The role of lanyards in load securing and stabilization: A guide to best practices

 Whether hoisting machinery, materials, or fabricated structures, safely securing loads during lifting operations is paramount. Lanyards play an essential yet often overlooked role in maintaining control and stability. As with all lifting equipment, following best practices with lanyards is crucial for risk mitigation.

What are lanyards and how are they used?

Lanyards, sometimes called strops or slings, are flexible cables or webbed assemblies with hooks, D-rings, or shackles on both ends. They attach loads to cranes, hoists, or other lifting tools to transfer weight during movements. Lanyards can be single-legged or multi-legged, with the latter providing redundancy. Lifting equipment manufacturers in UAE produce high-quality synthetic and wire rope lanyards for industries like construction, shipbuilding, and wind power.

Lanyard selection factors

Proper lanyard selection depends on several factors: the load weight, number of lift points, lifting geometry, and environmental conditions. Fibre or alloy construction suits different needs. Lifting equipment manufacturers help determine the optimal lanyard design rated for a given task. Lanyards should never be used for anything outside their working load limit (WLL), and damaged lanyards pose dangerous failure risks. 

Safe lanyard inspection and use

Lanyards deserve close inspection equal to other rigging gear like slings and shackles. Watch for cuts, abrasions, melted fibers, broken stitching, or corrosion that compromise strength. Color-coded lanyards indicate the inspection period. Green/new may be used until the first visual inspection when recorded yellow. Red/damaged lanyards must be destroyed. Tag lanyards with a rated capacity and inspection date. Position snatch blocks or increase lead angles to reduce potential shock loads on lanyards when slack is suddenly taken up.

Key considerations for load stabilization

Multiple lanyards in a basket configuration or strategic spreader bars help center loads for safer lifts by offsetting any uneven weight distribution. Lanyards should never be positioned at extreme angles that cause unnecessary tension on fibers or wire. Qualified riggers should visually monitor lifts, ready to adjust lanyard lengths if loads begin to sway dangerously due to environmental factors like wind gusts. Taking these stabilization precautions is paramount for incident-free lifting operations.

With diligent maintenance, inspection, and handling according to ratings, lanyards from trusted lifting equipment manufacturers in UAE provide an essential yet low-cost layer of protection for loads, cranes, and personnel during lifting activities. Their role in securing loads deserves recognition.

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