The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking.

Manila rope and manila rope slings.

Table G-1 in 1915.118 shall be used to determine the safe working load of various sizes of manila rope and manila rope slings at various angles, except that higher safe working loads are permissible when recommended by the manufacturer for specific, identifiable products, provided that a safety factor of not less than five (5) is maintained.

Wire rope and wire rope slings.

Tables G-2 through G-5 in 1915.118 shall be used to determine the safe working loads of various sizes and classifications of improved plow steel wire rope and wire rope slings with various types of terminals. For sizes, classifications and grades not included in these tables, the safe working load recommended by the manufacturer for specific, identifiable products shall be followed, provided that a safety factor of not less than five (5) is maintained.

Protruding ends of strands in splices on slings and bridles shall be covered or blunted.

Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes, Table G-6 in 1915.118 shall be used to determine the number and spacing of clips. The U-bolt shall be applied so that the "U" section is in contact with the dead end of the rope.

Wire rope shall not be secured by knots.

Chains and chain slings.

Tables G-7 and G-8 in 1915.118 shall be used to determine the working load limit of various sizes of wrought iron and alloy steel chains and chain slings, except that higher safe working loads are permissible when recommended by the manufacturer for specific, identifiable products.

All sling chains, including end fastenings, shall be given a visual inspection before being used on the job. A thorough inspection of all chains in use shall be made every 3 months. Each chain shall bear an indication of the month in which it was thoroughly inspected. The thorough inspection shall include inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length or stretch.

Interlink wear, not accompanied by stretch in excess of 5 percent, shall be noted and the chain removed from service when maximum allowable wear at any point of link, as indicated in Table G-9 in § 1915.118, has been reached.

Chain slings shall be removed from service when, due to stretch, the increase in length of a measured section exceeds five (5) percent; when a link is bent, twisted or otherwise damaged; or when raised scarfs or defective welds appear.

All repairs to chains shall be made under qualified supervision. Links or portions of the chain found to be defective as described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section shall be replaced by links having proper dimensions and made of material similar to that of the chain. Before repaired chains are returned to service, they shall be proof tested to the proof test load recommended by the manufacturer.

Wrought iron chains in constant use shall be annealed or normalized at intervals not exceeding six months when recommended by the manufacturer. The chain manufacturer shall be consulted for recommended procedures for annealing or normalizing. Alloy chains shall never be annealed.

A load shall not be lifted with a chain having a kink or knot in it. A chain shall not be shortened by bolting, wiring or knotting.

[67 FR 44543, July 3, 2002]