Olsen Chain & Cable Blog

One of the most crucial questions on any jobsite revolves around equipment. Is this piece of gear still good, or is it time to pull it out of service? The answer isn’t always obvious. After all, lifting equipment is designed to handle tough conditions. But load stress, weather, abrasion, and daily handling take their toll.

Equipment failure is something that no crew wants to encounter, especially when it can be prevented. 90% of crane accidents are caused by human error, leading to roughly 42 fatalities every year. In most cases, the warning signs were there before the incident. They were just missed.

There’s a lot of confusion around load rating vs WLL (working load limit). The terms are printed on tags and spec sheets, they show up in quotes and purchase orders, and they’re often used interchangeably. But they do not mean the same thing.

Cold weather can be hard on lifting gear. Steel, fiber, and other materials can react to freezing temperatures and the winter elements. On busy jobsites, this can be easy to overlook. Winter rigging safety starts with understanding that your equipment does not perform the same in January as it does in July.

When it comes to inspections for lifting equipment, many teams mistakenly relate to lifting equipment inspection as a checkbox. Something you do once, file away, and move on. Other times, there is confusion around what’s mandatory and what practices are simply recommended.

When a vehicle is stuck or broken down, having the right equipment for the job makes all the difference. Tow straps and recovery straps are two common tools for these situations, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the distinctions between them is essential for safe and effective vehicle recovery.