Posted By Jason Hough We are a steel stockholders and move steel bars around with chain slings. We have the slings inspected every 3months to cover LOLER requirements. All chains have a metal ID tag with unique id number and swl stamped on. we have around 200 chains in circulation. Does anybody know a good effective method of putting a label or such to indicate the chain has been inspected. Currently we have to check the id number against the LOLER report. Would like to have a system so people on the shop floor can be certain that each sling they use has been inspected. Many Thanks

Posted By Peter James Jason I worked in a fabrication shop with similar problems with control of lifting tackle. I tried many types of tags and labels but they all came off In the end we painted the ring with a colour code The current inspected code was well advertised and any not confroming were easily identified and removed from service to be inspected. This system proved effective. Hpoe it is of help Peter James

Posted By Jason Hough We as a company have tried tags and cable ties and even the rings they put on chickens legs! We cant seem to stop them from getting pulled off before the inspection cycle is complete. I will try paint any other ideas gretfully recieved Thanks

Posted By lewes Would painting the chains not hide any possible hidden blemishes or defects ? Just a thought as I know thats one of the reasons they dont like you painting step-ladders etc

Posted By Simon Heesom alternatively try Allianz-cornhill engineering services (at a cost). as this will discharge some of your duties by employing a competent person. they have a variety of methods for inspection and certification. normally by coloured tiewraps 6 monthly or coloured discs 12 monthly, if one comes off all you do is identify the lifting equipment from the serial number, match it against the inspection report to confirm that it is in date for examination, and attach a replacement tiewrap / disc. if you have an item that has escaped examination you put it in quarantine until the next inspection. ACE also have tag check manuals, pocket cards and control / quarantine posters to help you run a successful system. If you have lifting equipment that cannot be examined under normall requirements, they also offer a written scheme of examination system to extend the examination period (don't all go quoting regulations like sheep, its simply a service provided by an insurance company division, and I don't realy care anyway!) Lifting gear hire ltd (LGH) also have a system and they will even run your database in an online format. LGH also supply lifting equipment a reasonable cost, and they can conduct load testing / recertification. all solutions under one roof.

Posted By Christopher Kelly Incidentally do you use a crane or FLT? Sounds like you are using lifting equipment which you also use for lifting other items and are continually swapping tackle from item to item? If FLT you need an appropriate lifting point and shouldn't be hanging over the forks. I seem to remember many crane manufacturers used to manufacture special grabs for steel bars for use with cranes, suggest speak to Lloyds British or someone. Try to implement local control of tackle in the shop if you cannot centrally store and make someone responsible for it.