Time to replace our Lifting Shackles?
May 17, 2022 Article last updated on 19 July 2023
Lifting Shackles are commonly found, and being used extensively as primary connecting links in the industries involving rigging and lifting. Wear and tear may occur upon prolonged shackle usage in the long run.
Shackles are subjected to damages due to improper handling, or usages also. Under such circumstances, if these shackles in doubt are in continual usage, it may result in some unexpected failures, which may result in an accident in the workplace. Such scenario should be avoided at all cost.
Below picture shows a Bow-Screw Pin Shackle in use
REPLACEMENT CRITERION
So the question is how do we know if the lifting shackle still operation worthy?
Based on the Singapore Standards, SS343-3:2014 - Specification for lifting Gear - Part 3: Shackles , a list of replacement criteria is used to determine if we should take a shackle out for replacement.
We have extracted the information and listed them down below, in summary, for general references.
Details/ Indications of failure mode to check:
- Tag & Identification missing or illegible
- Indications of heat damage, weld spatter , arc strikes
- Cracks, nicks, gouges
- Bent, twisted, distorted, stretched, elongated, cracked, broken load-bearing components
- 10% reduction of dimension ( original/ catalogue) at any point around body / pin
- Incomplete pin engagement
- Excessive thread damage
- Evidence of unauthorized welding
- Visible damages or conditions that cause doubt for continual usage
If any of the above failures are found on the shackle, then it should be taken out of operation for replacement!
If you are in doubt of the checking criteria, feel free to call/ contact us for a quotation; our team of subject matter experts will assist on the inspection of your shackles/ lifting gears.
Our team can also assist in the MOM/ PE certification / recertification of your lifting gears if you requires such a service.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST -REJECT CRITERIA
Want to know more about lifting shackles? Check our previous post: GENERAL INFORMATION ON LIFTING SHACKLES
To check out Lifting Shackles provided by STL, refer to the link below:
LINK: STL Lifting Gears: LIFTING SHACKLES