Most rigging failures don’t start with a “bad lift.” They start with a missed inspection detail, a worn sling, a bent shackle, a latch that doesn’t close, a tag you can’t read, or hardware that’s been dragged through the mud too many times.
This guide gives you a field-ready rigging inspection checklist you can use before every lift, plus a printable version and a quick toolbox talk script.
When you’re ready to train your crew on rigging fundamentals, inspection, and lift planning, you can find your Crane & Rigging courses here:
A good inspection does two things:
Find damage that makes the gear unsafe
Confirm the gear matches the lift (capacity, configuration, environment)
If you can’t confidently answer “Is it safe?” and “Is it the right gear for this lift?” stop and fix it before anyone gets under load.
Look at the lift, then the rigging.
What’s the load weight (actual or best known)?
What’s the pick points and how will the load behave?
Any sharp edges, heat, chemicals, or concrete abrasion?
Any side-loading risk on hooks/shackles?
Any tight radius bends or choke configurations that reduce capacity?
Any wind, swing, blind spots, or crush zones?
This is where most “everything looked fine” incidents come from: rigging was fine, but it was wrong for the lift.
Check for “remove from service” red flags:
Cuts, tears, burns, melted fibers (synthetic)
Broken wires, kinks, birdcaging, crushed strands (wire rope)
Stretched, cracked, twisted, or damaged links (chain)
Exposed core, severe abrasion, embedded grit
Damaged end fittings (eyes, thimbles, hooks)
Knotting, improper splices, homemade repairs
Capacity check:
Tag/ID is present and readable (WLL/capacity, type, length)
Sling is appropriate for the environment (sharp edges, heat, chemicals)
Correct type for the lift (basket, vertical, choke implications)
Field tip: If the tag is missing or unreadable, the sling becomes a guessing game. Guessing has no place under load.
Look for:
Bent body, bow deformation, cracks, deep gouges
Pin damage (bent, worn, threads damaged)
Pin doesn’t seat fully or won’t tighten properly
Mismatched parts (pin from another shackle)
Evidence of side loading (wear patterns, distortion)
Fit check:
Correct size for the sling/hardware (no forcing, no prying)
Pin fully engaged and secured properly for the application
Look for:
Deformation (opening widened, twist)
Cracks, severe wear at the saddle
Latch missing, broken, or not closing fully
Signs of shock loading (damage, distortion)
Fit check:
Load sits in the bowl (not tip-loaded)
No side loading (pulling from the side)
Latch is not “load-bearing” (it’s a retaining device)
Look for:
Cracks, bends, distortion, heavy corrosion
Worn contact points and elongated holes
Homemade attachments or unverified modifications
Missing ID plates/tags on below-the-hook devices
Fit check:
Hardware matches the configuration (no forced angles, no binding)
Swivels rotate freely (if used), no grinding or sticking
Even perfect gear fails in bad setups.
Edges protected (corner protectors, softeners, padding)
Sling angles controlled (avoid steep angles that increase tension)
Load is balanced before lift
Clear communication method confirmed (signal person, radios)
Travel path clear, no one under the load
Pull rigging gear immediately if you see:
Missing/illegible tag or ID when capacity is unknown
Cracks, deformation, or bent hardware
Synthetic sling burns/melts/cuts
Wire rope kinks/birdcaging/crushing
Chain link cracks, stretching, severe wear
Hook latch missing or not functioning
Pins that don’t seat or damaged threads
Any rigging that’s been shock loaded or dropped from height
If your crew argues about what “damaged” means, that’s a training gap. Get everyone aligned with crane + rigging training here:
This is the quick “are we about to regret this?” check.
Weight confirmed (or worst-case known)
Pick points confirmed and rated (if applicable)
Correct rigging selected (capacity + configuration)
Edges protected and sling angle planned
Signal person assigned (one voice)
Clear swing radius / no-go zone set
Test lift planned (lift a few inches to confirm balance)
Today’s focus is rigging inspection before every lift. Most rigging incidents come from small problems that get ignored, damaged cords, missing tags, bent shackles, hooks without a working latch, or gear used outside its limits.
Here’s what we’re doing every lift:
Inspect slings for cuts, burns, broken wires, kinks, and missing tags.
Inspect shackles and pins: no bent bodies, no damaged threads, no mismatched pins.
Inspect hooks: no deformation and the latch must close.
Confirm the rigging matches the lift: capacity, angle, edges protected.
No one under the load. Ever.
If anything looks questionable, we stop and swap it out. No debate.
Title: Rigging Inspection Checklist (Pre-Lift)
Instructions: Check each item before the lift. Remove any damaged gear from service.
Slings
Tag/ID present and readable
No cuts, burns, tears (synthetic)
No kinks, birdcaging, crushing (wire rope)
No stretched/cracked links (chain)
End fittings undamaged
Correct sling type for the lift and environment
Shackles
Body not bent or distorted
Pin threads good; pin seats fully
No cracks, deep gouges, severe corrosion
Correct size and no side loading
Hooks
No twist/deformation/widened opening
No cracks or severe wear
Latch present and functional
Load will sit in the bowl (not tip loaded)
Hardware / Devices
No cracks, bends, elongated holes
IDs/tags present on devices (if applicable)
No homemade modifications
Setup
Edges protected
Sling angles planned/controlled
Signal person assigned
No-go zone established
Test lift planned (a few inches)
Result: PASS / FAIL
Action if FAIL: Remove from service and replace.
If you want a clean training sequence that fits most crews:
Crane and Derrick Safety Awareness for Construction (Eng/Spanish)
Bull Rigging (if your work includes heavy/complex rigging)
Advanced Rigging (advanced applications)
Browse all of Safety Evolution's Crane & Rigging courses here:
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