <p>We had the distinct pleasure meeting some of the great people at Luma Aviation while providing external cargo rigging principle course.</p> <p>Coming back for one more day of rigging inspection. Puerto Rico.</p> <p>Day 2 “hands on inspection” was amazing.</p> <p>Take our classroom instruction and improve knlowedge and comprehension in a “hands on” environment.</p> <p>Learn, apply!</p> <p>Highly impressed with the Luma Aviation’s team attitude and attendance from top of the organization all the way down.</p> <p>Engaging conversation between the team, sharing experiences and learning from the curriculum and real world experiences shared!</p> <p>Thank you Luma Aviation for your time, energy!!</p> <p>If you would like to schedule training for your organization, please visit our training page at <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/training-programs">https://www.lift-it.com/training-programs</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:52 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/fall-zone-sphere-of-influence-danger-zone Fall Zone + Sphere of Influence = Danger Zone <p>Fall Zone + Sphere of Influence = Danger Zone</p> <p>By: Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. <br /><br />The U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety &amp; Health Administration in 29CFR 1926.1401&nbsp; defines the fall zone as, “The area, including but not limited to, directly below the load in which it is reasonably foreseeable that partially or completely suspended materials could fall in the event of an accident”.</p> <p>Untrained users may be unaware of the subtlety of “but not limited to, directly below the load”. <br />Erroneously the focus may be placed solely on the “directly below the load” without regard to “but not limited to”.&nbsp; <br />As an example, consider a scenario in which a spreader bar is used to lift a load and it is connected to the crane with a two-leg bridle sling. Imagine the <em>sphere of influence</em> if during use, just one of bridle legs were to break. The load may fall “directly below”, but the spreader bar, while still connected to the crane with the remaining bridle leg may be propelled into the “but not limited to” zone.&nbsp;</p> <p>A Key point to realize is that our awareness of the potentially deadly consequences of the fall zone must involve more than falling loads. The release of tension in any attitude, i.e., vertical (up and down), and/or horizontal <br />(to and from), at any angle can result in severe injury or death.</p> <p>Additional hazard awareness is necessary to fully comply with the OSHA mandate. Compliance not only assists in ensuring one’s safety, but provides countless, additional benefits, i.e., the pursuit of happiness, living long enough to exact revenge on children through grandchildren, &nbsp;lower worker compensation modification rates, improved morale, etc. Fall Zone hazard awareness must always include the <em>sphere of influence</em> from the perspective of an unplanned release of tension.</p> <p>Effective warnings must not only identify the hazard but recommend appropriate measures to mitigate the hazard and/or clearly state the consequence of not addressing the hazard, i.e., SEVERE INJURY or DEATH. An unplanned release of tension can produce devastating whiplash and/or impact force as broken rigging or load securement components are propelled at hundreds of feet per second in unpredictable directions striking personnel.</p> <p>Human factors experts, utilizing focus groups determined the best term to describe an area that would encompass not only the Fall Zone, but the <em>sphere of influence</em> was <strong>Danger Zone</strong>.&nbsp; It was also determined that symbols be used to transcend language and literacy barriers, while enhancing comprehension of the hazard. Brevity is not only the soul of wit, but the efficacy of an effective warning. <br />NEVER UNDER – NEVER ON – NEVER IN-LINE combined with graphics designed for load handling (lifting) and load securement (tie down) were evaluated, reviewed, and developed.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/dropzone1.jpg" alt="" width="521" height="241" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="/Images/uploaded/drop zone2.jpg" alt="" width="557" height="248" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />A 9mm socket dropped from a wind turbine nacelle can be just as deadly as a 500-ton dropped load. Gravity always works, what goes up, will certainly come down when unplanned tension is released. While the direction and/or thrust of broken rigging is unpredictable, the consequences of deadly tension can be devasting.</p> <p><br />Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. is the CEO and founder of Lift-It® Manufacturing Co., Inc. – Pomona, CA.<br />He has been involved in the design and manufacture of slings and tie downs for 47 years.</p> <p>He currently serves as a committee member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers <br />B30.9 Sling Committee, the Associated Wire Rope Technical Committee, the Web Sling and Tie Down Association Web Sling and Roundsling Committees and chairs the WSTDA Legal Resource Committee.&nbsp; He has presented training sessions for forty years to sling users, sling and rigging gear inspectors, trade, industry, association, and regulatory groups and provides safety and professional development courses for training and safety personnel.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:51 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/load-handling-and-load-securement-best-practices Load Handling and Load Securement Best Practices <p>Significant improvements have been made to the equipment used in load handling and load securement activities. In 1973 it would have seemed unimaginable that years later, synthetic slings with an ultimate break strength of 1,360,777 kgs weighing only 15.62 kgs per meter would be readily available.</p> <p>High performance fibers Kevlar®, Spectra® and Dyneema® are used as strength members for high performance synthetic ropes and roundslings, and crane boom hoist and pendant lines. The use of high-performance fibers has not only improved efficiency but enhanced user safety.</p> <p>When textile chain made from DSM Dyneema® - DM20 fiber became available, early adopters recognized the inherent value and benefits. The combination of strength-to-weight ratio advantage while impressive was not new. Thirty years ago, high performance fiber Twin-Path® Extra slings replaced heavy, cumbersome, injurious wire rope slings. <br /><br />Textile Chain combines ultra-light strength with adjustability taking the “Chain of Evolution” up several notches. Quick and easy leg length adjustment for Tycan® Chain Assemblies is done via Shortening Hooks with multiple advantages.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>One adjustable Tycan® synthetic sling assembly easily replaces multiple fixed length slings reducing inventory. “Synthetic” adjustability makes turnbuckles a less attractive option and riggers no longer have to add or take away shackles to adjust leg lengths. The need to inventory and carry extra equipment, coupled with incredible time savings makes the value proposition for Tycan® synthetic chain slings an undisputable one.</p> <p>®Tycan® textile chain slings are available in single, double, triple, and quad leg assemblies. A quad-leg bridle assembly fabricated from 13x30 Chain has an assembly capacity of 23,366 Lbs. at a 60-degree angle of loading.</p> <p>Substantial time and money are saved when textile adjustable chain slings are used to rig asymmetrical loads or when cranes are not an option and bull rigging is used. Jobs that normally took two people several hours are now accomplished by a single person in a matter of minutes.</p> <p>Load securement users can easily carry a 60-foot length of Tycan® synthetic lashing chain; try doing that with “heavy metal” chain.</p> <p>Tycan® Textile Lashing Chain is an efficient and cost-effective alternative for multiple reasons:<br /><em>* Faster Lashing &amp; Release: Tycan® Chain is easily handled by personnel without cranes or ladders.<br />* Increased Safety: Workers do not need to climb ladders and walk over cargo.<br />* One person can handle Tycan® Lashing Chain with much less fatigue when compared to steel chains.<br />* Strength &amp; Elongation: Identical to steel chain. 16m long Tycan® Chain (20 tonnes MBL) weighs only 10.2kg.<br />* Steel lashing tends to slide off cargo falling onto cargo decks. Time and money are wasted recovering.<br />* Synthetic Tycan® Lashing Chain reduces damage to cargo.</em><br /><br />Tremendous savings from decreased port time is facilitated by improved efficiencies (less time for lashing and releasing cargo and more done in less time with less personnel). These savings are also boosted by other factors that may not be so readily apparent. Considerable funds are saved when damage claims, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and skyrocketing insurance claims do not occur. <br />One cannot refute the inherent value proposition of Tycan® Synthetic Lashing Chain.</p> <p>Not only have remarkable advances been made in devices used for load handling and securement, but significant improvements in safety have occurred as users are trained in the proper use of slings and tie downs. To appreciate the progress, one must first consider the term “product failure”. &nbsp;Many rigging manufacturers have been contacted by a customer claiming that a sling or tie down “failed”.</p> <p>Slings and tie downs may be damaged when contact occurs with potentially damaging corners (that need not be “razor” sharp) or with surfaces that are not excessively abrasive. Tension and compression “join forces” making a seemingly innocuous surface or edge one that may damage and sever sling or tie down strength components, i.e., chain, wire rope, synthetic rope, webbing or roundsling core yarns.</p> <p>Add “movement” to tension and compression, and SERIOUS INJURY and/or DEATH may occur.<br />Movement = non-positive engagement whereby slings or tie downs slide across load edges/surfaces and/or the load slips and slides across slings or tie downs.</p> <p>Abrasion damage (the mechanical wearing or scuffing of surfaces from frictional movement between two objects) can occur as slings or tie downs are subjected to tension, movement and/or vibration. The cause and appearance of abrasion damage vastly differs from cutting damage. <br /><strong><br />Cutting and abrasion damage from misuse are often incorrectly referred to as “product failures”.</strong></p> <p>When slings or tie downs are destruction tested, the tensile break of synthetic strength components does not manifest itself in the square end (linear) fiber separation of thousands of many small, independent fibers that are less than the diameter of a human hair.</p> <p>When synthetic slings and tie downs are pulled to destruction the tensile break resembles an explosion of yarn fibers and NEVER resembles a linear “cut” of countless yarn fibers with square end (linear) fiber separation, occurring simultaneously!</p> <p>Square end (linear) fiber separation and/or abrasion degradation is a direct result of contact with damaging edges, corners, or surfaces. <strong>Protecting slings and tie downs with materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction from cutting and abrasion damage is a very vital part of proper usage and is mandated by various regulations and guidelines.</strong></p> <p>Rags, gloves, cardboard, carpet, and fire hose are not sling protection options for properly trained users and/or qualified persons. These items were not made with the intent for use as protection devices and&nbsp; were not tested or evaluated for adequacy for sling protection regulatory adequacy or compliance.</p> <p><a name="_Hlk32386363"></a>Slings and/or protection that is “cut proof” do not exist. Cut resistant sling protection does, but it must be properly used to prevent damage. Manufacturers must provide ratings, information on the proper use, inspection, and removal from service criteria for slings and tie downs. Doesn’t it seem logical that sling protection manufactures provide the same information for sling protection devices? Otherwise sling users are forced to determine sling protection adequacy through a trial and error process with no guarantee of repeatability.</p> <p>The safety and training professionals at Lift-It Manufacturing constantly evaluate event incidents and litigation to adjust their training program to address performance gaps and has completed a 3-year sling protection project. Five different types of sling protection were tested and labelling, inspection, removal criteria and training were developed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sling users, industry experts, safety and training professionals provided input which was used by a Human Factors Expert to develop five separate&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />sling protection user manuals. The user manuals contain warnings and guidance for proper use and inspection of sling protection and are <br />available in English and Spanish versions.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lift-It safety and training professionals have promoted sling protection for 41 years. The copyrighted Lift-It sling protection user manuals&nbsp;have been donated to the Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) and hopefully will serve as the genesis for a WSTDA Sling Protection Safety Standard.</p> <p>Based upon recent events it appears that sling protection training efforts have produced positive results. Incidents of injury and/or death from the absence and/or inadequacy of sling protection are decreasing. Unfortunately, reports of injury and death from working in the fall zone are increasing.</p> <p>The U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety &amp; Health Administration in 29CFR 1926.1401&nbsp; defines the fall zone as, “The area, including but not limited to, directly below the load in which it is reasonably foreseeable that partially or completely suspended materials could fall in the event of an accident”. &nbsp;While the fall zone definition addresses the consequences falling loads it does address the dangers of an unplanned release of tension of rigging or securement devices used in non-vertical, i.e., horizontal attitudes.</p> <p>An unplanned release of tension can produce devastating whiplash and/or impact force as broken rigging or lashing components are propelled at hundreds of feet per second in unpredictable directions striking personnel.</p> <p>An effective warning must not only identify the hazard but recommend appropriate measures to mitigate the hazard and/or clearly state the consequence of not addressing the hazard, i.e., SEVERE INJURY or DEATH. <br /><br />A human factors expert, utilizing focus groups determined the best term to use was “Danger Zone”. &nbsp;<br />It was also determined that symbols be used to not only transcend language and literacy barriers but enhance comprehension of the hazard. Brevity is not only the soul of wit, but the efficacy of an effective warning. NEVER UNDER – NEVER ON – NEVER IN-LINE combined with graphics designed for load handling (lifting) and load securement (lashing) were evaluated, reviewed, and developed. &nbsp;</p> <p>A 9mm socket dropped from a wind turbine nacelle can be just as deadly as a 500-ton dropped load. Gravity always works, certainly what goes up, must come down. While the direction of broken rigging is unpredictable, the consequences of any unplanned release of built up tension can be devasting.</p> <p><br />Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. is the CEO and founder of Lift-It® Manufacturing Co., Inc. – Pomona, CA.<br />He has been involved in the design and manufacture of slings and tie downs for 47 years.<br />He currently serves as a committee member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers <br />B30.9 Sling Committee, the Associated Wire Rope Technical Committee, the Web Sling and Tie Down Association Web Sling and Roundsling Committees and chairs the WSTDA Legal Resource Committee.&nbsp; He has presented hundreds of training sessions for sling users, sling and rigging gear inspectors, trade, industry, association, and regulatory groups and provides safety and professional development courses for training and safety personnel.</p> <p>Lift-It®&nbsp; is a recognized leader in the sling and rigging industry and for 41 years has provided the finest rigging products available. Lift-It safety professionals provide LEEA accredited training programs.</p> <p>Additional information for Tycan® synthetic chain, sling protection user manuals and/or training is available by emailing <a href="mailto:info@lift-it.com">info@lift-it.com</a>.</p> <p>You can also read the article in its entirety at <a href="https://www.liftandhoist.com/issues/lhi-june-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lift and Hoist International</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:50 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/best-practices-in-sling-protection Best Practices in Sling Protection <p>Come see us in Phoenix for our “Best Practices in Sling Protection” workshop presentation.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>On September 20th, Mike Gelskey, Jr., Vice President and General Manager, Lift-It Manufacturing is a featured speaker at the Specialized Carrier and Rigging Association event in Phoenix, Arizona.</p> <p>Sling protection is a critical consideration in all load handling activities. Join Workshop speaker, Mike Gelskey, Jr., as he shares best practices to avoid damages.</p> <p>Register now and learn how to utilize best practices in sling protection.</p> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/2lzadYH">https://bit.ly/2lzadYH</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:49 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wear-pads-for-slings Wear Pads for Slings <p>Wear Pads for slings is terminology from the past, although many still refer to sling wear pads as such.</p> <p>Engineered sling protection has come of age and needs to be used correctly during load handling activities to prevent death, serious injury and/or property damage. There are two basic forms of sling damage that responsible riggers need to address, damage from cutting and damage from abrasion. While both cutting and abrasion can both cause sling damage, the steps taken to mitigate damage from cutting and/or abrasion are generally totally different.</p> <p>The Web Sling and Tie Down association defines abrasion as “The mechanical wearing or scuffing of a surface, resulting from frictional movement between two materials or surfaces. When sling tension and compressive force against a damaging edge join together a cutting force is created.</p> <p>While certain materials can be used to prevent abrasion damage, these same materials will not prevent damage from cutting.&nbsp; Generally, bulked nylon buffer material, also known by the Dupont trade name, Cordura® is four times more abrasion resistant than regular nylon or polyester webbing.&nbsp; This 1/8 inch thick abrasion resistant material will not prevent cutting.</p> <p>Generally, bulked nylon materials are sewn directly to web slings in specific locations to prevent the effects of abrasion.&nbsp; Depending upon the sling configuration, sewn-on pads can be attached in single or multiple layers and can vary in length.&nbsp; The same abrasion resistant material (bulked nylon fibers) has also been woven into tubular sleeves for roundslings, resulting in more durable sling covers when compared to polyester tubular sleeves.</p> <p>It is interesting to note that leather for many years has been used as a sling protection material.&nbsp; Images of the “old west” and “rawhide” seemed to make good sense, but in reality, leather has many serious shortcomings. When leather wear pads are sewn on to a synthetic sling, the rate of elongation for the leather is different than the nylon and/or polyester webbing.&nbsp; When sling wear pads are sewn to synthetic web slings, the leather does not elongate at the same rate as the webbing, resulting in thread breaking as the leather wear pad can become separated from the nylon lifting or polyester web sling.</p> <p>When our customers absolutely insist on leather wear pad, we try to convince them to consider alternates, which are far superior. Since the customer is ALWAYS right, we will not recommend sewn on leather wear pads more than 60 inches in length to prevent the previously mentioned thread breakage due to differential elongation rates. In 1981 Lift-It manufactured 24-inch x 50 ft. Wide body cargo slings for use in rail car handling resulting from derailments.&nbsp; The purchaser was insistent upon FULL LENGTH leather wear pads for slings despite our pleas. During the first use the leather wear pads sheared away from the nylon cargo slings and thankfully the slings were not damaged.&nbsp; The leather pads were replaced with synthetic nylon wear pads which performed properly.</p> <p>Some still refer to sling protection as “softeners” or wear pads for slings.&nbsp; There is a tremendous difference between engineered sling protection which has been designed, tested and labelled by the sling protection manufacturer and the many make shift devices such as: conveyer belting, fire house, cardboard, shop rags and/or leather gloves which were never intended for use as sling protection devices.</p> <p>Sling users are far more astute at recognizing the need for not only selecting the correct type of protection, but that the protection is used properly.&nbsp; This need can best be assessed by a qualified person who knows proper protection selection and usage. We encourage responsible riggers to always take the time to do the job correctly, the first time.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:48 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/sling-safety-consensus-standard-asme-b30-9-2018-released Sling Safety Consensus Standard ASME B30.9-2018 Released <p>The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has now issued the 2018 version of the B30.9 Sling Safety Consensus Standard. The 2018 revision of the previous 2014 version has some very notable additions and changes.</p> <p>In Chapter 9-0 which contains scope, definitions and personnel competence, new language regarding minimum requirements for riggers assigned to load handling activities have now been added in Section 9-0.4. Riggers involved in load handling activities must ensure the weight of the load and determine the center of gravity are cited in the newly added, Rigger Responsibility Section. Sling selection and inspection are also cited in the new section, and also lists several other ASME standards for compliance and proper usage, i.e., ASME B30.10, B30.2, B30.23 and B30.26. Section 9-0.4 also mentions that the effects of angles (sling tension) must also be taken into consideration to avoid overloading. Properly attaching and ensuring load control (balance) as well as, the need to protect slings from abrasion, cutting and other forms of damage have been included in the new section. Lastly, Section 9-0.4 also addresses the need for responsible riggers to understand applicable signals for the equipment used and that tagline use may be necessary when additional control is required.</p> <p>The 2018 Volume includes a new, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">seventh chapter</span> (9-7) for High Performance (HP) Roundslings.&nbsp; The B30.9 sling subcommittee decided after much discussion that HP roundslings should have a separate chapter and not be included into the existing Chapter 9-6 for polyester roundslings. Much like the other six chapters, the HP Roundsling chapter contains sections for training, components, fabrication, design factor, rated load, proof test requirements, sling identification, effects of the environment, inspection, removal, repair as well as operating and rigging practices. Since many different fibers and/or combinations of fibers are used High Performance Roundslings, much of the emphasis for proper use is placed onto the qualified person and/or the manufacturer.</p> <p>Along with these abovementioned additions, many significant changes to existing language are now a part of the B30.9-2018 Sling Safety Standard.</p> <p>Language for slings that have been in storage or idle for more than a year is now included.<br />Section 9-X-9.4(d) specifically states that periodic inspection for slings in storage or idle slings (slings not used) for more than a year, IS NOT required. What is required is that before&nbsp; “idle” or “stored” slings are used that they be inspected before being put into use per the provisions of periodic inspections for slings.</p> <p>Removal from service criteria for polyester roundslings has finally been corrected to reflect language that leaves nothing to the imagination.&nbsp; Prior to the 2018 Revision, Section 9-6.9.5(g) stated, “knots in the roundsling, except for core yarns inside the cover”. The 2018 Revision, now states, “knots in the roundsling, except for core yarn knots inside the cover installed by the manufacturer during the fabrication process”.</p> <p>It took me several attempts over many years to provide rationale to the subcommittee and I was finally successful in my efforts.&nbsp; All I ever wanted was for the 2014 language to be changed from “Core yarns inside the cover” to “core knots inside the cover”. Most roundslings have core yarns, while not all roundslings have core knots installed by the manufacturer.</p> <p>We would recommend that qualified persons obtain a copy of the newly released ASME B30.9-2018 and become acquainted with these and other important modifications.</p> <p>You can visit the ASME website and download your copy by clicking the link below:</p> <p><a href="https://www.asme.org/products/codes-standards/b309-2018-slings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.asme.org/products/codes-standards/b309-2018-slings</a></p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, SR.</p> <p>CEO-Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:47 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/engineered-sling-protection Engineered Sling Protection <p>We have worked with many of you over the years to make a difference in the lives of those you are tasked with protecting. Most recently we worked with US DOE representatives to assist in developing some of the information contained in the recently released, “Engineered Sling Protection”, OE-3: 2018-03. The Operating Experience Level 3 issued by Mr. Josh Silverman, Director – Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security addresses many important considerations and certainly highlights the significance for raising the awareness of damage that may occur to slings during rigging operations.</p> <p>Much of the specific sling protection language contained in the aforementioned OE is verbatim from the information I have presented over the past thirty-seven years in our training programs. We are honored in our association with the US DOE, a community of professionals who embody a quest for excellence that is difficult to attain and more trying to sustain.</p> <p>Sling protection like many other devices, if improperly used may injure, kill and/or destroy property. We shipped a very large sling protection order to one of the incident locations mentioned in the OE. We called to thank the purchaser and when we inquired about training for the protection devices were told that the trainer used at their facility would cover training for the sling protection devices received. We sincerely hope that did in deed occur.</p> <p>In my review of another DOE incident, I had to question the use of the term, “insufficient” used in describing an<br />internal post incident review of the “sling protection” used at the time. Apparently, it was recognized before the incident that the protection may not be robust enough, but that it had worked many times previously and that despite some doubt, it would work again.</p> <p>The 2009 Mackey, Henderson report took the blinders off for many as it connected common root cause factors in thirteen separate incidents involving sling damage from cutting. The conclusion reached by Mr. Mackey is a sound one; inadequate and/or non-existent sling protection resulted in sling damage and loss of load control with death, injury and/or property damage as outcomes. Since the release of the report, I have reviewed additional incidents in recent months with identical contributing factors and outcomes.</p> <p>Lift-It sling protection bulletins will be previewed and discussed in our presentation for the 2018 EPRI-User Group-Hoisting, Rigging and Crane Workshop.&nbsp; The protection bulletins (user manuals) contain valuable information relative to the selection, use and inspection criteria for Lift-It protection devices. They were developed using feedback from sling users representing many diverse industries, as well a development and review process done by industry experts and safety professionals under the guidance of a human factors expert.</p> <p>On April 24, 2018 at presentation for the Spring 2018 Associated Wire Rope Fabricators I made the point that several manufacturers in attendance promote and sell 1/8” thick bulked nylon products (Cordura®) as “softeners” used for “cut protection”.&nbsp; It is also interesting to note that others who provide training disseminate sling protection information that is not only incorrect, but inherently dangerous.</p> <p>OE-3 :2018-03 specifically addresses some of the most recent occurrences where rigging professionals, employing “sufficient” sling protection did not complete the load handling activity successfully.</p> <p>In the April 2018 OE-3, a very compelling point is presented relative to load control as it pertains to the angle of loading and the sling and/or protection device sliding across loads. Charles Lucas, who made significant contributions to the rigging community over a long and distinguished career and I have had many discussions of various load control factors, i.e., coefficients of friction, sling to load angles, sling protection adequacy, etc.<br />It occurred to me when reading the OE and the prior conversations with Mr. Lucas that the same conclusion (60-degree angle of loading “awareness”) was reached from two, totally independent perspectives. The effects of “low” angles, coefficients of friction, etc. have on successful load handling activities are some of the very important and requisite steps in the proper use of slings and sling protection.</p> <p>In discussions with US-DOE representatives, methods to effectively disseminate and integrate the vital message(s) of this or any OE into the Department of Energy safety culture were discussed. To be effective, the process needs to permeate all organizational levels and certainly include subcontractor and ancillary personnel.</p> <p>Training must facilitate and enable modified behavior or reoccurring incidents are certain. It’s not just the message (training program), but the methodology (training techniques) used to transfer the message, which when effectively employed will result in changed behavior. A Train-the-Trainer program may be a key component in improving the effective communication of any message, including that for engineered sling protection.</p> <p>If you are interested in receiving copies of the Lift-It Sling Protection Bulletins and/or information on our line of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lift-it.com/sling-protection">Engineered Sling Protection</a>&nbsp;and/or the new and diverse&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lift-it.com/training-programs">training programs</a>&nbsp;we provide, please contact us.</p> <p>If there is anything we can do to assist you in gaining traction for action on a site, regional, business sector, etc. level, contact us. Have slings and do travel.</p> <p>We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing some of you soon at upcoming events.</p> <p>All the best,</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, Sr.<br />CEO &amp; Founder</p> <p>Lift-It Mfg. Company, Inc.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:46 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/2018-sling-rigging-training-schedule-is-online 2018 Sling and Rigging Training Schedule is Online <p>Accident Prevention Through Education</p> <p>Thirty-seven years ago, long before training was fashionable I began training sling users and inspectors. I would travel anywhere at my own expense and on occasion, work around the clock with the goal of enabling men and women to perform their job tasks more safely. Our motto and mission has always been, “Accident Prevention Through Education”.</p> <p>We are passionate about training and we know we have a sacred duty to instill a quest for excellence in our students that goes far beyond traditional sling and rigging topics. Our passion is contagious and on several occasions our students applaud and thank us for our message, which is God, country, family, life’s blessings and a quest for excellence that does not allow compromise.</p> <p>If you rig loads, supervise, perform inspections, serve as a safety professional or tool room attendant, provide training, loss control, quality assurance services or purchase rigging, you will benefit greatly from our training. You will leave educated, enthused and exhausted.</p> <p>Our world class, state of the art training facility enables us to provide specialized training sessions. Consider hosting a private, corporate event at our facility.</p> <p>One of our clients remarked, “What I really like about your training, is that you don’t just teach about slings and rigging, you provide my people with a safety mentality for life”.</p> <p>You have my personal guarantee that our training will be the best you have ever experienced. If together, we prevent just one accident, then we have accomplished our objective.<br />Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. CEO and Founder</p> <p>Please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lift-it.com/training-programs">https://www.lift-it.com/training-programs</a>&nbsp;for a list of all of our training events.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:45 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/the-lift-it-family-mourns-the-loss-of-edna-may-quintero The Lift-it family mourns the loss of Edna May Quintero <p>The Lift-it family mourns the loss of Edna May Quintero.</p> <p>Edna was born July 5, 1927 in East Los Angeles, CA and married the love of her life, Peter Quintero during the tumultuous years of WWII. During the following years they were blest with three children: Robert, Michael and Yolanda.</p> <p>Edna was one of the four original, Lift-It employees with a 39 year career in the synthetic sling fabrication.&nbsp; Michael J. Gelskey, Sr., CEO and Founder remarked, “Edna was an invaluable part of our company for her entire career and was our first retiree.</p> <p>She led by example and always challenged us to be the best version of who we could be. We were blest by her years of mentoring and by her kind and loving ways, which truly were the heart and soul of our organization.”</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, Jr., Vice-president and General Manager, Lift-it Mfg. Company, Inc., stated, ”Edna was truly inspirational to the many adopted “sons” and “daughters” she took under her wings. Her conscientiousness and zest for life were incredible and heaven will never be the same!”</p> <p>Edna was predeceased by her husband, Peter and by her co-workers: David Barthule and Wolfgang Keil. She is survived by her three children, who lost a mother and their best friend.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:41 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/4-benefits-of-drum-handling-slings-risks-when-handling-drums 4 Benefits of Drum Handling Slings & Risks when handling drums <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501589695830_22286"></div> <div> <div> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Four Benefits of drum handling slings:</span></strong></p> <p>1) Better load control via positive drum engagement</p> <p>2) Less damage to drums and/or contents</p> <p>3) Ability to keep drums to a minimum height during&nbsp;transport</p> <p>4)&nbsp;The ease of efficient drum handling.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Four Risks when handling drums:</span></strong></p> <p>1) Non-positive drum engagement:</p> <p>Placing drums on top of forklift tongs or “grappling”&nbsp; drums under the rim&nbsp;does</p> <p>not provide&nbsp;for positive engagement and/or control of the drum.</p> <p>2) Handling partially filled drums:</p> <p>Fluid can “slosh” back and forth resulting in dynamic loading and loss of load</p> <p>control.</p> <p>3) &nbsp;Handling damaged drums:</p> <p>Damaged drums do not allow a firm grip between the drum sling tightening band</p> <p>and the drum surface.</p> <p>4) Transportation of drums:</p> <p>Uneven surfaces may cause drums&nbsp;transported&nbsp;by equipment to&nbsp;become unstable</p> <p>during transport.</p> <p>For more educational video content on drum handling slings please watch our video at</p> </div> <div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb1uUcOnM8o">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb1uUcOnM8o</a></div> </div> urn:store:1:blog:post:44 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-manufacturing-company-inc-is-the-west-coast-warehouse-for-miller-lifting-products Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the West Coast Warehouse for Miller Lifting Products <p><strong>Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the West Coast Warehouse for Miller Lifting Products.</strong></p> <p>The same service that you have come to&nbsp;expect from Lift-It is now available for Miller Lifting Products, the most respected swivel, block and overhaul ball manufacturer in our industry.</p> <p>Call today and your swivels are on the way.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:43 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/awea-om-and-safety-conference AWEA O&M and Safety Conference <p>Why shovel snow when you could attend&nbsp;not just&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIhgjPWWpD6zQufB57J3TB9uS76myE2Mkj1shbUurw6ycnAvYWTBoQBZNTsOu4i2ep-AXWDfwLz7-KBToQVl7ayz498KcVze-sj1bJSgT92MWn5JK2lPn38l-H_9OGW0QvqF5L9bo0ENqB-6Bj8Y4DmA==&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">AWEA O&amp;M and Safety Conference</a>, BUT&nbsp;the pre-conference activities&nbsp;in San Diego, California?</p> <p>The AWEA Operations &amp; Maintenance and Safety Conference is&nbsp;scheduled for</p> <p>Feb. 27- March 1 , 2017. The wind industry will&nbsp;come together to recognize unique challenges and identify solutions in improving operations, maintenance and&nbsp;safety.</p> <p>Consider extending your tour of duty by&nbsp;enrolling in the AWEA O&amp;M and Safety</p> <p>Pre-Conference&nbsp;which features<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIGUjyuC9FH9fGlImW3yOYoSbJMw8dOn4Hbk3atvdIAojfO4TNfYKybRXHWmjE0Wxxb7f0CpJQ5BromC7QPHMFveEeq395wbDujOpeJkcTyYkTa3GwloVpNKCpERdQOW0b_bFnl-ClxZmh3omn3_LlJabDbbUHhTT4iqIJ5Ircuer66vnDtJDBSQ==&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">&nbsp;Sling and Rigging Training&nbsp; presented by Lift-It Manufacturing on Feb. 27th, 2017.&nbsp;</a></p> <p>Two important reasons why you should enroll&nbsp;and attend:<br />1) Gravity ALWAYS works.<br />2) Dropped loads KILL,&nbsp;INJURE and/or&nbsp;DESTROY property.</p> <p>Generally a chain of&nbsp;mistakes&nbsp;combine to form&nbsp;a cumulative outcome known as an accident.&nbsp;The interactive training presented on&nbsp;Feb. 27, 2017&nbsp;will explore many of the ingredients necessary for successful load handling activities and will also offer&nbsp;various alternatives to mitigate detrimental contributory factors.</p> <p>Participants are tested and receive a certificate issued by Lifting Equipment and Engineers Association (LEEA) a prestigious international organization that provides training and&nbsp;also accredited the Sling &amp; Rigging training you will attend.</p> <p>In addition, participants will receive many valuable deliverables including: 500 Page&nbsp;Rigging Resource Guide, Rigger’s Handbook, Rigger Reference Card and a Sling Angle Protractor.</p> <p>The program will be presented by&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIkEXDbLfuOKqCCgt7DXEDsxhPQAUXAJUROl50CE9us1Nn8rbhAGL1WqHzwGcyhlnexgFA9zDrDXAgm4umZ3VW6J3iJXIKBQhoWICax6ba4UYcuVVUeiCwi_5XbYXTHupPTe6e8_TAWqs-M-XUtjxhvS-OsNja0uP9L9s9RaZ3eIzj8h_UFaoQzfOVQn1S0W2L&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">Michael Gelskey, Sr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIKRzFLX17Khjzu9LW8C2io45mjfTCNATiXm-qCVOiv5CC5hTvkYFqv_Rrzrot3P1NzT4y2xmsGIPsdvdt2HVUNVdRUQjCf_r8npiAwQZGnziJdv9ZhrR5EeNiwWjZry2RkE8gcOAOXK6xG_uCLqMGffU7rp_OTzBmgH2Q0HWW1CqHCWs_-NFIX5cMaVDOU5Id&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">Mike Gelskey, Jr.,</a>who guarantee this will be one of, if not the best sling and rigging training you have experienced.</p> <p>Don’t think this training is right for you? Click&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIPA-4VgG1MlkYLfgQR_W0kXmWKg2Re5F8mKZ8Qn-z1Gs2pA1g_cqNQh-mTgwiW-t0_L8AbohMKxv4eLBCh6LC013iPEwZTlYzoAEGMwL5xwziP2nC2uZuhSm2zhQQfBfQkssnumzDa0GBQ2t6wC2-NX18uGOXs_H6Bi_-AhmHXD7lfhOGqxu5feGJt16j01RZ&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">here</a>&nbsp;to test your skills.</p> <p>Please visit the AWEA website or&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018-QYF94mG0MD3Esr6TTmzfI59TQFViC1RJyqGnQ86-CxOpb7G45fJUbK0koGzCEIGUjyuC9FH9fGlImW3yOYoSbJMw8dOn4Hbk3atvdIAojfO4TNfYKybRXHWmjE0Wxxb7f0CpJQ5BromC7QPHMFveEeq395wbDujOpeJkcTyYkTa3GwloVpNKCpERdQOW0b_bFnl-ClxZmh3omn3_LlJabDbbUHhTT4iqIJ5Ircuer66vnDtJDBSQ==&amp;c=FXGXhB89Jg-nwY10_SgPADTfhAP99xksy5MRO2_qRXAyIg_r7FOZzA==&amp;ch=pVc5eka2JUBemfbLupItnr7yef7IniMP3KOZgmag70v8KzbJITKfmQ==">click here</a>&nbsp;to register for the Lift-It Pre-Conference activity!</p> <p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-361" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/awea-300x101.jpg" alt="awea" width="300" height="101" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:42 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/the-lift-it-family-mourns-the-loss-of-our-brother-wolfgang-w-kiel The Lift-it family mourns the loss of our brother, Wolfgang W. Kiel. <p>The Lift-it family mourns the loss of our brother, Wolfgang W. Kiel.</p> <p>Wolfgang was born May 5, 1949 in Samoa and married the love of his life, Sao Keil on 10-26-1973. Their love produced three sons, Albert, Wolfgang and Shane.</p> <p>Mr. Keil was one of the four original employees of Lift-It Manufacturing, with a 42 year career in the rigging industry. Michael J. Gelskey, Sr, CEO and Founder, Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc., remarked, “Wolfgang sewed hundreds of millions of stiches, each with diligence and dedication. Every sling he made was a work of art and he was an integral part in establishing the quality, service and ultimately the success of not only Lift-it, but successful load handling activities throughout the world. Wolfgang never worked for me, I was honored to have worked with him for over forty-two years.”</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, Jr., Vice-president and General Manager, Lift-it Mfg. Company, Inc., stated” Wolfgang was without a doubt the world’s premier fabricator of synthetic slings. The slings he fabricated were be responsible for the handling of several billions of tons of materials, without incidence”.</p> <p>The Lift-it Learning Center is undergoing modernization to include two load simulators and will be dedicated on October 2, 2017 as the Wolfgang W. Kiel Learning Center. Students from around the world will learn and benefit from Mr. Kiel’s legacy and his dedication to excellence that did not allow compromise.</p> <p>Wolfgang was predeceased by his youngest son, Shane and is survived by Sao, his wife of 44 years and sons, Wolfgang, Albert and Steven.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Wolfie.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="246" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:40 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/got-sling-protection Got Sling Protection? <p>What type of idiots would spend thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars JUST to develop Guides for the proper use of Sling Protection? We, the Lift-It Lunatics would be those idiots.</p> <p>Some sophisticated organizations and supposedly knowledgeable and reputable sling fabricators just don’t get it! Paper thin, “sling protection” is sold with no warnings. If used properly those specific devices will provide protection from abrasion but WILL NOT prevent damage to slings from cutting.</p> <p>Sling users in highly critical and scrutinized material handling operations continue to use what is described in “incident” reports as inadequate “softeners”.</p> <p>If you are interested in receiving the soon to be published Guides for Sling Protection, contact us at info@lift-it.com to receive the information as soon as the ink dries.</p> <p>If you are interested in training your personnel to properly use protection, enroll in the upcoming training offered at the Lift-It Learning Center or bring the training to your location.</p> <p>Sling protection has been a passion of ours for thirty-seven years. We have NEVER done a presentation without addressing sling protection.</p> <p>The correct perspective on sling protection combined with keeping your people out of not only the “fall” zone, but the “strike” zone will save lives. Gravity always works and the unplanned release of tension resulting in deadly recoil and/or impact force will INJURE or KILL.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View Michael Gelskey, SR’s. Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:39 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/leea-approved-training-provider LEEA Approved Training Provider <p>LIFT-IT MANUFACTURING Co., Inc. GAINS LEEA APPROVED TRAINING PROVIDER STATUS Following a rigorous audit of their training facility and Synthetic Sling Rigging and Train the Trainer courses, <a href="http://leeaint.com">Lifting Equipment Engineers Association</a> (LEEA) is pleased to announce that Accredited Training Provider status has been awarded to Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc. The audit was conducted by LEEA’s Learning and Development staff, Andrew Wright and Scott Barnes, his colleague during a 5-day visit to the Lift-It Learning Center in Pomona, California. Andrew Wright (LEEA Learning and Development Manager) expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality that the LEEA representatives had received from Mr. Michael Gelskey, Sr., Chief Executive Officer and the Lift-It team throughout their visit. Mr. Barnes wished them every success with the continued delivery of their training courses to end users. LEEA is a prestigious, international organization that not only provides training, but third party accreditation of training programs offered by Accredited Training Providers. Mike Gelskey, Jr. remarked, “The process was extremely comprehensive, but not overly difficult for one who has an organized training scheme. We began the process two years ago after my father had met Mr. Geoff Holden, LEEA executive director and their audits helped us improve not only the training, but our manufacturing processes. Several of our training and manufacturing personnel attended a 6 day, LEEA Gear Inspection Training Course that was incredibly informative and worthwhile prior to the final audit”. Michael Gelskey, Sr. states, “We are honored in our association with LEEA and the excellent work they do internationally to improve sling use and inspection safety. We felt that our investment was certainly worthwhile to not only demonstrate our dedication to excellence, but serve as an expression of corporate responsibility.” Students attending the regularly scheduled training events offered at the Lift-It Learning Center or participating in on-site training offered by Lift-It will receive a certificate issued by LEEA after successfully completing course examinations. For more information on the training programs offered by Lift-It, visit lift-it.com or contact us at info@lift-it.com</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:4 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/gas-cylinder-cradles-educational-series Gas Cylinder Cradles-Educational Series <p>Today we will explore Gas Cylinder Cradles, their construction and use. Gas Cylinders are heavy-walled metal cylinders designed to store compressed gases. The hazards associated with these gases include unplanned displacement, explosion, chemical release and other consequences resulting from cylinder damage. For these reasons lifting and transporting compressed cylinders can have extremely dangerous consequences due to cylinder shape and lack of lifting points. Rolling cylinders on their sides, dragging them, or lifting by the valve cap can be dangerous and is certainly not efficient. The first step in considering how to handle Compressed Gas Cylinders is to determine the diameter and height of the cylinder. This will enable the proper selection of the appropriate gas cylinder cradle. There are several options when choosing a gas cylinder handling device. The light weight and affordable synthetic Gas Cylinder Cradles manufactured by Lift-It are certainly a preferred and proven method.</p> <p>Lift-It Gas Cylinder Cradles are made from polyester webbing and are rated at a 1,000 Lbs. Work Load Limit. They feature a buffered Lifting eye, bottle neck loop, forged rectangles for size adjustment, legs that encapsulate cylinder and a double ply leather lined cradle with abrasion pads. The cylinder base rests securely in a leather lined, nylon cradle, while the bottleneck loop presses against the cylinder neck, securely holding the cylinder. The tightening band unitizes the cylinder to the assembly legs making transportation easy and efficient. If you’re looking to tandem lift bottles for welding, Not a problem! Our model number CG 20A gets the job done, accommodating a 9 inch diameter oxygen bottle 46” to 54” high and a 13” diameter Acetylene bottle 38”-46” high. Lastly, stock number, CG 30A is designed to lift single ammonia bottles with diameters ranging from 13” to 16” and a height of 40”-54”.</p> <p>If your cylinder is outside of the standard dimensions, then custom Cylinder Cradles are readily available. All we would need to start production is the following dimensions from the chart diagram on page 71 of the Lift-It Resource Guide. -Cylinder Diameter -Base to Shoulder measurement -Neck Diameter -Shoulder to lifting eye. (Headroom measurement) Do not directly expose Gas Cylinder Cradles to weld spatter and sparks. Protective measures must be taken to ensure that melting and damage does not occur. Also ensure that the webbing is not degraded by exposure to ultraviolet rays. Conclusion: Lift-It Sales representatives are ready, willing and able to answer any questions. Call us at 909.469-2251. Also, remember to visit us a www.Lift-It.com and request your copy of our 500 page rigging resource guide, available in either printed or electronic versions. And if you really want to maximize and leverage your sling and rigging knowledge after watching this video check out our many different training opportunities available at the Lift-It Learning Center. These same programs are available as an on-site option. Take care and until next time, remember, rig right to go home at night!</p> <p>All products provide by Lift-It Manufacturing are sold with the express understanding that the purchaser and user are thoroughly familiar with the safe and proper use and application of the product. The user is responsible for proper use and application as detailed in all applicable standards and regulations. Use of slings and sling protection by untrained persons is hazardous. It is important that sling users be thoroughly familiar with the manufacturer’s recommendations and safety information that accompany our products.</p> <p>This video does not provide you with all the information you need to know in order to be considered trained and knowledgeable about sling protection and rigging. Remember, when it comes to using slings and/or sling protection, lack of skill, knowledge and care can result in severe injury or death. <a href="https://youtu.be/llNyMXxjB5I">Gas Cylinder Cradles</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:38 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/rigging-and-material-handling-industries-informational-videos Rigging and Material Handling Industries Informational Videos <p>Lift-It Manufacturing is pleased to announce the release of informational videos for the rigging and material handling industries.</p> <p>The informational videos will feature product and technical information as well as regulatory, compliance and training updates.</p> <p>Additional videos will be released weekly, so stay tuned and you may view them on our YouTube channel, Facebook page and at the Lift-It website.</p> <p>Thank you for taking the time to watch and learn. If there is anything we can do to help you we stand ready and willing to assist you in being the best you can be. Your quest for excellence is to be commended and pass on the gift you have received to others and particularly to those you are tasked with protecting.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Mike Gelskey Sr.<br />CEO-Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View Mike Gelskey, Sr. Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:37 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/cargo-nets-their-construction-and-use Cargo Nets-Their construction and use <p>Today we will explore cargo nets, their construction and use.<br />Cargo nets originally were named for their use in transferring cargo to and from ships but today they are used for a much wider variety of Lifting applications, in particular for vertical lifting of irregular and odd shaped loads, retrieval, load securement, barrier netting and even obstacle courses.<br />The first step in selecting a net is to know the application and what material would be best suited for your particular application. There are many different types of materials available but the best and most common are flat webbing and rope cordage.</p> <p>Let’s explore webbing nets, web cargo nets are considerably more flexible, lightweight and compact than wire or manila rope nets and are readily available in sizes, not limited to, but ranging from 4’ x 4’ to 20’ x 20’. These sizes allow the nets to function properly in vertical lifting applications, all nets must be square to encapsulate the load. This is what we like to call the “Apple in the Handkerchief effect”.</p> <p>Rectangular nets used for cargo handling will not properly encapsulate the load or distribute it over vertical and horizontal strength members within the net body. To ensure your net is the accurate size know the dimensions of your load before selecting a net as this will play a critical role in selecting the size you will need.<br />Our standard web nets are rated at 4,500 lbs and feature Alloy pear links in each of the four corners, this ensures a hard connection point while minimizing wear.</p> <p>If lifting in a critical area were metal components are not preferred we can fabricate soft eyes, as seen in this photo.<br />Our web nets are available in commercial grade and Military specification grade and meet the Department of Defense specification Mil-S-18313G. Both have a mesh opening size of approximately 6.25 inches square.</p> <p>We do offer custom sizes if desired as we like to say nets can be made mild to wild and no net is too big or too small. To date the largest net we have made had a working load capacity that exceed 100,000 lbs.!</p> <p>To learn more about cargo nets head on over to the Lift-It You Tube channel and watch our newest video.</p> <p>&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09WM3ib8sb4</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:36 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/synthetic-sling-inspection-simplified Synthetic Sling Inspection Simplified <p>Michael Gelskey Sr., CEO, Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc., is the featured speaker in the upcoming Specialized Carriers &amp; Rigging Association Webinar titled, “Synthetic Sling Inspection Simplified.”</p> <p>Slings are an important part of any lifting operation. Proper sling usage and inspection are of utmost importance; possibly more important than the operation of the crane itself.<br />Mr. Gelskey will provide a step-by-step guide for sling inspection and the proper techniques necessary to properly inspect synthetic slings. The “Synthetic Sling Inspection Simplified” webinar will provide information on inspection systems, techniques and removal from service criteria for web, round and Twin-Path® slings.</p> <p>Make sure your employees take advantage of this session to completing an efficient sling inspection.</p> <p>The date for this special webinar is April 1st at 12PM EST.</p> <p>You can register for this webinar by&nbsp;<a href="http://scranet.cvent.com/events/synthetic-sling-inspection-simplified/event-summary-a6c51a70a8994e0591cf4d09b706e670.aspx">clicking here</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:35 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/synthetic-lifting-sling-life-expectancy Synthetic Lifting Slings Life Expectancy <p>In the 1990′s an article was published stating that synthetic slings lose strength, strictly as a function of time. The article relayed the results of destruction testing performed on USED slings taken from power plants, line trucks, paper mills and other locations. A majority of the slings broke below a 5/1 design factor.<br />The less than scientific conclusion of the testing was that synthetic slings lose strength as a function of time and I was mentioned, possibly to add credence to the incorrect conclusion by making the point that if shelf life were not valid, “Gelskey would not put the date of manufacture on all slings made by his company”.<br />The logic was incorrect on many levels. The so called experiment lacked many basic elements necessary to prove the hypothesis under what is accepted as the scientific method, namely the independent variable, time was not isolated.<br />The sample slings pulled to destruction in this study had been subjected to use, weather and environmental factors. They could have been exposed to overloading, chemical and ultraviolet light degradation or perhaps were not manufactured properly.<br />All Lift-It slings are marked with date of manufacture and are individually serialized so that users and inspectors will have an exact idea of how long our slings have been in service. Our rationale was that despite appearances slings may be removed from service and destroyed as many are very inexpensive when compared to the cost of the items they handle. Simply stated, sling retirement may be an excellent form of cheap insurance. Another perspective may be to consider the cost of failure.<br />When slings are stored for extended periods in conditions that do not exactly duplicate optimum storage conditions, sling strength may be affected. An example would be when slings in Eastern Washington (desert conditions) are stored outside in metal containers. Those slings can take on spring steel qualities and recoil to assume their wrapped condition. After many years slings stored inside under conditions that DO NOT EXACTLY DUPLICATE optimal storage conditions, can begin to exhibit a gummy or sticky finish.<br />We have on a couple of occasions pulled slings to destruction that were kept in optimum storage conditions: dry, dark, cool and free of mechanical and environmental damage. In all instances the slings broke above the 5/1 design factor. Both slings were approximately eleven years old.<br />The salient difference in the destruction tests done by Lift-It and the testing done in the erroneous 1990’s article is that the Lift-It test slings were never used for lifting or subjected to any form of degradation.<br />Under these conditions, the independent variable, time was indeed isolated.<br />In the early nineties when the non-scientific study results were published I was assailed by webbing and yarn producers. I was informed on more than one occasion that synthetic fibers DO NOT lose strength strictly as a function of time. On one particular occasion, a fiber producer was extremely profane in making his point based upon extensive testing in oxidation chambers. Those results contradicted the incorrect conclusion made in the erroneous article.<br />Time, as independent variable, DOES NOT affect sling strength. Other variables such as storage and exposure to chemical, environmental and mechanical forms of damage do affect sling strength.<br />Always remember, sling design factors apply only to newly manufactured and unused slings.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Mike Gelskey, SR.<br />CEO-Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:34 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/cost-effective-excellence-is-not-dropping-loads Cost Effective Excellence is NOT Dropping Loads! <p>It was a pleasure to present for the AWEA-O&amp;M and Safety Seminar for the fourth consecutive year. Everything was first cabin, as usual and Hotel Del Coronado was a delightful location for the conference.</p> <p>Another power conference requested a presentation on&nbsp;Cost Effective Excellence&nbsp;in the context of sling and rigging activities. For thirty-three years I have presented a simple message: rig right to go home at night.</p> <p>I was informed prior to the other conference that while my message on sling and rigging safety was greatly appreciated, my presentation should really focus on cost saving measures. The need for efficient operations is now more important than ever.</p> <p>One of the worst accidents in the history of the rigging world occurred on 2012 Easter Sunday morning. Two deaths, multiple injuries and BILLIONS of dollars in damages occurred after a scheduled maintenance operation went wrong and a 550 ton plant component was dropped.</p> <p>Cost Effective Excellence is NOT Dropping Loads&nbsp;presented specific steps to employ for a substantial return on investment. If you are interested in saving hundreds of thousands of dollars, while protecting lives, limbs and property, our presentation provided the basis for attaining that objective.</p> <p>Our presentation will enable you to stop throwing hard earned money away as a dollar saved is just as important as the dollar earned.</p> <p>Contact me to arrange for your presentation of&nbsp;Cost Effective Excellence is NOT Dropping Loads&nbsp;and receive the platform to provide awareness, action and effective techniques to prevent accidents and save money.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, Sr.<br />Chief Executive Officer</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:33 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/competent-sling-rigging-hardware-inspector-3 Competent Sling & Rigging Hardware Inspector <h3><strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3557">&nbsp;</strong><strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3561">I thought it was 3 strikes, you’re out?</strong></h3> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3528">A one strike, you’re out rule&nbsp;would&nbsp;result in a catastrophic outcome&nbsp;if&nbsp;your team was down by 1, bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th&nbsp;and it was&nbsp;game seven of the world series.<a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/56.png"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-301" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/56-300x208.png" alt="56" width="300" height="208" /></a></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3551">Thankfully the rules for baseball are different than the rules for sling inspection, but many don’t see it that way.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3554">&nbsp;The use of damaged slings and rigging equipment results in catastrophic&nbsp;&nbsp;events that could&nbsp;play out&nbsp;if&nbsp;this gear is not inspected by informed and educated&nbsp;educated sling inspectors. There is zero tolerance for defects for synthetic slings.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3585">&nbsp;Make the investment to enroll your inspector and provide education in proper sling inspection systems,&nbsp;techniques and removal from service criteria. If you don’t have a designated inspector, now is the time to act!</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3547">&nbsp;Stay ahead of the curve ball and win not just the game,&nbsp; but&nbsp;the world series when it comes to your people going&nbsp;home to their loved ones each and every night.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3539">&nbsp;Register for&nbsp;the November 12 &amp; 13&nbsp;“Competent Sling &amp; Rigging Hardware Inspector” class&nbsp;today and receive&nbsp; a 15% discount&nbsp;by mentioning this special promotion.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3540">&nbsp;<strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3529">Further details can be found on our website&nbsp;<a id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414495864886_3617" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lOkkzBYJIe86HcMgoOU90xbM5a1RhoSKAA_qToBqgp9pehVe8BK5w2jLOVprm_Oes8XrNhAAizDu-C1mrICsvo6gsrS1jTFeg3YbP-V3UsSmOYiir9PzsNAgaoMysxbouNYKZN4BboZfY8qLOIJ2DzHv6VxE6K7x0D_ic0jyzVI=&amp;c=Eq4A1et33rk4CeZW3kuSfvRtNqMRfuGzqA1oVsiA9B4DeCJyHuZlWg==&amp;ch=0UFXLYse23XnkiNqE9UT3uoOOq2HhVPOHs4_4KoOq09xeo1YBC7npw==" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" shape="rect">www.lift-it.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a title="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lOkkzBYJIe86HcMgoOU90xbM5a1RhoSKAA_qToBqgp9pehVe8BK5w5I3rEOB_3lMhYqZmuTq1IKfTp-jCdDP_B5VVo77rl42gbLluW77bBCfCYRELvK4nos-OqdZ5hmHOYo8gSH-1w05efMrnnL4HoGuGicy8TrxHmuN6ZH4NEChSj7mtGDA3HepxAn-XpVAMFj6PsFDkTnVX9tEgJLncowEbqb1FwjNsSjY0qGhgRT2nqdGC8W5_ibElLp_JWFf&amp;c=Eq4A1et33rk4CeZW3kuSfvRtNqMRfuGzqA1oVsiA9B4DeCJyHuZlWg==&amp;ch=0UFXLYse23XnkiNqE9UT3uoOOq2HhVPOHs4_4KoOq09xeo1YBC7npw==" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lOkkzBYJIe86HcMgoOU90xbM5a1RhoSKAA_qToBqgp9pehVe8BK5w-QK9Wn7DLfU-RLv7j0nS3dc9dVBfxV_J_Z3XlFQv3KcFOehiKpQDk7lmNvfdxfsAplGaUl6hjqNixWxMyR9FlLeMUFyzyKWvmxTxfWhaPvL9XiFj-jNaDClHAtXcwS2YgAwC9a09ClmPzA3VsQNcL_PmVisGjPdLOoF5OjzM8pQMdhyQX325QG0ZMIJqPSk4fkiB1NWmENKtZ6HAOrB1AY=&amp;c=Eq4A1et33rk4CeZW3kuSfvRtNqMRfuGzqA1oVsiA9B4DeCJyHuZlWg==&amp;ch=0UFXLYse23XnkiNqE9UT3uoOOq2HhVPOHs4_4KoOq09xeo1YBC7npw==" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" shape="rect">click here</a>&nbsp;to register now!</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:32 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/sling-and-rigging-hardware-inspection-program Sling and Rigging Hardware Inspection Program <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3471"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3471"><strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3470">OPPD-Ft. Calhoun Walks the Talk!</strong></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3447">I meet many different people and everyone says that they will contact me for training.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Some of the same folks I have seen no less than nine times&nbsp;in so many years&nbsp;keep on&nbsp;repeating&nbsp;the same<br />old line.&nbsp; There are&nbsp;thinkers, talkers&nbsp;and&nbsp;people who take&nbsp;action.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3448"></div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3449">The safety professionals at OPPD-Ft. Calhoun have spent more time,money and resources than any single generator of power that we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. This summer we will present another Sling and Rigging Hardware Inspection Program on location for them.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3450"></div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408374018413_3482">Everyone says they’ll do something before bad things happen to good people.&nbsp; Others may think,want and desire to do something and then there are those who analyze, evaluate, identify the gap and take action to bridge the gap.&nbsp; Contact us.&nbsp;&nbsp;Have slings, do travel!</div> </div> urn:store:1:blog:post:3 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/helicopter-rigging-2 Helicopter Rigging <p>I was asked to present a sling and rigging overview training course for helicopter rigging at the 2014 HAI Conference in Anaheim, California. It was an honor to present the program with Robert Libby, Advanced Helicopter Training, Inc. in a preconference educational program. Jeff Gordon, Southern California Edison also presented a brilliant program on the planning that should be involved in all helicopter rigging applications.&nbsp; Both Mr. Gordon and Mr. Libby commented that while helicopter rigging is an extremely important factor in any successful mission, it often is totally overlooked when compared with land based lifting operations. Helicopter lifting slings like any rigging device, when used improperly can result in injury or death. From an exposure perspective improper helicopter sling usage can result in more devastating consequences than land based, sling and rigging operations. Helicopter Long Lines are also used for Human External Cargo applications and there are increasingly more inherent risk factors when the “load” is not an inanimate object. &nbsp;Human External Cargo Lines will be used more frequently by utility companies that perform transmission line work as more cost effective work can be done from the air than from the ground. Helicopter Long Lines manufactured by Lift-It® feature the finest materials and the same heavy duty fabrication skills developed over thirty-five years which are required to manufacture Lifting Slings capable of carrying serious weight.&nbsp;&nbsp; A Helicopter Long Line rated at 1,000 Lbs. receives the same care and attention to detail as Slings rated at 100,000 Lbs. Responsibility for any amount of weight from a manufacturing and load handling perspective should be based upon destruction testing. We are&nbsp;seriously committed in our dedication to excellence and operate 75 ton and 300 ton, in house, test machines calibrated to ASTM E4 standards. All Lift-It® HEC Lines and Helicopter Long Lines are proof tested and certified.&nbsp; Lift-It® Helicopter Long Lines provide the greatest value for your long line purchasing dollar.&nbsp; Lift-It® Long Lines featuring&nbsp;robust Dyneema® SK-75 fiber, YKK® Zippers,&nbsp;&nbsp; Cordura® and Vinyl&nbsp;materials meeting the demanding needs of the helicopter rigging industry. In addition to the vast array of helicopter long lines, we offer a complete line of Helicopter cargo nets and helicopter barrel slings.&nbsp; Helicopter cargo nets must be square in shape and are available in many sizes, fabricated from webbing or rope.&nbsp; Helicopter barrel slings with a bottom support design feature provides for positive barrel engagement. An important safety consideration in the use of a helicopter lifting sling, helicopter cargo net or helicopter barrel sling is a pre-use inspection. There is zero tolerance for defects and even a minor tear in a non-load bearing component, such as a zippered, primary, secondary or weighted long line can have profound and devastating consequences. Some additional safety points to consider: Helicopter Long Line inspections must be thorough, systematic and non-compromising. The inspection process should involve visual and tactile (hand over hand) inspection techniques as some forms of damage are not always visibly apparent.&nbsp; The inspector must always act conservatively as residual rope strength can never be determined by visual or tactile inspection; it can only be determined by destruction testing. Do not use any Helicopter Long Line,&nbsp; helicopter Sling, Helicopter Cargo Net, Hardware or Sling Protection Device that appears to be damaged. If there is any doubt, do not use and remove from service for a manufacturer evaluation. The user is responsible for establishing an Inspection System that employs three levels of inspection: Initial, Frequent and Periodic.&nbsp; The system should also include a person responsible for the development and perpetuation of the inspection program which would include: Training, Procedures, Recordkeeping, Removal from Service Criteria, Scheduling and Maintenance of the Inspection Records. Inspect the entire length of all Helicopter Long Lines for damage including splices. Ensure Eye Splices securely captivate thimbles and that Lockstitch Thread and Whipping Thread is not damaged or broken. Make sure Eye Splices are correct, have not slipped and do not display surface abrasion or cuts. Also inspect the Leg Junction to ensure it does not display cut or jagged strands. Both outer and inner rope fibers contribute to the strength of a Helicopter Long Line. When either is worn, the rope is weakened. Heavy use will cause the rope to be compacted or hard. This is an indication that rope tensile strength has been reduced. UV degradation is indicated by discoloration and the presence of splinters and slivers on the rope surface.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:31 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/pacific-gas-electric-and-middle-child-syndrome Pacific Gas & Electric and "Middle Child" Syndrome <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406823091273_4909"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406823091273_4909">Junior has worked at Lift-It prior to entering that wonderful period we refer to as the</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406823091273_4914">teenage years.&nbsp; Being a middle child didn’t help matters.&nbsp; The good people at PG&amp;E</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406823091273_4910">really thought the world of Junior when instead of selling them a very expensive spreader<br />beam and rigging, he suggested that they purchase the rigging and RENT the spreader bar.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406823091273_4913">Months later this&nbsp;was brought to my attention at a management presentation for Pacific Gas &amp; Electric.&nbsp; Needless everyone, including me was impressed with the idea and thankful that greed did not motivate the “middle child”.</div> </div> urn:store:1:blog:post:30 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/custom-fabricated-tie-back-slings Custom Fabricated Tie Back Slings <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405522928084_3409"> <div><strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405522928084_3411">APS-PVNGS Takes Excellence Up a Notch</strong></div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405522928084_3412">Arizona Public Service, Palo Verne Nuclear&nbsp;Generating Station&nbsp;is the nation’s largest<br />nuclear generation facility.&nbsp; The Lift-It family has had a long and honorable history<br />with the good people at PVNGS. <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many take distressed slings and use them for tiebacks to secure crane blocks and headache balls to the equipment during transport. The safety professionals at PVNGS took excellence to a higher level reasoning that distressed slings should not be used for any application. They had dedicated, polyester roundslings manufactured and labeled specifically for this application.</p> </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405522928084_3416"></div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405522928084_3415">Contact us and we can fabricate, colorize and label tie back slings for your application.</div> </div> urn:store:1:blog:post:29 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lead-blanket-cart-design-and-fabrication Lead Blanket Cart Design and Fabrication <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>AEP – DC Cook Gets the Lead Out</strong><br />The professionals at AEP, DC Cook took a proactive approach and<br />did more than talk about a problem. The collaboration with the design and<br />fabrication team at Lift-It Manufacturing resulted in a custom, Lead Blanket<br />Cart (Model No. LMC100355-755) capable of handling 4000 Lbs. The Cart<br />has usable inside width dimensions of 27.75″ and usable interior length<br />dimensions of 48 inches. Custom sizes and capacities are readily available.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:28 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/van-beest-rigging-hardware-master-distributor Van Beest Rigging Hardware Master Distributor <p>We are honored to announce the collaboration between Van Beest and Lift-It® Manufacturing.</p> <p>Lift-It® is the west coast, master distributor for Van Beest. Without substituting quality for cost, the Green Pin® brand has earned a reputation as an industry leader in design and quality standards. Compliant with a wide range of internationally and nationally recognized standards such as RR-C-271, all Van Beest products carry a “metric” or long ton rating.</p> <p>What does all this mean? Lower cost, extremely short lead times and great quality! We carry a range of sizes and different types of rigging hardware listed below:<br />• 1/2″- 3-1/2″ – 120 Ton Bolt Type Shackles<br />• 1/4″ – 2-1/2″ – 55 Ton Screw Pin Shackles<br />• 40 – 200 Ton Wide Body Shackles<br />• 2 ½”-2 ¾” Jaw &amp; Jaw Turnbuckles<br />Call today and your order ships the same day!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:27 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/rigger-training Rigger Training <p>Effective rigger training like all training must do much more than simply provide information. Rigger training that does not result in changed behavior will not improve safety by reducing accidents. Long before industrial training was fashionable I began developing sling and rigging training which continues to evolve with each and every training session.</p> <p>Based upon the feedback we receive from corporate, association and industrial training clients we know that passion and conviction play incredible roles in modifying dangerous behavior resulting in accident prevention.</p> <p>Effective rigger training must challenge the attendee to examine their learned behavior and compare it with a benchmark.&nbsp;&nbsp;I believe in my message and my conviction certainly assists in getting those I train to consider the importance of their actions and the inevitable results.&nbsp;&nbsp;If your message is not compelling, singularly, passion will not yield a bountiful harvest. The plan is a simple one, we present the ideal, ask our students to examine their practices, determine the gap and prosecute our efforts to bridge the gap.</p> <p>The goal of all rigger training should be to change perspectives and attitudes, one by one, resulting in behavior modification as an aversion to risky behavior is cultivated. If the trainer does not accomplish this then the activity is nothing more than window dressing whereby hindquarters are covered.</p> <p>There is nothing like the satisfaction I receive when my students tell me that they have been rigging for many years and that they truly benefited from my lesson plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;This result is not easily achieved and requires a tremendous amount of development, practice, presentation and evaluation time. After thirty two years of practice I continue to adapt me course material beyond the necessary changes resulting from technological advances and regulatory updates.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the ripe, old age of twenty-six I began my industrial training career and presented sling and rigging classes for an aerospace company and a crane repair facility.&nbsp;&nbsp;The preparation put into making these engagements successful paid off tremendously when I arrived early to set up for what would be one of the largest audiences I have ever addressed in a massive hotel ballroom located nearby the Los Angeles International Airport.</p> <p>Long before training was fashionable I would present at any location, sometimes around the clock for anyone that would listen. Bruce McConnel and I did five continuous days of on-site training at the Phelps Dodge-Silver City, NM location and charged nothing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Based upon shift schedule we alternated with one hour presentations over a 16 hour period and provided an overview of wire and synthetic sling usage for several hundred miners.&nbsp;&nbsp;The master mechanic did visit the safety office and express his gratitude.&nbsp;&nbsp;Those that train know that presenting four- sixty minute presentations in a single day is a tenuous task. Forty&nbsp;<a name="_GoBack"></a>&nbsp;presentations over a five day period would make water boarding seem like a church social!</p> <p>The well-being of sling users truly is a passion that I have always had and it was further reinforced by the first sling fatality when one of our slings, badly damaged and not inspected prior to&nbsp;&nbsp;use, snapped and killed a Rodney Armstrong Guy, a 32 year old lineman.</p> <p>You can judge a person’s passion by asking them one simple question. Would you do, what you do for free, assuming all your basic needs were already met?&nbsp;&nbsp;I can honestly and unreservedly say YES.</p> <p>The Lift-It Learning Center is a dream come true.&nbsp;&nbsp;Regularly scheduled, safety training classes such as Crane and Rigging Training for the Competent and Qualified Person are presented.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, to Sling User, Basic Rigging Training and Sling Inspection Training, class for Harrington Hoist Inspection are also offered.&nbsp;</p> <p>Just a few weeks back we presented at a corporate event in Las Vegas and a day later at a large association meeting in San Diego.&nbsp;&nbsp;The excitement of changing lives and making them better with enthusiastic industrial sling and rigging training has not waned, but has actually become more intensified as I continually improve and perfect a lesson plan that has been called life altering.</p> <p>Michael J. Gelskey, Sr.</p> <p>&nbsp;<br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">Connect on Google+ Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:26 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wire-rope-slings-2 Wire Rope Slings <p>Wire rope slings have been the backbone of the sling and rigging industry for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Industrial lifting, crane and rigging companies have successfully used wire rope slings for many different applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even with the advent of synthetic slings in the early 1970’s, wire rope slings continue to have a place in rigging lofts worldwide.</p> <p>It is important to know how to select a wire rope sling for a particular application.&nbsp;&nbsp;Initially wire rope slings were “hand spliced” and some may still use hand spliced wire slings.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is well known that rotation of the load can cause a hand spliced wire rope sling to come undone resulting in a dangerous situation.<br />Wire rope slings with mechanical spliced, Flemish eyes are a much better sling than a hand spliced sling.</p> <p>If is also important to expose sling users to wire rope sling education.&nbsp;&nbsp;It never ceases to amaze me how many riggers, who use wire rope slings daily do not know or understand D/d ratio and the effect it has on wire rope sling efficiency.&nbsp;&nbsp;“D” (the diameter of the object you rig around) divided by “d” (the diameter of the wire rope sling) play an important part in determining overall sling capacity.&nbsp;</p> <p>A 25/1 D/d ratio provides the sling user with 100% sling efficiency. In other words, if one rigs around a 25 inch diameter pipe with a 1 inch wire rope sling at a 90 degree basket hitch configuration, the sling user can use the sling at the 90 degree, basket work load limit as indicated on the sling tag.&nbsp;&nbsp;Conversely if the same, 1 inch diameter wire rope sling is rigged around a 4 inch diameter steel pipe resulting in a 4/1 D/d that same sling would have to be downgraded by 25% and would only have 75% of the rated, 90 degree basket work load limit.</p> <p>Wire rope sling education should also inform the sling user of the differences in constructions, designs and materials. Braided wire rope slings, single body slings, multiple leg wire rope slings, strand laid grommets, swage socket assemblies all need to be used properly and inspected by competent inspectors, who have attended competent sling and rigging hardware training.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Even the core of the wire rope has profound implications for sling users and their safety.<br />Wire rope slings fabricated with Independent Wire Rope Cores (IWRC) have a higher temperature limit than slings fabricated with Fiber Cores (FC). Wire rope slings with fiber cores cannot be used at temperatures exceeding 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Wire rope slings with independent wire rope cores can be used at temperatures not exceeding 400 degrees Fahrenheit.</p> <p>Some wire rope sling users<a name="_GoBack"></a>&nbsp;believe that wire rope slings are cut-proof.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is also where wire rope sling education has to provide the basis for a correct perspective.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anything, even diamonds can be cut when tension and compression join forces. The ASME B30.9 sling safety standard states, “wire rope slings should be protected from damage by materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction.”</p> <p>If you have any questions, feel free to contact the sales professionals at Lift-It Manufacturing. We will assist you in determining how to order the correct sling for your application.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Rigging Resource Guide contains a wealth of information on the selection, use and inspection of wire rope slings, chain slings, metal mesh slings, web slings and roundslings.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">Mike Gelskey, Sr. on Google+</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:18 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/sling-safety-training-educational-article Sling Safety Training Educational Article <div class="entry-content"> <div class="featured-image-wrapper attachment-small wp-post-image"> <div class="featured-image"> <div class="featured-image-inner"><img class="wp-post-image alignleft" src="http://awrf.org/update/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/MikeSrpic-136x195.jpg" alt="MikeSrpic" width="136" height="195" /></div> </div> </div> <p>I presented the details of a fatality resulting from improper sling usage for the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators at their October 2013 meeting in Los Angeles. My presentation followed Todd Peterson, an attorney, who presented the events surrounding a serious injury that occurred in Omaha, Nebraska. The economic impact from injury is generally more of a serious consequence to a manufacturer than a fatality.</p> <p>I began my career in the rigging industry at the ripe old age of seventeen. Seven years later I founded Lift-It Manufacturing. My training career began when I was twenty-six and I have been “practicing” for the past thirty-three years to perfect a message that will educate, inspire and challenge my students to adopt a quest for excellence that does not allow compromise.</p> <p>My objective in the presentation for AWRF was to inform our association members of the specific details involved in this fatality to assist them in future safety and sales presentations. Some consider safety and product sales to be mutually exclusive, but this is not necessarily true.<br />It was during one of my training missions in northern Montana that I was informed that Rodney A. Guy, a thirty-two year old lineman was killed while using a sling made in our factory on March 20, 1992 at 2:15 PM. He and his crew were working in Rio Vista, CA on high power transmission lines and were in the final stages of the job.</p> <p>I called the subcontractor who employed Mr. Guy and was told that the sling had failed exactly at the sling midpoint and the failure had occurred in a straight line. It was confirmed by the Accident Review Board that the sling had been previously damaged and was not inspected before use. In addition, the sling was overloaded and was degraded by ultraviolet ray degradation. In this instance and in many others generally it is not a single factor, but many factors which combine and lead to the death, injury and destruction.</p> <p>As rigging professionals it is our duty to provide products and information that will enable our customers to effectively and efficiently accomplish their objective. Sales and safety are companions as true professionals will not only promote slings, but will also provide adequate sling protection.<br />It is disappointing when my training clients are amazed at the selection of protection devices that we and other progressive companies offer. It becomes readily apparent that the supplier servicing the training client is either uninformed or too busy to educate and provide information on sling protection devices.<br />All slings are susceptible to damage, synthetic slings are particularly vulnerable as they are not as robust as chain, wire rope or metal mesh slings. Two slings were used at the time of Rodney’s death. The unbroken sling had extensive damage and based upon the failure mode of our sling it had also been damaged in a similar manner. Adequate protection would have prevented this damage from occurring.</p> <p>It is extremely important for sales and safety professionals, as well as for sling users to realize that sling protection must be of sufficient strength, thickness and construction to prevent damage and that the edge need not be “razor” sharp to result in damage to the protection and/or the sling.</p> <p>Gloves, cardboard and makeshift devices are generally not effective. Some companies provide sling protectors which have been tested and labelled, providing the user with the cut resistance capabilities of the protection devices. This is very redemptive as the user is not tasked with determining adequacy.</p> <p><img class="size-medium wp-image-1619 alignleft" src="http://awrf.org/update/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Picture2-300x215.jpg" alt="Picture2" width="300" height="215" /></p> <p>Sling inspection is also critically important to ensure safe usage. If any one of the four men on March 20, 1992 had inspected the sling and had been trained to detect damage, the sling would not have been used. The cost of the sling was $40.00 and our dealer, Cable/Cisco in West Sacramento, which is forty miles from the fatality site, had similar slings in stock. Forty dollars and forty miles would have been all that was needed to prevent this terrible tragedy.<br />In addition, both slings were severely degraded by ultraviolet light. They were once bright yellow and vibrant in color. Photos taken at the time of the incident depict slings which are faded and gray. When slings are not in use they should be stored in a cool, dark, dry location which is free from mechanical or environmental damage. The principle is a simple one: If you take care of your rigging, your rigging will take care of you.</p> <p>I challenged those in attendance at my presentations to become vigilant in the promotion of adequate sling protection. I challenge my students to view their sling storage locations and ask one question. The slings are plentiful, but where’s the protection? “You can’t have one without the other, it’s like a hand in a glove, like bread and butter!” Cute rhyme that helps sling users remember to always have protection alongside their slings!<br />Even after hundreds of presentations done over the past thirty-three years I still do not sleep well the night before the presentation. I’m excited about the&nbsp;<a title="Sling Safety Training" href="/info-sling-and-rigging-training">upcoming training</a>, the people I will meet and lives that I will impact. It’s a numbers game and nothing good comes from a person dying, other than to use their example to scare others alive. There is no way of knowing how many lives Rodney has saved by dying, but those who have met him through me, owe Mr. Guy and his family a tremendous debt of gratitude.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1620" src="http://awrf.org/update/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Picture3-250x300.jpg" alt="Picture3" width="250" height="300" /><br />(Please note the sling in the background and the evident damage. This is the sling that killed Rodney!)</p> </div> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View Mike Gelskey Sr. Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:17 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-ceo-mike-gelskey-sr-featured-on-american-wire-rope-fabricators-awrf-website Lift-It CEO, Mike Gelskey Sr., featured on American Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) website <p>Mike Gelskey Sr., CEO of Lift-It Manufacturing is featured on the American Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) website. Mr. Gelskey is featured in a educational article regarding "Sling Safety Training-The Right Perspective." Mr. Gelskey, has been serving the rigging industry for over 40 years. He recently presented the details of a fatality resulting from improper sling usage for the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators at their October 2013 meeting in Los Angeles. To read the article in its entirety and to learn more about sling safety training and the mission Mr. Gelskey and the team at Lift-It is on please click through to the AWRF article by <a title="Sling Safety Training Educational Article" href="http://awrf.org/2013/12/12/sling-safety-training-the-right-perspective/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clicking here</a>. &nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:16 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/chain-slings-educational-series Chain Slings Educational Series <p>Chain slings are one of the most durable and robust types of rigging available. It is not uncommon to inspect chain slings that have been in service up to 40 years. Industrial lifting slings fabricated from chain offer riggers two important advantages over nylon web slings, polyester round slings and twin-path® slings: wire chain slings are more temperature tolerant, cut resistant and certain options allow chain rigging slings to be adjustable.</p> <p>Chain is produced in different grades. The larger the lifting chain grade number, the stronger the rigging chain. Grade 30 and 40 chain is sold at many hardware stores and is great for barricading parking lots or defending yourself, but shall NEVER be used for lifting chains. Grade 70 transport chains used by trucking and transportation companies are acceptable for use as tie down chains to tie down loads, but shall NEVER be used for rigging chain lifting slings. The only grades of rigging chain that is acceptable for lifting (not overhead lifting, as you are never on, under, near or next to the load or any rigging that is under tension) are grade 80 lifting chain, grade 100 lifting chain and grade 120 rigging chain. The metal used in Grade 80, 100 and 120 crane rigging slings is designed to stretch and elongate. This is a very important reason for close attention to detail when measuring chain slings during the annual inspection. Up to a few years ago the most common grade of alloy lifting chain used for crane chain slings was grade 80. Recently, most major rigging chain manufacturers are shifting to grade 100 lifting chain, which size for size is stronger and lighter than grade 80 rigging chain. The lifting chain used in the fabrication of your rigging chain slings is quenched and tempered in the wire chain fabrication process. The Chain rigging slings we make and supply meets or exceeds the recommended standards of the National Association of Chain Manufacturers (NACM), ANSI/ASME B30.9 standards and DOL-OSHA regulations.</p> <p>There are many different type of chain sling fittings that enable the users of industrial lifting slings fabricated from chain access to single leg chain slings, double leg chain slings (also known as two leg chain slings), triple leg chain slings (also known as three leg chain sling bridles) and quad leg chain slings (also known as four legged rigging chain sling bridles). In addition to standard chain sling fittings, custom made fittings and custom made lifting chains are readily available.</p> <p>Standards that govern the manufacture of chain lifting slings require that either the final assembly or all the individual components used to fabricate rigging chains must be proof tested and certified. We proof test every chain sling we manufacture and provide you with a certificate of test. We do not charge extra for this service.</p> <p>We are proud to offer the Gunnebo, GrabiQ line of chain rigging slings in addition to wide range of standard industrial lifting chain slings. The GrabiQ chain sling system is simpler and smarter! Instead of the conventional approach where one fitting does on job, GrabiQ crane chain slings and chain sling bridles combine up to three separate functions into a single component. A GrabiQ two leg adjustable chain sling would have ONLY three fittings. The GrabiQ, master grab serves with built in adjustment hooks, serves as a master link, a connector for the rigging chain sling legs and also allows adjustment for the chain sling legs, IN ONE FITTING. To put it into perspective, a GrabiQ double leg adjustable rigging chain sling bridle has a total of ONE fitting. A conventional, double leg adjustable chain sling bridle would have SEVEN fittings. The difference is even more dramatic when you consider the same comparison for a four leg adjustable chain sling bridle. A GrabiQ four leg adjustable rigging chain sling bridle has a total of THREE fittings. A normal double leg adjustable chain crane sling bridle would have THIRTEEN fittings. To view the radical difference, see page 170 in our Resource Guide.</p> <p>Anyone given the choice, would automatically opt for the GrabiQ lifting chain sling by answering two questions:<br />Which chain sling bridle is lighter? Which rigging chain bridle sling is easier to inspect?</p> <p>There are many unique fittings that make up the GrabiQ chain sling system. Top fittings are: Master Grab (MG) for single leg sling rigging chains and Master Grab Dual (MGD) for two lifting chain leg slings. The Master Grab and Master Grab Dual combine master link, connector and shortening functions into one fitting. Oblong master links (MF) can be used for 1, 2, 3 or 4 leg chain slings when C-Grab or C-Lok lifting chain sling connectors are used. Oblong master links (MFX) can be used as the top connector for 1 leg or 2 leg chain sling assemblies when used with C-Grab or C-Lok connectors. The oversized masterlink with sublink (MTX) is used as the top connector for 3 leg or 4 leg chain sling assemblies with C-Grab or C-Lok connectors.</p> <p>GraiQ connector components are used with MF, MFX or MTX master links to form up chain sling bridle assemblies.<br />The GrabiQ C-Grab (CG) is used as a connection to a masterlink for a single leg chain sling and can also be used as a sliding choker hook. The C-Grab has a built in chain pocket for shortening or creating leg loops. The GrabiQ C-Grab Dual (CGD) functions like the C-Grab, except it connects two legs of lifting chain to the MF, MFX or MTX masterlinks. C-Lok (CL) hooks are used with the GrabiQ masterlinks to attach one leg of chain and can also be used as a sliding choker hook.</p> <p>C-Lok Dual (CDL) is a GrabiQ connector link used to attach two legs of crane chain sling to GrabiQ master links.</p> <p>GrabiQ hooks are also readily available as the fitting that connects the chain sling to the load. EGKN sling hooks are one of the most popular fittings. The GBK self-locking hook features a protected grip latch that locks in the hook point.</p> <p>GrabiQ swivel hooks are also available. LBK Swivel eye features a grip latch and a bushing that allows hook rotation BEFORE the load is applied. The LKBK swivel eye grip latch hook has a ball bearing that allows the hook to swivel under load. The EGKN GrabiQ clevis sling hook is also a very popular chain rigging sling hook.</p> <p>GrabiQ top assemblies are available for non-adjustable and adjustable rigging chain sling assemblies. Top L Top Lok (TL1) is for single leg or 1 leg chain rigging slings that are not adjustable. (TL2) is for double leg or 2 leg crane chain slings that are not adjustable. Top Lok (TL3) is for triple leg or 3 leg chain rigging slings that are not adjustable. Top Lok (TL4) is for quadruple leg or 4 leg chain slings that are not adjustable. If adjustable chain sling bridles are desired, GrabiQ Top Grab assemblies can be used. Top Grab (TG1) is for single leg or 1 leg wire chain slings that are fully adjustable. Top Grab (TG2) is for double leg or 2 leg lifting chain slings that are fully adjustable. Top Grab (TG3) is for triple leg or 3 leg rigging chain slings that are fully adjustable. Top Grab (TG4) is for quadruple leg or 4 leg chain crane slings that are fully adjustable.<br />GrabiQ components also enable the use of single basket chain slings and double basket chain sling assemblies that are non-adjustable, adjustable from one side and/or adjustable from both sides. The BS single basket chain sling is not adjustable. GrabiQ BSG single basket chain sling assemblies are adjustable from one side. The single basket type BSGG is a single leg basket sling that is adjustable from each side. Double basket chain sling assemblies are available as a non-adjustable chain sling Double Basket (DB). For a double basket chain sling that is adjustable from one side, specify:Model BDG. For additional versatility, the double leg basket chain sling is adjustable from either side.</p> <p>GrabiQ MIG Midgrab shorteners are another innovative way to adjust the length of chain sling legs. The midgrab shortener can instantly positioned on any part of the chain sling leg or set idle when not in use. For a visual overview of the more popular GrabiQ chain sling assemblies see page 174 in our Resource Guide.</p> <p>Chain slings that utilize standard chain sling fittings and components are also readily available. Single leg chain slings and chain slings with 2, 3 or 4 legs are manufactured and proof tested at Lift-It Manufacturing. It is important for you to consider if you require a non-adjustable lifting chain sling or an adjustable rigging chain sling bridle. Master links and masterlinks with subassemblies are used as top lifting fixtures. Alloy coupling links and chain sling couplers similar to hammerloks and lok-a-loy coupling links are used to connect the lifting chain sling legs to the oblong, top link. A vast selection of chain sling hooks is available to fit most every application. We can provide custom made fittings as components in custom made chain sling bridles. Sling hooks with half links, eye sling hooks with recessed latches, foundry hooks, eye grab hooks, clevis grab hooks and sliding choker hooks for chain slings are stocked for the immediate shipment of your wire chain bridles and chain sling assemblies. Eye type self-locking hooks with grip latches and eye type self-locking hooks with bronze bushings allow for the hook to rotate while under load are also readily available. Some applications require an alloy weld on hook. Alloy weld on hooks are available from 3/4 ton to 15 ton capacities.<br />For a complete overview of the most popular lifting chain sling and assemblies in single leg, double leg, triple leg and quad leg designs see pages 185-186-187-188 in our Resource Guide. You will also see Endless Basket Slings and Double Endless Basket Slings, as well as adjustable and non-adjustable chain rigging slings.</p> <p>Another novel approach to adjustable chain slings comes in the form of a Slingmax® chain sling saddle ring. Chain sling saddle rings provide quick adjustment and are more economical, lighter and more versatile than conventional adjustable chain sling assemblies. Single slot rings are used for single leg and double leg lifting chain sling configurations. The double slot chain saddle ring is used for triple and quad leg rigging chain slings.</p> <p>It is important to realize that chain slings can be damaged and can fail resulting in injury, death and/or property damage. It is extremely important that sling users are trained in proper use and inspection techniques. We offer training opportunities at our Learning Center in Pomona, CA on a monthly basis and encourage all sling users to read and understand the warnings that accompany all our rigging gear, hoisting equipment and/or industrial lifting slings.</p> <p>We take great pride in making available to you, AT NO CHARGE, the most complete and descriptive Rigging Resource Guide available. Several thousands of hours were spent creating it and many more tens of thousands of dollars were spent printing it. At nearly 4 Lbs. it costs an additional $5.00 to mail you a printed copy. You can download a copy from our web site. Our Rigging Resource Guide contains hundreds of pages of general and safety information for the users of nylon web slings, chain slings, polyester round slings, Twin-Path® high performance fiber slings, metal mesh slings, wire rope slings, hoists, shackles, swivel hoist rings, nets, tool bags, rope, fall prevention equipment, plate clamps, blocks and material handling equipment like spreader bars and lifting beams. Compare the multiple warning pages in the chain sling section and ask yourself one question, “Who do you really want making your heavy duty, industrial lifting slings?” Our table of contents section is larger than others entire catalog. Contact us at 800.377-5438 for a copy of the Lift-It Rigging Resource guide.</p> <p>Sling Chain Pricing<br />The steel market is a very volatile market for materials and therefore doesn’t allow us to add pricing to all our sling listings like the nylon slings, polyester round slings, or wire rope slings. Call our sales staff and we can provide you with the specification and pricing for your rigging slings. We can offer fixed pricing for an extended time. Please call toll free at 800-660-3585 and we will be happy to assist you.</p> <p>Our chain slings are custom made to meet your specifications, therefore all chain slings are non-returnable.<br />Lifting Chains &amp; Rigging Chain Configurations<br />Single Leg Chain Sling<br />A length of chain with fittings on each end used for lifting in a vertical hitch. This sling chain can be combined with unlimited fittings to suit your application.</p> <p>Double Leg Chain Sling<br />Two single leg chain slings joined by an oblong at the top. This lifting chain is rated for both legs to be used simultaneously at a 60 degree angle.</p> <p>3 Leg Chain Sling<br />Three single leg chain slings joined by a special oblong sub-assembly at the top of the lifting chains. Rated for lifting when legs are at 60 degree angles from the object.</p> <p>4 Leg Chain Sling<br />Four single leg chain sling assemblies joined by a sub-assembly at the top of the rigging chain. Rated to lift using all 4 legs at 60 degree angles.</p> <p>Basket Slings<br />This lifting chain is a loop of chain with both ends connected by an oblong at the top. This rigging chain is used to loop under the object to cradle and lift like a “basket”.</p> <p>Double Basket Sling<br />Two loops of chain with all four sling chain ends connected attached to an oblong. Used to cradle a load with the sling loops spread apart for additional balance.</p> <p>Single Adjustable Chain Sling<br />An overhead lifting chain with one single leg sling and an additional shorter leg with a grab hook. This allows you to slide the longer lifting chain’s links into the grab hook to shorten the length when needed.</p> <p>Double Adjustable Chain Sling<br />This double leg chain sling has two additional shorter legs with grab hooks. Links from the longer sling chain can slide into the grab hooks to adjust the primary lifting chains to the appopriate length for your load.</p> <p>Endless Basket Sling<br />An endless loop of chain with an oblong through it allowing that allows the lfting chain to rotate through the oblong freely.</p> <p>Double Endless Basket Sling<br />Two endless loops of chain connected at the top of the overhead lifting chain assembly by an oblong. Chain moves freely through the oblong but allows for better load balance across the two legs.</p> <p>Endless Chain<br />Simply an endless loop of chain used for lifting. No oblong is included.</p> <p>Sling Hooks<br />Slip Sling Hook<br />A large throat hook used primarily at the ends of wire rope and chain slings. Usually self-locking to avoid disconnect.</p> <p>Grab Sling Hook<br />A small throat hook that attached to the chain by sliding over the chain inbetween links. This hook locks into place by ‘grabbing’ the chain and will not slide along the chain.</p> <p>Foundry Hooks<br />An EXTRA large throat hook used in unique situations that require a larger opening to manage loads.</p> <p>Self-Locking Sling Hook<br />A self locking sling hook actually pivots in the middle and locks when lifting pressure is applied. This hook cannot be opened while unit is lifted with your overhead lifting chains.</p> <p>Oblong Master Link<br />The oblong master link is an oblong shaped ring used at the top of wire rope and chain slings.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:14 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/multi-leg-bridle-slings-educational-series Multi-Leg Bridle Slings Educational Series <p>Bridle slings made from polyester and nylon web slings are a great device for handling loads with fixed lifting points.<br />Bridle slings are also referred to as Multi-leg Bridle slings, Bridle assemblies, Sling Bridle assemblies, Hardware Bridle slings, Web Sling Bridles or type 10 slings.</p> <p>Any Bridle sling features three component parts: a top lifting fixture, connector fittings at the bottom and web straps that join the top lifting fixture to the bottom connection points. Most of the bridle slings we manufacture for the crane and rigging industry feature an oblong style master link. Another very viable option is the master link with sub-assemblies. The master link with sub-assemblies is particularly advantageous for bridle sling assemblies that feature more than two or three legs (depending upon the connection point width). Nylon web sling legs can be eye and eye or an endless configuration lifting sling. A big advantage endless nylon web slings have over Eye &amp; Eye lifting slings is that connection and load points can be rotated. We also offer a complete line of polyester roundsling bridle assemblies which are strictly endless in configuration. The bottom connection point to the load for web sling bridles can be done by attaching rigging hooks or master links. Likewise anchor shackles or fabric eyes can also be supplied.</p> <p>Nylon web sling bridles are inherently lighter and easier to use than chain sling bridles or wire rope sling bridles.<br />Web Sling bridles can be made in single leg sling, double leg bridle sling, triple leg bridle sling or four leg bridle sling designs. Recently, we were tasked with providing a custom bridle sling assembly for a large nuclear facility which had EIGHT legs. In this design we featured a 2-1/2 inch master link with sub-assemblies and legs made from polyester round slings. Custom made sling assemblies are done on a regular basis at Lift-It Manufacturing. Another good example of a custom web sling is the Tool bag bridle sling used by the wind power and generation industry to connect a lift line to the tool bag.</p> <p>Nylon web sling bridle capacities are based upon many factors. Some, but not all are:<br />1) Web sling bridle legs are the same length.<br />2) Nylon sling bridle legs are attached at the same horizontal plane.<br />3) The center of gravity is equidistant from the lifting slings that make up the bridle assembly.<br />4) The sling to load angle is the same for all the nylon strap legs.</p> <p>For more information on the effects of sling to load angle please refer to the Lift-It Resource Guide</p> <p>If conditions other than these apply, a qualified person must determine the specific requirements and select a bridle sling assembly with suitable characteristics for the application.</p> <p>Webbing sling bridles have taken on wide popularity of use in recent years and we have always provided web sling bridles that go above and beyond minimum strength requirements. Other important design characteristics must be taken into consideration. A picture is worth a thousand words, so please view a real life example of great bridle slings and bridle slings that are just flat ugly. Details are available by viewing page 66 in the Lift-It Resource Guide</p> <p>The Lift-It web sling bridle mentioned in the link above features a 2 inch diameter master link. Brand ”X” used a 1-1/2 inch Crosby master link. The Crosby master link is certainly strong enough to support the four nylon lifting sling legs, each of which has a vertical capacity of 11,400 pounds. The problem is obvious; the oblong master link is too small. When you combine the undersized link with the way the eyes were tapered in the Brand “X” bridle assembly, the less than desirable effects are magnified. The Lift-It web sling bridle features sling eyes that are tapered to 1-1/2 inches in width. You’ll also notice the eyes in the Lift-It Bridle assembly are protected at the bearing point of the eye and eye slings. Brand “X” folded the 4 inch material in half to save time and maximize his profit margins, resulting in sling eyes that are 2 inches wide. Brand “X” also did not attach protection to the bearing points of the nylon straps.</p> <p>Simply stated the Brand “X” bridle is not just bad, it’s ugly and typifies an old expression, “Putting 10 pounds of stuff into a 7 pound bag!”<br />Not only does the Lift-It nylon web sling bridle feature larger, more expensive hardware, but it is rated at LESS than the Brand “X” web strap bridle. Many manufacturers of nylon lifting sling bridles rate their four leg bridle sling assemblies by counting the strength of all four web sling legs. There is nothing patently wrong with this practice from a regulatory or recommended standards perspective. The rating for a Lift-It Four Leg Bridle sling is based upon THREE legs, not four. Some may say that we are overly cautious; others have said we’re “different”. When your safety is at stake, we’re happy to take the heat and the criticism. We have always believed that quality conscious web sling and rigging products users and purchasers, if educated will see our perspective.</p> <p>When ordering Web bridle slings, the length of the lifting sling bridle is specified as reach, which is the distance between the bearing points of the top oblong master link to the connection point on the bottom of the web sling leg. Consider using Web sling hooks instead of regular hoist hooks. Web sling hooks made by Crosby feature a “Flat-Straight” bearing surface for the web strap. Hoist hooks have a round bearing surface that reduces nylon lifting sling efficiency as the web sling or polyester round sling bunches up on the diameter of the rigging hook eye. You probably have already surmised that when we supply the regular hoist hooks as connector for our web sling bridles that they are oversized to compensate for the bunching that occurs and you are absolutely correct in your assumption.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:13 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/custom-lifting-slings-manufactured-to-your-specification Custom Lifting Slings Manufactured To Your Specification <p>Custom Lifting Slings are an opportunity that any progressive rigging products manufacturer should welcome. Unfortunately, some manufacturers take the perspective, “if it’s not in our catalog, then we can’t help you”. Aside being unimaginative this attitude does not help responsible sling users develop products or methods to handle and manipulate loads.<br />Lift-it Manufacturing welcomes any opportunity to provide our customers with satisfaction and solutions for unique applications. In developing custom lifting slings and custom lifting assemblies we work with the client in a partnership like arrangement. Based upon the customer’s application and valued input, our job is to fabricate a product that will meet the requirements of the application.<br />The customer must test and evaluate the special design sling in a set of non-consequence circumstances. One of many important goals will be to design and eliminate all known hazards and attempt to consider and mitigate unknown dangers. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the user to determine that the application of the product will not result in injury, death or property damage.<br />Some things you need to know when you embark upon a developmental process would be to consider the load and its characteristics, such as, but not limited to: weight, stability, dimensions, location of the center of gravity, attachment points, the need for sling protection, etc.<br />Other frequently asked questions that must be dealt with are:<br />What type of sling should be used?<br />What type of hitch should be employed?<br />How is load control going to be achieved?<br />Are there loose parts or components that could fall or shift?<br />Are there any limitations in overhead clearance and/or obstructions or hazards such as power lines?<br />Are there any chemical or environmental factors that need to be considered?<br />The above mentioned considerations cannot be considered to be a complete list as there are many other variables that need to be taken into account.<br />An example of the process that took place between the professionals at Lift-It Manufacturing working in conjunction with the safety professionals at Grant County PUD to develop a custom lifting sling to handle street light poles follows for your consideration.<br />The weight of the pole was one of the easier parts of the process, as was the selection of the specific sling type. A polyester, eye and eye web sling with half twist and tapered eyes was selected. The half twist eye was specifically chosen due to the fact that our customer wanted to handle the pole using a double wrap, choke hitch.</p> <p>Double wrap, choker hitches provide for a tighter choke hitch, resulting in full 360 degree contact with the load. A full wrap is taken around the load before choking the sling. You need to know that longer sling lengths are required when using double wrap choker hitches.<br />Once the sling type and sling hitch were determined, it was decided that an additional “friction” pad would be desirable to facilitate additional load control. Different types of rubber and neoprene were evaluated and eventually a “texturized” pad was selected.<br />In looking at the friction pad material, the experts at Lift-It developed labeling to inform sling users<br />that they must double wrap the pole and also ensure that the choker action must be between the sling body and sling eye. The friction pad at the point of choke could damage the sling eye and the pad must be against the pole for gripping.<br />Beyond these considerations it was pointed out to our customer that the initial evaluation process was done on a dry day with a specific type of pole. It was important for them to also evaluate the custom design sling in wet and icy conditions with different types and shapes of poles to ensure safe and efficient handling, irrespective of the handling conditions.<br />It may seem like a very long and drawn out process and there was a tremendous amount of effort expended by us and our customer. When it comes to safety, we do not take short cuts and neither did the professionals at Grant County PUD.<br />This is but one of many examples of the custom sling design capabilities at Lift-It Manufacturing. When you require a special application sling contact us and we will match your effort. Custom designed slings are a challenge, but the process should not be challenging or painful for you, our customer or potential client. A job done is worth doing right and we do not operate on the basis of, “It should work” or “it looks good on paper”. An old fashioned concept that still makes sense; we’ll work with you as a partner and invest our time and resources with you as long as you will make the commitment to evaluate and ultimately determine the adequacy of the custom design sling assembly. Sometimes old fashioned is very nice.<br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:11 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/how-to-properly-select-industrial-crane-slings-and-what-you-must-know-when-using-them How To Properly Select Industrial Crane Slings and what you MUST know when using them. <!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <p>There are primarily six basic types of industrial Crane Slings that riggers use to lift and manipulate materials. All six sling types can be found in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Sling Safety Standard, B30.9. They are: chain slings, wire rope slings, metal mesh slings, synthetic rope slings, web slings and roundslings.</p> <p>There is no single sling that will accomplish every task, even if you are told that by those that market a specific sling type.&nbsp;&nbsp;All slings have certain unique advantages, as well as limitations. Two formidable limitations for synthetic slings are susceptibility to damage by cutting and abrasion and damage by heat.</p> <p>All sling users must be trained in the selection and use of industrial crane slings.&nbsp;&nbsp;They must also know how to inspect the rigging and be aware of hazards, such as chemical and environmental damage, as well as knowing proper storage conditions.&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the first considerations for sling users is the selection of the specific sling type.&nbsp;&nbsp;Consideration must be given to the nature of the load, how it will be rigged, contact and ambient temperatures, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other important considerations can be found in the Lift-It Rigging Resource Guide or at our web site under the category of Lift Planning and Evaluation.&nbsp;&nbsp;While this article and the listing of considerations on our web site provides many important points, neither can provide all of the variables that responsible riggers need to consider. Simply stated, the rigger must select the best sling type to successfully handle the load, echoing the old adage, “use the right tool for the right job”.</p> <p>Metal rigging slings made from chain, wire rope and metal mesh are more robust than synthetic slings and are more durable.&nbsp;&nbsp;Metal rigging slings can withstand higher temperature exposure than synthetic slings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chain slings and wire rope slings with a wire core can be used at temperatures not to exceed 400 degrees (F). Uncoated wire mesh slings can be used at temperatures not to exceed 550 degrees (F).&nbsp;</p> <p>Chain slings feature many options that allow sling users to easily adjust the length of the sling. However, durability and adjustability come with some drawbacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Metal slings are much heavier than synthetic slings and some will not use chain slings as they feel they are too difficult to inspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sling inspection training will dispel that notion as an upside of the durability for metal slings allows the sling user or inspector to approve or remove metal type slings, based upon specific, quantitative removal from service criteria. Synthetic sling users or inspectors on the other hand must remove slings that exhibit even slight damage as there is zero tolerance for defects.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Sling selection must be based upon the type of load, weight and configuration of lift (choker, vertical or basket). It is important to realize that the same sling has different capacities for each specific hitch.</p> <p>Other important considerations must be taken into account to successfully lift and control the load.&nbsp;&nbsp;Does the sling length result in a large or small angle of lift?&nbsp;&nbsp;The sling angle is the angle that is formed between the top of the load and leg of the sling. Sling angles affect all rigging and as the angle “flattens out” or becomes smaller the tension on the sling increases dramatically.&nbsp;&nbsp;Slings with adequate capacity to lift a given amount of weight have been broken because of a lack of understanding of sling angles and the resulting tension that develops. Sling users must also adjust the choker capacity for slings when the angle of choke (which is different than the angle for slings used in vertical, basket or bridle configurations as described above) is less than 120 degrees.</p> <p>Sling users must rig to the center of gravity (COG), which is the “balance” point of the load.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another way to understand the center of gravity is that is the point where the load weight is concentrated.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Much like water, the COG will always seek its lowest point and unless restrained will always end up directly under the lifting fixture.</p> <p>Consideration must also be given to the nature and composition of the load.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Does the load have enough structural stability to withstand crushing or compression, based upon the sling type and the area(s) where the sling contact occurs? Are the attachment points strong enough to ensure integrity during the lifting or material handling application?</p> <p>Another important consideration would be to determine if the sling will require protection based upon what could be a damaging edge or surface.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some think that industrial crane slings made from wire rope, chain or wire mesh do not need to be protected and&nbsp;that is simply not true.&nbsp;&nbsp;All slings must be protected with materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction to prevent damage which may result in sling failure. A load edge does not have to be “razor” sharp to result in sling damage.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sling failure has profound consequences: property damage, serious injury and/or death. Sling protection is available from responsible sling manufacturers who are interested in more than just the sling sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact the experts at Lift-It Manufacturing for information on sling protection that was designed and tested to withstand the forces of tension and compression and also features tagging information that is important for proper, protection usage.</p> <p>Even if the best sling protection is used, if the sling is not rigged properly the protection as well as the sling may become damaged.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rigging at excessive angles or attaching slings to objects that are wet or slippery can result in NON POSITIVE SLING TO LOAD ENGAGEMENT.&nbsp;&nbsp;Simply stated, the sling skips over the load edge or the load skips through the sling.&nbsp;&nbsp;This unplanned movement can be deadly. Load control in warm handling conditions may be entirely different than realized when handling the same exact load, in exactly the same fashion in frozen conditions.</p> <p>&nbsp;Rigging loads with any type of industrial crane sling in any circumstance requires forethought and planning. We always encourage our sling safety trainees to plan their work and work their plan.<br />It is too late to come up with a rigging plan when the load is in the air. One must consider, ahead of time, if the load has a clear path and will not become snagged.&nbsp;&nbsp;Consideration must also be given to an emergency or contingency set down area, before the lift is made.</p> <p><a name="_GoBack"></a>At the end of the day, sling users must act responsibly to ensure their safety and the safety of others.<br />Sling users should never be under, on, near or in the “strike” zone.<br />Sling users must know what the load weighs and select slings with adequate capacity given the hitch and tension that develops in all rigging activities.<br />Sling users must never use a damaged sling.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sling protection must be readily available.<br />Slings must be inspected before each use by competent individuals.<br />Lastly, sling users must control the load at all times.&nbsp;<br /><br /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:10 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/rigging-safety-training-provided-by-lift-it-manufacturing International Rigging Safety Training provided by Lift-It Mfg. <!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Michael J. Gelskey, Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc. presented two workshops for the EPRI 2013 Generation European Workshop in Rome, Italy. Mr. Gelskey presented an early morning session titled, Rigging for Success and another session in the afternoon that detailed Industry, Association and Regulatory Updates from the American rigging perspective.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Delegates from four continents attended the presentations and were enthused and extremely complimentary in their post conference evaluations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Mr. Gelskey remarked, “Thankfully, the attendees were far more advanced in their <a name="_GoBack"></a>language skills than most of my United States students as the majority of the European attendees are bi-lingual.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The one resounding comment that was received from the participants of both sessions was the passion Mike Gelskey has in presenting topics that will enable the attendees to make a difference in the lives of those they are tasked with protecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Gelskey comments, “Long before it was fashionable or profitable, I would travel anywhere at my own expense to present sling and rigging training for anyone that would have me. Now, training is very much in vogue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My goal has always been to inspire and help my students leave with a new found perspective on the direct correlation that exists between rigging right and going home at night.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first of many international presentations, Mr. Gelskey will follow up the European presentations with on site, sling and rigging training in the Dominican Republic and Australia. Gelskey remarks, “Translation services will be necessary for my students in the Dominican Republic and what would normally be an eight hour presentation will end up being a 20 hour presentation over two days. “</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc. provides quality rigging to discriminating sling and rigging customers throughout the world and now offers on-site, international training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Monthly events are presented at the Lift-it Learning Center in Pomona, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Contact Michelle Brown, Conference Coordinator at 909.469-2251 or view the details at <a href="http://www.lift-it.com">www.lift-it.com</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-04-16-04.33.48.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-04-16-04.33.48-300x225.jpg" alt="2013-04-16 04.33.48" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:2 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/nylon-web-slings-spray-painting-guidance Nylon Web Slings Spray Painting Guidance <p>I recently received a letter from a genteleman regarding nylon web slings and spray painting on the nylon web sling for marking purposes. My answer to the question is posted in my reply letter back to him. You can read my response below:</p> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1374163877255_2656">It was a pleasure meeting you at the EPRI conference.&nbsp; It was an honor to have you attend our factory training sessions and thank you for your participation in asking a very important question.</div> <p>The issue of spray painting nylon web slings is different than the issue of marking&nbsp; nylon lifting slings or polyester roundslings&nbsp;with felt&nbsp;marker pens.</p> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1374163877255_2687">Felt&nbsp;marker pens have been used extensively for over forty years by the&nbsp;fabricators of nylon straps.&nbsp; I had queried a group of&nbsp; nylon sling and tie down fabricators at the 35th Annual Conference of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association, held in Newport, RI.&nbsp;There was 75 people representing at least 50 different fabricators&nbsp;and not one could&nbsp;recall any incident where the ink of a marker pen was the root cause for a synthetic rigging sling or web tie down failure. We have previously written articles and have&nbsp;information on our web site relative to the use of marker pens on synthetic slings.The use of spray paint on&nbsp;polyester and nylon slings is an entirely different matter.&nbsp; A polyester&nbsp;or nylon sling is generally painted to indicate ownership or that a periodic inspection has been performed.&nbsp; The chemical ingredients of the paint can be harmful to the synthetic rigging sling.&nbsp; In addition to the chemical degradation, the paint can penetrate and solidify within the web sling fibers or inside the individual strands of the polyester round sling, impeding the designed performance of the&nbsp;lifting&nbsp;fibers&nbsp;used in the lifting slings by the crane and&nbsp;rigging industries.</div> <p>We have inspected lifting&nbsp;slings that were used to handle freshly painted, microwave tower sections that were literally stiff as boards after the paint had hardened and dried.&nbsp; While this is an extreme case, the solution was an easy one.&nbsp; During my&nbsp; sling safety presentation to the National Association of Tower Erectors, I suggested the use of fire hose to prevent the absorption of the paint by the nylon&nbsp;lifting slings.</p> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1374163877255_2733">There are much better ways to identify rigging sling ownership or to indicate that&nbsp;a sling inspection has been done.&nbsp; Nylon&nbsp;sling fabricators can easily attach a color&nbsp;patch to many, if not all synthetic rigging products. At Lift-It Manufacturing, we generally mount the color patch near the sling identification tag.&nbsp; In addition, we&nbsp;make custom sling tags which indicate company or crew ownership.&nbsp; Heavy duty slings and cargo lifting nets&nbsp;can have custom sling tags attached boldly displaying, PROPERTY OF PEMEX or PROPERTY OF DEHYDRATION CREW 7.&nbsp; These tags are sewn directly&nbsp;to the lifting&nbsp;sling or roundsling cover and are very difficult to remove.&nbsp; The tag attachment is far superior to stenciling or marker pen which can easily be covered over.</div> <p>Sling inspection can be easily identified by either a sling inspection tag which is attached directly to the web sling, round sling or tie down assembly. Sling inspection tags contain monthly, quarterly or annual information that the inspector&nbsp; either marks on the sling tag or punches out to indicate that the sling is in an acceptable condition.</p> <p>Another solution to visually&nbsp;indicate sling safety inspections is the use of a Lift-It Inspection Loop. A small piece of webbing is folded in half and inserted under the edge of the sling tag as the tag is attached to the lifting sling. The Inspection Loop provides an attachment point for colorized zip ties which indicate the month, quarter or year of the inspection. The above mentioned solutions can be found on our web site&nbsp;or by viewing page 54 of our&nbsp;Rigging Resource Guide and are far superior to painting, stenciling or using electrical tape of different colors.&nbsp; Electrical tape when removed can damage the outer fibers of polyester lifting slings and nylon web slings.</p> <p>The use of metal tags on synthetic&nbsp; rigging slings can be dangerous as the tag could become hung up, resulting in sling damage as the aircraft cable used to attach the metal tag to the lifting sling cuts or abrades the nylon web or polyester sling fibers.&nbsp; Damage to the synthetic lifting sling can also occur when aircraft cable is attached snuggly to the sling eye or the sling body.</p> <p>We hope that you find this information useful in protecting the lives of those that use industrial lifting slings for any application.&nbsp; Please consider attending the sling safety training we offer at the Lift-It Learning Center in Pomona, CA. We present rigger training, sling inspection training and also provide sling classes for NCCCO preparatory training.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1374163877255_2744">Have a great weekend and know that we are ready to help you with solutions to problems, compliance issues and yes, we also sell rigging!</div> <p>All the best, Mike <a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:6 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/hoisting-rigging-crane-user-group-tour-lift-it-manufacturing Hoisting, Rigging & Crane User Group Tour Lift-It Manufacturing <!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">The 2013 EPRI- Hoisting, Rigging &amp; Crane User Group Meeting and Workshop was held in Long Beach, CA and featured a field trip to Lift-It® Manufacturing Company, Inc. Over 65 attendees were part of the plant tour and workshop that featured an educational session, as well as a several fabrication demonstrations.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Michael J. Gelskey, Jr. welcomed the group outside the factory and took one of the two groups on the factory tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The tour featured fabrication demonstrations of web, round and Twin-Path® Extra slings. An overview of the Lift-It® ISO: AS9100C quality control system, material traceability and final inspection were also presented. The highlight of the tour was destruction testing of slings which had been produced for the tour attendees.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Simultaneously, Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. was presenting a Rigging Standards and Regulatory Compliance update in the Lift-It® Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Attendees were updated on recent developments in the OSHA sling safety standards, ASME sling and hardware consensus standards and the Recommended Standard Specifications of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In addition, a report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy on sling accidents resulting from the lack of sling protection or inadequate protection was also provided.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Michael Gelskey, Sr. remarked, “We were extremely pleased to be selected and truly appreciated the many favorable comments received about our operation and our people. “</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Dequoy R.M<a name="_GoBack"></a>. Weaver also presented an interactive, educational session on Synthetic Sling Inspection during the regular meeting. The attendees were presented with sling inspection system information, removal from service criteria and sling inspection techniques.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mike Gelskey, Jr. stated, “It was great to see old friends and to welcome new ones into the Lift-It® Family. It was a dream come true to have the backbone of the nuclear power industry visit our home.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The day concluded with an Appreciation Dinner hosted by Lift-It® for the participants at Parker’s Light House in Long Beach, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The event was held in the Queensview Steakhouse which has breathtaking views of the Queen Mary and the Port of Long Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The night ended at 9:00 PM after the group enjoyed sumptuous cuisine and libations.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Lift-It® Manufacturing Company is a leader in the supply of quality rigging, worldwide for discriminating customers who know there is no substitute for quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Lift-It® celebrates 34 years of service to the sling and rigging industry and provides world class education for sling riggers and inspectors at the Lift-It® Learning Center in Pomona, CA or onsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>For more information on Lift-It® visit <a href="http://www.lift-it.com">www.lift-it.com</a> or contact them at 909.469-2251.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DSC020662.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-168" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DSC020662-300x225.jpg" alt="DSC02066(2)" width="300" height="225" /></a> <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-169" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo3-300x225.jpg" alt="photo3" width="300" height="225" /></a><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:1 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-manufacturing-ceo-mike-gelskey-sr-featured-speaker-at-web-sling-and-tie-down-association-event Lift-It Manufacturing CEO, Mike Gelskey Sr., featured speaker at Web Sling and Tie Down Association event <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr., Past President of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) presented the details of a fatality resulting from the use of a damaged sling at the Fall 2012 meeting of the WSTDA held in Minneapolis, MN. The presentation explored the circumstances of the unfortunate and premature death of Rodney Armstrong Guy, a 32 year old lineman.&nbsp; Rodney Guy was killed at 2:15 PM on March 20, 1992 during a clipping operation of a 500kV transmission line in Rio Vista, CA. The sling had been used for 33 months and twice previously the very day Rodney was killed. Several factors lead to his death. The sling was severely overloaded as it was dynamically loaded to 14,000 lbs. as the line was clipped into the insulator.&nbsp; The sling work load limit was 8860 Lbs.&nbsp; In addition to the sling overload, there was no advance calculation done to determine the work load requirement. The sling was also severely UV degraded.&nbsp; A nylon sling continually exposed to sources of ultraviolet light for periods ranging from 12-30 months may lose 40 to 60% of original strength. The sling was severely damaged and either the damage was ignored or the sling was not inspected prior to use. While making presentations in Mandan, North Dakota Mike Gelskey met Mr. Vince Smith, who was working with Rodney the day he was killed.&nbsp; Mr. Smith provided Gelskey with a picture of Rodney and eerily the sling that snapped can be seen in its extremely distressed state in the background. The sling separated at the exact midpoint , in a straight line propelling the block into Rodney’s chest, killing him instantly as a result of blunt trauma to chest and abdomen. The damaged $40 sling could have been replaced after a 40 mile drive to West Sacramento. 40 miles, 40 dollars and proper training is all it would&nbsp; have taken for Rodney&nbsp; to enjoy Grandchildren at this point in his life. The members of the WSTDA expressed their appreciation for Gelskey’s&nbsp; presentation.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:24 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/michael-j-gelskey-lift-it-mfg-ceo-featured-as-wind-power-engineering-and-development-person-of-influence Michael J. Gelskey, Lift-It Mfg. CEO, featured as Wind Power Engineering and Development Person of Influence <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_1956">Mr. Michael J. Gelskey, Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc. was featured in the May&nbsp;issue of Wind Power Engineering and Development as a Person of Influence.To see the article in its entirety please visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.windpowerengineering-digital.com/windpowerengineering/june_2013/m2/Page.action?pg=('69')">Wind Power Engineering-Lift-It Mfg.</a> Mr. Gelskey's passion is accident prevention training .</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_1954">He&nbsp;has presented sling and rigging safety classes for the past thirty-two years and has the distinction of presenting at the AWEA Operations and Maintenance Safety Conference on multiple occasions.&nbsp;His energy is contagious as he inspires&nbsp;audiences in plush conference rooms or in wind farm&nbsp;job trailers with a quest for excellence that does not allow for compromise. Mr. Gelskey comments, "Fatalities, injuries and&nbsp;the destruction of property&nbsp;can be&nbsp;the consequences of improper rigging and/or inspection. Another contributing factor is risky behavior that does not result in the successful completion of&nbsp;any task."&nbsp; What began a simple two hour "awareness" presentations has developed into multiple day learning&nbsp;experiences.&nbsp; Sling and rigging training classes have&nbsp;been presented for some of the industry leaders in the Wind Power industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The owners of D.H. Blattner and White Construction&nbsp;invested hundreds of thousands of&nbsp;dollars in the people they employ and are tasked with protecting. Not all companies are as conscientious and their investment has&nbsp;resulted in substantial returns making them the best in the industry.</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2191"></div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_1802">Sling&nbsp;and Rigging safety classes can be extremely bad or extremely effective.&nbsp; The Lift-It sling safety program is based upon education that prevents accidents by transferring knowledge and skills in a dynamic and interactive format.&nbsp; The sole objective of any training mission&nbsp;is to change attitudes, which results in behavior modification.&nbsp; Improved awareness and an&nbsp;aversion&nbsp;to risky behavior are developed as training candidates&nbsp;come to the conclusion that only they can make a difference by accepting responsibility for their own actions.</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_1922"></div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2192">One of the most popular programs which is an extension of the sling user training and sling inspection training available from Lift-It Manufacturing is the Train-the-Trainer, professional development program.</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2193">Not your basic, Train-the-Trainer program, which regurgitates&nbsp;a course outline, the&nbsp;Trainer Program available from Lift-It&nbsp;provides skills and "behind the scene" ingredients to make candidates more dynamic and effective.</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2194"></div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2195">These presentation skills and techniques will make attendees more effective in presentations on any subject matter. Mike Krupa, a retired military trainer and now a professional trainer the oil exploration industry commented at of our safety training session for trainers, "Gelskey, I was not real excited about attending your three day Trainer Program, it's probably the&nbsp;26th such program&nbsp;I have attended,&nbsp;but I have to say one thing, where the heck were yo thirty years ago! "</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2196"></div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2197">Another dream come true&nbsp;was realized when in June 2012, the Lift-It Learning Center was made operational. A 2500 sq. ft. state of the art training facility with thousands of display articles is&nbsp;located at corporate headquarters in Pomona, CA.&nbsp;Monthly learning experiences are presented. Sling user training, sling inspection training and NCCCO Rigger Level 1 and&nbsp;Level 2 preparatory training are offered on a regular basis.&nbsp;To view the 2013 Training Schedule, please visit the <a href="http://www.lift-it.com/pdf/Lift-It-2013-Training-Flyer.pdf">Lift-It Rigging and Sling Safety Training </a>schedule.</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2198"></div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370888041134_2199">Anyone can present&nbsp;sling training, rigging classes, or sling inspection safety classes, but can they inspire and&nbsp;facilitate change? The biggest differences between the many free sling safety classes that are available and the rigging safety training provided by Lift-It is that our students do not catch up on well deserved rest they deserve. Our students&nbsp;leave the learning&nbsp;experience educated, enthused and energized ( in a good way!).&nbsp; "I challenge my students to make a difference and to look inwards to determine where the changes should begin. Our training doesn't just help people pass a test. Our training gives our students&nbsp;a new perspective and provides sling and rigging safety techniques that can be employed daily at their jobs, even&nbsp;benefiting them when they are off the clock."</div> urn:store:1:blog:post:23 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/web-slings-what-is-the-recommended-dd Web Slings-What is the recommended D/d? <p>The single, most popular question asked at our training is, “What is the recommended D/d for web slings?”</p> <p>D/d is a well-known consideration for wire rope slings, where&nbsp;“D”&nbsp;represents the Diameter of the object the sling contacts and&nbsp;“d”&nbsp;represents the diameter of the wire rope sling.&nbsp; If a 1 Inch diameter wire rope sling is used in a basket hitch around a 25 Inch Diameter object, a&nbsp;25/1(D/d) results and the wire rope sling has full basket capacity.&nbsp; Conversely, if the same 1 inch diameter wire rope sling is used on an 8 inch diameter object, resulting in an 8/1 D/d, the wire rope sling loses efficiency and the basket capacity must be reduced by 16%.</p> <p>The same efficiencies apply to roundslings as there are prescribed usage diameters recommended by the Web Sling and Tie Down Association and many manufacturers, including Lift-It.</p> <p>The translation of D/d from wire rope slings ends with round slings and does not transfer to web slings. To have a D/d, one would need a “d” and with web slings there is no diameter. If there were a D/d concern with web slings, it would have been realized years ago when some manufacturers were using 3/8” steel plate thicknesses for basket and choker fittings.&nbsp; Currently we use ½” thickness fittings which enable us to justify rated capacities.&nbsp; In this application one would not have a D/d application, but rather a T/t scenario whereby “T” would represent the thickness of the fitting and “t” would represent the thickness of the web.</p> <p>It is important that fittings used in connection points are adequately strong and spatially correct.&nbsp; Sometimes adequately strong fittings or connection points are not spatially correct and result in far too much sling being crammed into a space that is not correct.&nbsp; This application may result in bunching which reduces sling efficiency and capacity.&nbsp; Consideration must be given to hardware and load connection points. In addition, consideration must also be given to the relationship between collection hardware such as masterlinks or shackles and the individual slings placed in them to form bridle hitches.&nbsp; Again too much “stuff” in an undersized link or shackle can result in loss of assembly strength.</p> <p>Attached are pictures which illustrate a 75% rule we promote in our Synthetic Rigging Training.</p> <p>Depicted are 3 shackles with overall widths, 75% of the overall width, which we will refer to as the effective inside width and the corresponding web widths which would be optimal for the three scenarios. If smaller, alloy shackles of adequate strength are used, the webbing edges can become damaged and sling efficiency is lowered due to the bunching and edge loading of the webbing.<br />Simply stated, webbing edges that ride “high in the saddle” take loading first and disproportionally, while the midsection of the webbing “rides low in the saddle” and is not loaded to the same degree.</p> <p>Also attached are pictures which depicts a 1-1/2” masterlink which is sufficiently strong for the four legs, but entirely too small.&nbsp; Also depicted is our replacement bridle which features a 2 inch masterlink.<br />The 2 inch masterlink has an overall width of 8 inches.&nbsp; Applying the 75% rule, 6 inches would be the effective inside width and is adequate for the four sling eyes, each measuring 1-1/2 inches in width.</p> <p>Unfortunately when you deal with others, you may need to educate them on proper spatial relationships.&nbsp; You will need to do this to ensure the receipt and use of the best possible sling assembly.</p> <p>You deserve the best!</p> <p>Michael Gelskey Sr.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Spatial Relationships</strong></p> <p>Bunching Reduces Sling Efficiency</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-106" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture1-231x300.jpg" alt="Picture1" width="231" height="300" /></a><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-107" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture2-241x300.jpg" alt="Picture2" width="241" height="300" /></a></p> <p><strong>10 lbs. of stuff in a 7 Lbs. bag?</strong></p> <p><strong>Fierce!</strong></p> <p>2” Masterlink</p> <p>1-1/2” Eye Width<br />Protection at Bearing</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture3.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-111" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture3-261x300.png" alt="Picture3" width="261" height="300" /></a></p> <p><strong>Ugly!</strong></p> <p>1-1/2” Masterlink</p> <p>2” Eye Width<br />No Protection</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture4.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-112" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture4-261x300.png" alt="Picture4" width="261" height="300" /></a></p> <p><strong>The 75% Rule</strong></p> <p>4.75 Ton<br />2.00” O.A. Width<br />2.00 x .75 = 1.5 in</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture5.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-114" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture5-186x300.png" alt="Picture5" width="186" height="300" /></a></p> <p>8.5 Ton<br />2.50” O.A. Width<br />2.50 x .75 = 1.88 in</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture6.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture6-175x300.png" alt="Picture6" width="175" height="300" /></a></p> <p>9.5 Ton<br />2.75” O.A. Width 2.75 x .75 = 2.06</p> <p><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture7.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-116" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture7-162x300.png" alt="Picture7" width="162" height="300" /></a><br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:22 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/new-lift-it-manufacturing-learning-center-open-for-riggingrigger-training New Lift-It Manufacturing Learning Center Open for Rigging/Rigger Training <p><strong>Lift-It Manufacturing</strong>, a worldwide leader in the supply of quality rigging and training, is proud to announce the opening of a new Learning Center at company headquarters in Pomona, CA.&nbsp; The state of the art facility features the latest in technology to provide for multi-media presentations and webinars.&nbsp; The 40 seat, 2000 sq. ft., facility has hundreds of samples which were generously donated by the quality leaders in the rigging industry. <strong>Mike Gelskey, Sr.,</strong> Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing comments, “The new facility and particularly the new training center is a dream come true.&nbsp; Our presenters can’t believe the world class setting they enjoy as instructors and our students, many of whom have been involved in training for decades remark that they have never seen anything that could compare.” Lift-It® is the Western Regional Center for the <strong>Rigging Institute</strong> with campuses established in all major western cities. Gelskey remarks,” Our association with Rigging Institute is a mutually beneficial one and our training clients benefit with instant access to quality training. We offer a full spectrum of training and will develop custom programs to suit our clients’ needs”. <a href="http://lift-it.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lift-It Manufacturing </a>celebrates 34 years of service to the rigging industry, this September by providing quality rigging and training.&nbsp; M.J.Gelskey Sr. remarks, “We provided training long, long before it was fashionable. It is nice to see that training has become in vogue. &nbsp;Riggers need to go home to their loved ones and effective training is one of the many ingredients which makes it possible.” <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lift-it-rigger-training-center.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-101" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lift-it-rigger-training-center-300x85.jpg" alt="lift-it-rigger training-center" width="300" height="85" /></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:21 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/red-core-safety-yarns-china-sling-alert Red Core "Safety" Yarns-China Sling Alert <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2150"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2149"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2150"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2149">We sent information relative to the China Sling alert and the deceptive practices many of you</div> </div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2147"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2142">have been subjected to. The image of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic should have struck a cord.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2185"> <p>Already false statements about the alert are being made. The alert has to do with WEB slings. The fact that a WEB sling does or does not contain red core yarns does not determine the country of origin. Roundslings without red tracer yarns are not necessarily import.WHEN YOU DEAL WITH ETHICAL MANUFACTURERS THAT UNDERSTAND AND COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL LABELING REQUIREMENTS, YOU CAN DETERMINE THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN BY LOOKING AT THE REQUIRED MARKING.</p> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2189">Our Rigging Resource Guide includes information&nbsp;as a basis for a proper understanding of Red Core Yarns, NOT Red Core “Safety” Yarns. If you do not have our 500 page, Rigging Resource Guide, please contact us and it will be sent.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2192">For additional information on red core yarns visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/have-the-right-perspective-for-red-core-yarns-in-web-slings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.lift-it.com/blog/have-the-right-perspective-for-red-core-yarns-in-web-slings/</a></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2195">Consider training sling users,&nbsp;<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2194">safety and training&nbsp;professionals</span>&nbsp;by enrolling them in the upcoming events at our Pomona, CA Learning Center.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2198">Details for our Learning Center events and on site training can be found at&nbsp;<a title="http://www.lift-it.com/" href="http://www.lift-it.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.lift-it.com</a><br />Sling users should not leave ANY training session with the impression that if they see red, they’re going to be dead.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Don’t wait until it’s too late, take corrective action, NOW!</div> </div> <blockquote id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2196"> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2201"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2200">Sincerely,</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2203"> <div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362157299711_2202">Michael J. Gelskey, Sr.<br />Chief Executive Officer</div> </div> </blockquote> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> </div> </div> urn:store:1:blog:post:20 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/custom-industrial-lifting-sling-made-for-the-crane-and-rigging-business Custom Industrial Lifting Sling made for the Crane and Rigging Business <p>For Immediate Release The design and fabrication experts at Lift-It Manufacturing have set another milestone in what could be considered the largest, synthetic bridle fabricated.&nbsp; The 108 ton rated bridle featured a 5 inch diameter masterlink.&nbsp; The link weighs 516 Lbs. and was selected to support and collect the two high capacity slings. The sling legs are high performance, Twin-Path® Extra Slings featuring K-Spec® high performance fiber. Spatial and pressure calculations were done in the design development stages by Mike Gelskey, Jr. and the sling was sold to Kennedy Wire Rope, Corpus Christi, TX.&nbsp; Lift-It CEO and founder, Michael Gelskey, Sr. remarked, “I am extremely proud of our team in completing this assembly.&nbsp; I have been in the rigging business for 40 years and have never seen a 5 inch masterlink.&nbsp; When they say everything is big in Texas, they are not kidding”.&nbsp; Lift-it Manufacturing is a worldwide leader in the supply of quality rigging and rigging training for 34 years. For more information contact Mike Gelskey, Jr. at 909.469-2251 or visit <a href="http://www.lift-it.com">www.lift-it.com</a> <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Custom-Industrial-Lifting-Sling.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-92" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Custom-Industrial-Lifting-Sling-300x224.jpg" alt="Custom Industrial Lifting Sling" width="300" height="224" /></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:19 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/polyester-sling-alert Polyester Sling Alert <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The China Sling incident has gone viral as we have received the information from every major market segment of the industrial sling and rigging world.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is no surprise to us as we have made our customers and students aware of the deception that has been going on for years! If you have not seen the news, please do not hesitate and click on&nbsp;<a title="http://www.liftworksinc.com/pdf/Polyester_Sling_Alert.pdf" href="http://www.liftworksinc.com/pdf/Polyester_Sling_Alert.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this link</a>&nbsp;now for more information!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>When sling purchases are made solely on the basis of price, the low bid option will always be the successful bidder. Strategic alliance partners and large catalog supply companies who are driven by the obsession to be the successful low bidder, while maximizing profit margins will generally opt for a foreign option. There is nothing patently wrong with a foreign product as long as it meets the requirements of the purchaser.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What is patently wrong, illegal and immoral is when manufacturers and importers cut off the “Made in China” tags or a web sling is made in America with Chinese webbing, and the sling is not labeled, “Made in China”. This is the legal requirement for the marking of the country of origin as detailed in 19 CFR 134.11</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The red core yarn incident should send a strong signal which is emblematic of far more significant issues. This is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg and are you going to keep rearranging the deck cars on the Titanic?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Consider working with someone you know and trust.<br />Consider working with someone that is your partner.<br />Consider working with someone that is knowledgeable.<br />Consider working with someone that provides 24/7/365 service.<br />Consider working with someone that has technical expertise.<br />Consider working with someone that is a problem solver.<br />Consider working with a rigging supplier that has an audited quality management system.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Safety Professionals at the Hanford test site had slings “sneak” into their facility from a large, domestic “catalog” supply company. We have provided training for them. They asked questions and it took the “catalog” supply company three weeks to admit the slings were Chinese products.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Don’t be hesitant to ask questions and if you don’t like the answers you’re getting….consider working with us.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Please&nbsp;<a title="http://www.liftworksinc.com/pdf/Lift-It_Chinese_Perspective.pdf" href="http://www.liftworksinc.com/pdf/Lift-It_Chinese_Perspective.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>&nbsp;as this will help you put things into their proper perspective.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to be of service.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Team Lift-It</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">ogle+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:15 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/extra-large-industrial-cargo-net-goes-to-refinery Extra Large Industrial Cargo Net goes to Refinery <p><a title="Lift-It Manufacturing" href="http://www.lift-it.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lift-It Manufacturing</strong></a>, a leading supplier of <strong>slings</strong> and <strong>rigging</strong>, has once again achieved a production milestone, supplying its largest <strong>cargo net </strong>to date.</p> <p><a href="http://wireropeexchange.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/lift-it-cargo-net.jpg"><img title="Lift-It cargo net" src="http://wireropeexchange.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/lift-it-cargo-net.jpg?w=150&amp;h=112" alt="" width="150" height="112" /></a></p> <p>Lift-It’s latest and largest cargo net. Previously, the company’s largest heavy-duty cargo nets measured 25 feet by 25 feet, and were used to lift a 50,000-pound artifact in the Hawaiian Islands. More recently, a refinery in Trinidad and Tobago presented Lift-It’s experts with an even more substantial challenge: a 34-foot by 34-foot <strong>Barrier Net</strong> which, when completed, included 29 pounds of thread! The company also provided <strong>tie-down assemblies</strong> for the <strong>Orion Lunar Mission</strong>. The tie-down assemblies featured high-performance <strong>webbing</strong> and supported the inflatable bags that absorbed the impact of the landing. To receive Lift-It’s new <strong>500-page Resource Guide</strong> and view the details of upcoming training opportunities and other custom-designed products, visit <a href="http://www.lift-it.com/">www.lift-it.com</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:12 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lifting-sling-safety-presentation-for-websling-and-tiedown-association Lifting Sling Safety Presentation for Web Sling and Tie Down Association <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr., Past President of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) presented the details of a fatality resulting from the use of a damaged sling at the Fall 2012 meeting of the WSTDA held in Minneapolis, MN. The presentation explored the circumstances of the unfortunate and premature death of Rodney Armstrong Guy, a 32 year old lineman.&nbsp; Rodney Guy was killed at 2:15 PM on March 20, 1992 during a clipping operation of a 500kV transmission line in Rio Vista, CA. The sling had been used for 33 months and twice previously the very day Rodney was killed. Several factors lead to his death. The sling was severely overloaded as it was dynamically loaded to 14,000 lbs. as the line was clipped into the insulator.&nbsp; The sling work load limit was 8860 Lbs.&nbsp; In addition to the sling overload, there was no advance calculation done to determine the work load requirement. The sling was also severely UV degraded.&nbsp; A nylon sling continually exposed to sources of ultraviolet light for periods ranging from 12-30 months may lose 40 to 60% of original strength. The sling was severely damaged and either the damage was ignored or the sling was not inspected prior to use. While making presentations in Mandan, North Dakota Mike Gelskey met Mr. Vince Smith, who was working with Rodney the day he was killed.&nbsp; Mr. Smith provided Gelskey with a picture of Rodney and eerily the sling that snapped can be seen in its extremely distressed state in the background. The sling separated at the exact midpoint , in a straight line propelling the block into Rodney’s chest, killing him instantly as a result of blunt trauma to chest and abdomen. The damaged $40 sling could have been replaced after a 40 mile drive to West Sacramento. 40 miles, 40 dollars and proper training is all it would&nbsp; have taken for Rodney&nbsp; to enjoy Grandchildren at this point in his life. The members of the WSTDA expressed their appreciation for Gelskey’s&nbsp; presentation. <a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rodney-F.-Guy.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-75" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rodney-F.-Guy-250x300.jpg" alt="Rodney F. Guy" width="250" height="300" /></a> Mr. Rodney Armstrong Guy</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:9 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/lift-it-mfg-co-ceo-mike-gelskey-sr-speaks-at-canadian-crane-and-rigging-conference Lift-It Mfg. Co. CEO, Mike Gelskey, Sr. speaks at Canadian Crane and Rigging Conference <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr., Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing presented on September 13<sup>th</sup> and 14th at the 2012 Canadian Crane and Rigging Conference, sponsored by Maximum Capacity Media&nbsp; in Edmonton, Canada. Mr. Gelskey presented a Management and Safety Overview of Regulatory, Industry and Association Developments in the sling and rigging industry. Pertinent OSHA changes requiring tags for wire rope slings and shackle markings, as well as CFR1926.1400, subpart cc, training requirements for riggers in the fall zone were presented. Upcoming changes in the ASME B30.9 Sling Safety Standard for slings were also highlighted. The most notable changes are the removal of all capacity tables from the volume establishing the primacy of the information on the sling tag. In addition, the need for competent rigging and sling hardware inspection will also be a new area of responsibility addressed in the new, 2013 volume. Developments from the Web Sing and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) were covered by Gelskey, who served as president of the association for the past three years.&nbsp; The Web Sling Technical Committee has made significant progress in the review of the 2013 Recommended Standard Specification for Web Slings (WS-1). The Roundsling Technical Committee is also developing a Recommended Standard Specification for High Performance Roundslings. The second presentation focused on Synthetic Sling Inspection.&nbsp; Gelskey covered inspection systems, techniques, removal from service criteria and recordkeeping requirements. Ten exhibits were available for examination and volunteers opined on the condition of the slings from the perspective that the sling was either fit for use or should be removed from service.&nbsp; Not all exhibits were damaged.&nbsp; The opinions were sometimes not correct. Gelskey had presented at the inaugural 2011 Canadian Crane and Rigging Conference and has been contacted to present at the upcoming 2013 event. &nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:8 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/have-the-right-perspective-for-red-core-yarns-in-web-slings Have the right perspective for red core yarns in web slings <p>Many web sling manufacturers have referred to Red Core Yarns as Red Core “WARNING” yarns. The red core “WARNING” yarns should simply be referred to as Red Core Yarns.</p> <p>“Warning” should be omitted as there is a false sense of security and an unreasonable emphasis placed on the red core yarns by uneducated sling users and inspectors.&nbsp;&nbsp; Red Core Yarns are not a viable inspection device. By the time the red core yarns become visible; the sling should be rejected and removed from service.</p> <p>Lift-It Manufacturing utilizes webbing with red core yarns to fabricate our web slings. &nbsp;Some manufacturers do not use sling webbing with red core yarns and use commercial equivalents of “Mil-Spec” or tie down webbing that does not employ red core yarns. All slings should be fabricated from sling webbing, not tie down webbing. ASME B30.9-Chapter 5- Web Slings stipulates the use of sling webbing for slings and references the Web Sling and Tie Down Association, Recommended Standard Specification, Webbing for Synthetic Web Slings, WSTDA-WB-1.</p> <p>It is important that sling fabricators and safety professionals put the proper emphasis on the red yarns. In our Resource Guide, warning sheets and warning tags, the red core yarns are listed, but are placed at the end of the removal from service criteria.</p> <p>Too much emphasis is put on the singular importance of the red core yarns in the inspection process. How many seasoned sling users can repeat the limerick that unfortunately is a part of our safety culture, “If I see red, I’m going to be dead”? &nbsp;So the reverse logic, “If I don’t see red, I get to go home and watch “Dancing with the Stars” makes sense?</p> <p>When taken in isolation red core yarns will not serve the user or the rigging industry well. We have always instructed responsible sling users and inspectors that if the red core yarns are visible do not use the sling. However, slings can become extremely dirty, making red core yarns difficult to see. &nbsp;Serious damage can also be present without red core yarns being visible. Our advice has always been, if there is damage WITHOUT the red core yarns visible, DO NOT USE THE SLING.</p> <p>Safety and training professionals MUST send out the correct message by providing the proper perspective on red core yarns. Students must not leave a training session with the idea that all they need to look for and be aware of are red core yarns. Get your mind right and visit our web site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lift-it.com/">http://www.lift-it.com</a>&nbsp;and obtain additional information on the right perspective to have when it comes to sling webbing vs. tie down webbing and the overrated value placed on red core yarns.</p> <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr.</p> <p>CEO-Lift-It Mfg.</p> <div id="attachment_24" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Picture2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-24" title="Damaged Lifting Sling" src="https://www.lift-it.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Picture2-300x111.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="111" /></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Damaged Lifting Sling</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;<br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:7 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/synthetic-slings-and-father-time Synthetic Slings and Father Time <p>In the 1990’s an article was published stating that synthetic slings lose strength, strictly as a function of time. The article relayed the results of destruction testing performed on USED slings taken from power plants, line trucks, paper mills and other locations. A majority of the slings broke below the necessary value to justify a 5/1 design factor.</p> <p>The less than scientific conclusion of the testing was that synthetic slings lose strength as a function of time and I was mentioned, possibly to add credence to the incorrect conclusion by making the point that if shelf life were not valid, “Gelskey would not put the date of manufacture on all slings made by his company”.</p> <p>The logic was incorrect on any levels. The so called experiment lacked many basic elements necessary to prove the hypothesis under what is accepted as the scientific method.&nbsp;The independent variable, time was not isolated.</p> <p>The sample slings pulled to destruction in this study had been subjected to use, weather and environmental factors. They could have been exposed to overloading, chemical and ultraviolet degradation or perhaps were not manufactured properly.</p> <p>We date and individually serialize our slings so that users and inspectors will have an exact idea of how long our slings have been in service. Our rationale was that despite appearances slings may be removed from service and destroyed as many are very inexpensive when compared to the cost of the items they handle. Simply stated, sling retirement may be an excellent form of cheap insurance.</p> <p>When slings are stored for extended periods in conditions that do not exactly duplicate optimum storage conditions, sling strength may be affected. An example would be when slings in Eastern Washington (desert conditions) are stored outside in metal containers. Those slings can take on spring steel qualities and recoil to assume their wrapped condition. After many years slings stored inside under conditions that DO NOT EXACTLY DUPLICATE optimal storage conditions, can begin to exhibit a gummy or sticky finish.</p> <p>We have on a couple of occasions pulled slings to destruction that were kept in optimum storage conditions: dry, dark, cool and free of mechanical and environmental damage. In all instances the slings broke above the 5/1 design factor. Both slings were approximately eleven years old.</p> <p>The salient difference in the destruction tests done by Lift-It and the testing done in the early 90’s is that the Lift-It test slings were never used for lifting or subjected to any form of degradation. Under these conditions, the independent variable, time was indeed isolated.</p> <p>In the early nineties when the non-scientific study results were published I was assailed by webbing and yarn producers. &nbsp;I was informed on more than one occasion that synthetic fibers DO NOT lose strength strictly as a function of time. On one particular occasion, a fiber producer was extremely profane in making this exact point to me based upon extensive testing in oxidation chambers. Those results contradicted the incorrect conclusion made in the article.</p> <p>Time, as independent variable, DOES NOT affect sling strength. Other variables such as storage and exposure to chemical, environmental and mechanical forms of damage do affect sling strength. Always remember, sling design factors apply only to newly manufactured and unused slings.</p> <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr.</p> <p>CEO-Lift-It Mfg.</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:5 https://www.lift-it.com/blog/ink-markers-lift-it-synthetic-slings Ink Markers-Lift-It Mfg. Synthetic Slings <p>The effect of active chemical exposure on synthetics is an important consideration for responsible sling users, safety and training professionals. Many aspects must be considered. Time, temperature and concentration are primary considerations, but certainly not the only factors.</p> <p>For many years we have relied upon yarn engineers at various webbing mills where synthetic materials are made into webbing products for their opinions on application or suitability.&nbsp; The problem with those opinions is that they generally DO NOT take into account the cumulative effect of multiple chemicals and/or unique environmental factors. We also surveyed more than one mill to determine if all responses would be similar.</p> <p>Beyond chemical compatibility, other factors must also be considered.&nbsp; An example would be if certain chemical agents are exposed to moisture or UV light resulting in degradation that would not be realized in dry or dark applications.</p> <p>For these reasons we have always encouraged sling users to work with their suppliers and ultimately their manufacturers to determine the effects of exposure in real world settings with adequate controls to validate results through the scientific method.</p> <p>There is new vigor in the concern for the effects of marking pen ink commonly used in the fabrication of synthetic products and sling safety.</p> <p>Years ago we presented our prime supplier at the time, Murdock Webbing with the MSDS for Sharpie Markers and their analysis revealed that nothing in the ingredients would be harmful to either nylon or polyester materials.</p> <p>Most recently at a Canadian Crane and Safety Conference, the issue was raised again when information from a marker manufacturer stated that Xylene could be harmful to synthetic materials.</p> <p>We contacted Avery Dennison, manufacturer of Marks-A-Lot markers and Newell- Rubbermaid, manufacturer of Sharpie markers and requested their assessment of the chemical effects of the marker ink ingredients on synthetic webbing.&nbsp; Given today’s global economy we attempted obtaining this information from phone contacts in foreign countries and given the litigious society we did not receive expedient responses. To date, the only response we have received is from Avery Dennison. Their representative stated Xylene was not an ingredient in their product and cited the legal jargon referencing the doctrines of implied and express warranties of merchantability and fitness.</p> <p>We also contacted three webbing manufacturers to obtain their opinion by providing MSDS information for both markers.&nbsp; We also asked that the effects of UV exposure combined with all chemical ingredients be taken into account to determine if the interaction would be deleterious. A summary follows:<strong> <br /></strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Webbing Mill No. 1</strong><br />“Based on the information supplied to us by Kordsa, Nylon has excellent resistance to Xylene.&nbsp; Polyester on the other hand is not resistant to Xylene.&nbsp;&nbsp; As far as the effects by adding UV exposure, I could find no information.&nbsp; We would only need to worry about the added effects of UV on Nylon”.</p> <p>(OK, Mr. Webbing Mill Manufacturer No. 1. You should purchase a copy of the WSTDA-UV study as UV degradation also affects polyester fibers!)</p> <p><strong>Webbing Mill No. 2</strong><br />“I couldn’t find any data supporting the combination with UV rays but what I did find says that Xylene is not harmful to polyester but it is harmful to nylon. Nylon will lose 10-20% of its strength after 10 hours and at a temperature of 282 F in combination with Xylene. Hope this helps. Sounds like polyester is the best bet for the application and it should be better for UV as well”.</p> <p>Follow up Question and reply for Web Mill No. 2:<br />Q: What was the concentration of the Xylene in your recommendation based upon?<br />A: “The concentration was 100% and this data was for yarn only. With a web being thicker, who knows?”</p> <p><strong>Webbing Mill No. 3<br /></strong>The quick answer is that as an organic solvent, Xylene is on the list of TOCs, so it is ‘harmful’ under certain circumstances.&nbsp; But it is a commonly used solvent, cleaning agent, etc. &nbsp;It is subject to photo-oxidation, with the production of by-products that are also chemically active. Polyester is not considered to be stable to Xylene even at 15C. So, if you had continuous contact with Xylene and polyester it would be an issue and would begin to break down the yarn in a short period of time. Polyamides (nylon) tend to have pretty good resistance to most aromatic hydrocarbon solvents at room temperatures so no issue there.</p> <p>Sharpie markers causing problems due to Xylene content in the ink is the point of the question. I would not expect the use of such a marking pen on an organic polymeric material under normal temperatures/light exposure to cause degradation of the polymeric material due to the Xylene content in the ink.&nbsp; The Xylene will evaporate very quickly upon making a mark with the pen so there will be no degradation.</p> <p>Most of this data is from the technical resource I use at Clemson’s textile school down the road from us. (Dr. Deborah Lickfield)</p> <p>Webbing Mill 1 and 2 respond with conflicting information: Webbing Mill 1 claims Nylon would be better resistant to the effects of Xylene, while Webbing Mill 2 opines that polyester would be a better fiber. If you are confused at this point, you should be!&nbsp; There seems to be some agreement between Webbing Mill 1 and 3 relative to the superiority of nylon to polyester with respect to Xylene exposure.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Lift-It Manufacturing has used Marks-a-Lot and Sharpie markers for nearly 33 years and has had not experienced a single incidence of sling failure as a result of exposure to the ink ingredients in the aforementioned markers.&nbsp; We have pulled thousands of slings to destruction in both new and aged states (10-15 year old slings) and obtained satisfactory results.</p> <p>In my involvement with Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA), I queried 50 manufacturers at the 30th&nbsp;Annual Meeting in Newport Rhode Island and no one had a single case to report relative to failure or incidence resulting from exposure of webbing to marker pen ink.</p> <p>I would also stipulate that my comments are made STRICTLY from the context of&nbsp;synthetic slings&nbsp;and DO NOT apply to marker pens used on fall prevention equipment, harnesses, etc.</p> <p>My comments also DO NOT apply to ALL marker pens, just the two previously mentioned brands.&nbsp; Other markers may contain different ingredients and entirely different results.</p> <p>From an assessment standpoint it would be impossible to determine the specific marker manufacturer and the specific ingredients if field personnel were marking products.&nbsp; If the marking is done to record inspection and testing there are far better ways to accomplish the objective: RFID, Inspection Loops, Non-Metallic Inspection Tags, etc.</p> <p>Responsible users need to contact their manufacturers for their assessment to determine the effects of the specific ink used on synthetic products.</p> <p>It was interesting to note that on the surface Xylene is a TOC (Toxic Organic Chemical), but that the evaporation process would need to be considered.&nbsp; It was also interesting to note that Mill No. 2 when queried replied that the analysis was based upon a 100% concentration and that Xylene penetration would be a function of material thickness and resultant degradation.</p> <p>Based upon the information received from Webbing Mill No. 3, the testing done by Lift-it on&nbsp;unused, new and old slings, we can say that the ink used to mark slings manufactured by Lift-It does not degrade our synthetic slings.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Mike Gelskey, Sr.<br />Chief Executive Officer</p> <p><a href="https://plus.google.com/114902280586787082409?rel=author">View my Google+ Profile Here</a></p>