Warnings, Definitions and Cautions Governing the Purchase, Sale and Use of Chains, Wire Rope, Cable and Attachments

It is of the utmost importance that anyone using this catalog read and understand all warnings and other information listed.  All products are sold with the express understanding that the purchaser and/or user is thoroughly familiar with the correct application and safe use.  Use all products properly, in a safe manner and for the application for which they were intended.  LYNX CHAIN & CABLE assumes no responsibility for the use or misapplication of any product sold by this company.  Responsibility for design and use decisions rest with the user.

Failure to follow warnings and instructions may result in serious injury or death.

WORKING LOAD LIMIT

NEVER EXCEED THE WORKING LOAD LIMIT. The working Load Limit (WLL) or Safe Working Load (SWL) is the maximum load which should ever be applied to a product, even when the product is new and when the load in uniformly applied straight line pull only. Avoid side loading. All ratings are based upon usual environmental conditions, and consideration must be given to unusual conditions such as extreme high or low temperatures, chemical solutions or vapors, prolonged immersion in salt water, etc. Such conditions or high-risk applications may necessitate reducing the Working Load Limit.

Working Load Limit will not apply if the product has been welded or otherwise modified.

It should also be noted that it is the responsibility of the ultimate user to determine a Working Load Limit for each application.

MATCHING OF COMPONENTS

Make certain that components such as hooks, links or shackles, etc. used with wire rope (or chain or cordage) are of suitable material size and strength to provide adequate safety protection. Attachments must be properly installed and must have a Working Load Limit at least equal to the product with which they are used

RAISED LOADS

Keep out from under a raised load. Take notice of the recommendation from the National Safety Council Accident Prevention Manual concerning all lifting operations:

All employees working at cranes or hoists or assisting in hooking or arranging a load should be instructed to keep out from under the load. From a safety standpoint, one factor is paramount: Conduct all lifting operations in such a manner, that if there were an equipment failure, no personnel would be injured. This means keep out from under a raised load and keep out of the line of force of any load.

Do not operate a load over people. Do not ride on loads.

SHOCK LOADS

Avoid impacting, jerking or swinging of load as the Working Load Limit could be exceeded and the Working Load Limit will not apply. A shock load is generally significantly greater than the static load. Avoid shock loads.

REMEMBER: ANY PRODUCT WILL BREAK IF ABUSED, MISUSED, OVERUSED OR NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY. Such breaks can cause loads to fall or swing out of control, possibly resulting in serious injury or death as well as major property damage.

REGULAR INSPECTIONS

Inspect products regularly for visible damage, cracks, wear, elongation, rust, etc. Protect all products from corrosion. The need for periodic inspections cannot be over emphasized. No product can keep operating at its rated capacity indefinitely. Periodic inspections help determine when to replace a product and reduce rigging hazards. Keep inspection records to help pinpoint problems and to ensure periodic inspection intervals.

Due to the diversity of the products involved and uses to which they can put, it would be counter productive to make blanket recommendations for inspection procedures and frequency. Best results will be achieved when qualified personnel base their decisions on information from rigging and engineering manuals and on experience from actual use in the field.

Frequency of inspection will depend on environmental conditions, application, storage of product prior to use, frequency of use, etc. When in doubt, inspect products prior to each use. Carefully check each item for wear, deformation, cracks or elongation-a sure sign of eminent failure. Immediately withdraw such items from service. Rust damage is another potential hazard. Destroy, rather than discard, items that have been judged defective. They might be used again by someone not aware of the hazard involved.