Crane operations can be inherently complex and difficult, so having the right equipment is critical to the job going smoothly and safely. Here are some quick tips to selecting, and inspecting, the workhorses of a crane job – the slings. When selecting crane slings for a job, one of the key tasks to perform before you even get going is to inspect them. These things can really take a beating on a crane job, and, even though they are rated for more weight than we usually apply to them, it is critical to inspect them before every use.

Travis Vickerson, CTSP, QCL, is vice president of operations with Chippers, Inc., an accredited, 21-year TCIA member company with offices in Vermont and New Hampshire.