ALBAT: OSHA Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) Practice Exam

Regular, proactive checks are essential because rigging gear wears and can suffer damage from daily use, dynamic loads, and environmental conditions. Having a competent person inspect the equipment on a daily basis helps catch developing issues before a lift, reducing the risk of sudden equipment failure. During these daily checks, the inspector looks for signs such as bent or cracked hooks, deformed shackles, excessive wear on slings or wire rope, broken strands, damaged fences or latches, corrosion, missing tags, or other damage that could compromise strength. If any damage is found, the gear must be removed from service until it’s repaired or replaced and properly re-tagged. This daily inspection practice complements any pre-use or lift-specific checks, ensuring the rigging remains safe for ongoing operations.