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.
Over the past 56 years, the rigging, overhead lifting and securement industries have changed dramatically. With the advancement of technology and digitization of data, alongside more capacity and power in today’s machines, the industry has reached a new level. Increased demand and economic pressures are pushing today’s rigging operations harder than ever before, and around-the-clock productivity has become the norm.
While the past six decades have ushered in sweeping changes, some things have remained the same. For that entire time, Southwest Wire Rope has remained a stalwart rigging equipment provider with a reputation for quality and service. We’ve been providing rigging inspections, testing, and the strongest wire rope on the market for years – and we have no intention of slowing down. Here’s how we continue to uphold and define industry standards.
Uncompromising Service and Testing
To ensure that each facility and piece of operating equipment is up to code, rigging inspections are required by regulators. At Southwest Wire Rope, we employ a team of certified inspectors that can investigate every aspect of a rig, from the heavy machinery down to the shackles. With attention to detail cultivated by hundreds of years of combined rigging experience, our inspection team offers industry-leading guidance and professional recommendations. Reporting from TESSALink asset management software adds to our comprehensive service offering.
In addition to routine inspections, the Southwest Wire Rope team also performed destructive (break) testing of up to 1.7 million pounds from two separate locations. Need field spooling? We provide on-site installation and removal of wire and synthetic ropes on drilling rigs, cranes and winches. Through our steadfast commitment to raising the bar, we make sure our clients are meeting and exceeding all industry requirements.
Strong and Reliable Equipment
At our core, we are rigging equipment providers, and we strive to strengthen our offerings and expertise on a daily basis. In 1983, we introduced our trademark proprietary brand of wire rope to the market, characterized by an iconic gold strand. Nearly 40 years later, “Gold Strand” wire rope is still recognized as the strongest and most reliable wire rope on the market.
Additionally, we have a complete offering of wire rope fittings, synthetic and round slings, chains, and other rigging hardware. We pride ourselves on being experts in the rigging equipment space, providing not only the tools to get the job done, but also the guidance to do it right.
But we don’t stop there. If one of our clients needs a skip pan, spreader bar, or other custom lifting device, we maintain a large inventory of heavy equipment for rent. We continue to reinforce excellence in all we do through the provision and outfitting of cutting-edge equipment solutions.
A Reputation for Excellence
Finally, we continue to sharpen our skills and cement our place in the rigging industry by defending our reputation as the top rigging equipment servicer and provider in the industry. With every rigging inspection we complete and every client request we field, we seize the opportunity to build upon decades of excellence and provide exceptional products and services. Our team never shrinks back from the challenge. On the contrary, we relish the ability to enter new projects with the weight of a 56-year reputation on our shoulders. The responsibility to uphold and further this legacy informs everything we do – from the largest repairs, to the smallest reports.
Tap into the Legacy with Southwest Wire Rope
Our team has been serving the needs of the rigging, overhead lifting, and securement industries with an unwavering dedication to quality and excellence for over half a century. If you’re searching for a rigging equipment supplier, or need your system inspected by a certified inspector, turn to the professionals at Southwest Wire Rope. Our experienced team can provide insights and recommendations for the type of wire rope, end fittings, hardware, and operational procedures that best suit your facilities and equipment. We look forward to answering your questions and forming a lasting partnership. For more information, browse our service offering.