Section 388. Rope requirements

A. Unless damage or deterioration is removed by cut-off, wire ropes shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exist:

1. The number of broken wires exceeds either:

a. Five percent of the total number of wires; or

b. Fifteen percent of the total number of wires within any strand;

2. On a regular lay rope, more than one broken wire in the valley between strands in one rope lay length;

3. A loss of more than one-third of the original diameter of the outer wire;

4. Rope deterioration from corrosion;

5. Distortion of the rope structure;

6. Heat damage from any source; or

7. Diameter reduction due to wear that exceeds 6.0% of the baseline diameter measurement;

B. Load end attachments.

1. Wire rope shall be attached to the load by a method that develops at least 80% of the nominal strength of the rope;

2. Except for terminations where use of other materials is a design feature, zinc (spelter) shall be used for socketing wire ropes. Design feature means either the manufacturer's original design or a design approved by a registered professional engineer; and

3. Load end attachment methods using splices are prohibited.

C. Drum end attachment. For drum end attachment, wire rope shall be replaced when there is:

1. More than one broken wire at an attachment;

2. Improper installation of an attachment;

3. Slippage at an attachment; or

4. Evidence of deterioration from corrosion at an attachment.

D. Wire rope attachments shall be replaced when cracked, deformed, or excessively worn.

E. Safety devices attached to hoist ropes shall be selected, installed, and maintained according to manufacturers' specifications to minimize internal corrosion, weakening and breaking of the hoist rope.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.