Inspections are about more than compliance. They protect crews, prevent downtime, and keep projects on schedule. When documentation is tight and issues are corrected early, audits go faster and lifts go smoother. Think of every inspection as scheduled risk reduction.
Why inspections matter
Professional rigging inspections give you a clear picture of equipment condition and provide audit-ready records for customers, insurers, and regulators. That combination of safety and paperwork is what keeps operations moving when reviews get serious.
The issues inspectors flag most
1) Corrosion on wire rope and hardware
Moisture, salt, and contaminants kick off rust on tags, pins, and strand valleys. Corrosion hides in crevices and accelerates wear, so inspectors look closely at those early “blooms” of rust. Prevention starts with material choice, lubrication, and storage that actually dries gear between shifts.
2) Broken wires, kinks, or deformation in cables
Flattened sections, birdcaging, or even a handful of broken wires can take a rope out of service. These are high-risk indicators because internal damage often travels farther than what you see on the surface. Pull anything suspect for evaluation before the next lift.
3) Improper or missing labels and documentation gaps
Unreadable capacity tags and missing IDs stall inspections and raise red flags for auditors. Inspectors need a clean tag, a traceable asset ID, and records that match what is on the hook. Digital systems like Tessalink make this easy to prove.
4) Worn or damaged slings, shackles, and hooks
Cut webbing, crushed fibers, bent pins, and tired latch springs are common reasons gear gets pulled. Inspectors also look for chronic side-loading or mismatched hardware that forces poor geometry. Replace borderline items and size shackles and hooks to the job.
5) Poor storage that shortens service life
Gear stored on hot concrete or wet ground deteriorates faster. Lack of ventilation traps moisture, and piles of unprotected slings invite abrasion. Elevate reels, use breathable sling bags, and keep racks covered and ventilated so equipment starts the day within spec.
Quick fixes that prevent failed inspections
- Give documentation the same attention as hardware. Tie every asset to photos and inspection history so you can show exactly when and how it was cleared for use. Tessalink-tracked records stand up to audits.
- Store gear like it matters. Covered, ventilated racks, elevated reels, and protective covers reduce corrosion and abrasion before they start.
- Refresh your sling mix and small hardware. Replace questionable items and add the sizes you constantly borrow so crews stop forcing misfits.
- Schedule testing alongside inspections. Load testing and, when appropriate, break testing verify capacity, validate repairs, and provide the documentation customers and compliance teams expect. Pair testing with your inspection cycle so reports are always current.
How to get inspection-day ready
- Walk your site a week before the inspection with a short checklist.
- Pull anything with rust, broken wires, questionable tags, or damaged latches.
- Update IDs and ensure each asset has a recent record you can retrieve quickly.
- Stage gear in clean, covered storage so inspectors can work efficiently.
- If you discover gaps, book an on-site inspection and testing window to close the loop.
Quick checklist
- No active corrosion on visible surfaces
- Wire rope free of broken wires, kinks, or deformation
- Tags readable and tied to a traceable asset ID
- Slings, shackles, and hooks free of cuts, crush, or bent parts
- Gear stored off the ground, covered, and ventilated
- Testing and inspection reports ready to share
Next step: Want to spot issues before the inspector does? Southwest Wire Rope provides on-site rigging inspections, load and break testing, and Tessalink-tracked reports that keep audits smooth. Start with our services, or book a pre-inspection check. For more maintenance tips, visit the blog.