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. 

Rigging safety best practices have to change with the season. Inspection intervals, storage habits, and handling all need to be adjusted for winter. Gear failure in cold weather is often preventable when crews know what to watch for.

Key Takeaways: 

• Cold temperatures can drastically affect the quality and performance of gear. 
• Other winter elements, such as moisture, ice, and salt, can also affect materials and gear. They may cause damage or corrosion. 
• Adjusting gear maintenance and storage seasonally is crucial to keeping everything in working order.
• It’s important to know the elements to look out for as well as signs of damage in your equipment.

The Cold-Weather Effect

Freezing temps can have similar effects on different gear and materials. Here are a few examples: 

• Wire Rope and Chain: Low temperatures make metal more brittle and less forgiving. Wire rope and chain lose some flexibility, which means they do not bend and seat as smoothly under load. This can increase internal stress and speed up wear at contact points.
• Lubricants: Cold also affects lubricants. Grease and oil thicken, which can limit proper lubrication inside wire rope strands. This makes wire rope inspection even more crucial during the winter months.
• Synthetic Web Slings: Synthetic web slings can suffer from freezing temperatures, too. Webbing can stiffen, especially if it is already worn or saturated with moisture. A stiff sling does not conform well to a load, which can cause uneven loading and hidden damage. If your crews rely on web slings, it helps to understand how materials behave in cold weather and choose gear rated for the proper environments.

Risks That Accelerate Damage

Winter brings more than cold temperatures with it. Moisture, ice, and road salt can all create serious jobsite lifting hazards for rigging gear.

Water often works its way into wire rope strands and chain links. When temperatures drop, that moisture freezes and expands. This can force strands apart, crack internal lubrication, and start corrosion from the inside out.

Ice can also cause serious problems. Frozen hooks, latches, and shackles may not seat or close properly. Crews may try to force connections when parts are iced over, which can bend components or damage threads.

Finally, salt and de-icing chemicals speed up corrosion. Gear used near roads, bridges, or outdoor industrial sites often gets coated in salt spray. Without proper cleaning and drying, corrosion can quickly shorten service life.

Overlooked Checkpoints: Tips for Inspection

Winter conditions make it easier to miss problems. Dirt, frost, and gloves can hide damage that would be obvious in warmer weather. Here are a few tips when it comes to thoroughly inspecting your gear.

• Wire Rope Inspection: Pay close attention to areas near end fittings and where the rope bends over sheaves or hardware. Cold-stiffened rope may not show broken wires as clearly unless you take time to rotate and feel the strands.
• Chain Sling Inspection: Check for ice inside links and around master links and hooks. Ice buildup can hide cracks, wear, or stretched links. Always let gear warm and dry before doing a detailed inspection when possible.
• Synthetic Sling Inspection: Synthetic web slings need extra attention in winter. Stiff webbing can hide cuts, edge damage, and melted fibers. Flex the sling by hand to open up the weave and look at it closely under good lighting.

How to Adjust Maintenance and Storage Practices Seasonally

Winter storage matters more than many crews realize. Leaving gear in the back of a truck, even just overnight, can expose it to moisture, freezing temperatures, and other elements.

Store rigging in a dry, covered area whenever possible. Let wet gear dry before putting it back into service or long-term storage. This simple step slows corrosion and fiber damage.

Clean gear more often in winter. Rinse off salt and grime, then dry thoroughly. Re-lubricate wire rope and chain as needed so internal parts stay protected.

Handle gear with care when it is extremely cold. Avoid sudden shock loads, sharp bends, or dragging gear across frozen ground. Cold materials are less forgiving, and small abuses add up fast.

When Does Gear Need to Be Replaced?

Winter does not change the rules when it comes to removing gear from service, but it can speed up the process of damage. Knowing the signs of damaged wire rope and other gear is critical.

Signs of Damage

• Broken wires crushed areas, birdcaging, and heavy corrosion
• Kinks and sections that no longer lay straight
• Cuts, fraying, melted or hardened fibers, and broken stitching
• Discoloration or stiffness 
• Stretched links, cracks, gouges, and twisted components

Also, if a tag is missing or unreadable, the item should be removed from service. These checks are part of solid rigging safety best practices. They are even more important when winter conditions add extra stress to every lift.

It Pays to Be Proactive

Winter does not have to mean higher risk, but it does require a shift in how you care for your gear. Seasonal awareness and consistent inspections help stop small issues from turning into major failures.

Olsen Chain & Cable works with crews who face these conditions every year. If you want a set of experienced eyes on your lifting gear, schedule an inspection. The right guidance now can prevent downtime, damage, and injuries later.