Ramsay Test Rigging and Material Handling — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A wire rope sling is rated at 2 tons in a single vertical hitch. When rigged as a basket hitch with both legs hanging straight vertical (90° from horizontal), what is the rated capacity of the lift?
- 1 ton
- 2 tons
- 3 tons
- 4 tons (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 4 tons
In a vertical basket hitch, the load is shared equally between two legs. Each leg can carry its full 2-ton rating, so total capacity = 2 × 2 = 4 tons. As the sling angle decreases from vertical, a derating factor applies.
Question 2: Per ASME B30.9, a wire rope sling must be removed from service when it has:
- Any surface rust visible on the outer wires
- Six or more randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay (Correct answer)
- A slight kink that can be straightened by hand
- Any contact with petroleum-based lubricants
Correct answer: Six or more randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay
ASME B30.9 specifies immediate removal when there are 6 or more randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or 3 or more broken wires in one strand of one rope lay. Surface rust alone is not an automatic disqualifier; a kink that cannot be straightened — not one that can — requires removal.
Question 3: What does the abbreviation WLL on rigging hardware mean?
- Wire Load Limit — maximum tension in any single wire strand
- Working Load Limit — maximum load the component may handle in normal service (Correct answer)
- Weighted Lift Level — the load's center-of-gravity height
- Wire Lock Length — minimum sling length for that hook size
Correct answer: Working Load Limit — maximum load the component may handle in normal service
WLL (Working Load Limit) is the maximum load a piece of rigging hardware is designed to support under normal, intended conditions. It already incorporates the design factor of safety; it is NOT the breaking strength.
Question 4: A chain hoist is designed to be used:
- At up to 125% of rated capacity in emergency situations
- For vertical lifting only — never for side-pulling or tip-pulling (Correct answer)
- With the load chain wrapped around the load to improve grip
- With the guard removed when working in confined spaces
Correct answer: For vertical lifting only — never for side-pulling or tip-pulling
Chain hoists are engineered for pure vertical loading. Side-pulling or tip-pulling creates off-axis forces that overload the hook, frame, and load chain in ways the hoist was not designed to handle, and can cause catastrophic failure.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a tagline during a crane or hoist lift?
- To share a portion of the load's weight with ground personnel
- To control the load's rotation and prevent uncontrolled swinging (Correct answer)
- To serve as a backup sling if the primary rigging fails
- To measure the hook height above the ground
Correct answer: To control the load's rotation and prevent uncontrolled swinging
Taglines are guide ropes that allow personnel to control a suspended load's orientation and prevent it from spinning or swinging into obstacles — without placing hands near the load or rigging. They do not bear the weight of the load.
Question 6: Before beginning any rigged lift, the rigger must first:
- Estimate load weight visually and proceed if it appears manageable
- Verify the exact load weight, inspect all rigging hardware, and confirm the lift plan with the team (Correct answer)
- Test stability by hoisting the load 6 inches and shaking it
- Clear the building of all other personnel before the lift begins
Correct answer: Verify the exact load weight, inspect all rigging hardware, and confirm the lift plan with the team
Pre-lift planning is a mandatory safety step: determine exact load weight and center of gravity, inspect all slings and hardware for defects, confirm the rigging configuration is appropriate, and communicate the plan to everyone involved. Guessing weight or skipping inspection are leading causes of rigging accidents.
Ramsay Test Rigging and Material Handling
A wire rope sling is rated at 2 tons in a single vertical hitch.
When rigged as a basket hitch with both legs hanging straight vertical (90° from horizontal), what is the rated capacity of the lift?