There’s a punch line to an old joke that goes something like… "The hangman’s rope broke or I wouldn’t be here now.” In that case, the broken rope produced a happy ending. But, it also makes it clear that the sheriff or the vigilantes weren’t doing their jobs in caring for the rope or inspecting it before each use.
There are several types of rope on the market today, but it’s generally concluded that manila or nylon rope give the best uniform strength and service. Synthetic fiber ropes are growing in popularity for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being that they can be manufactured to fit the requirements of specific jobs.
Regardless of what type of rope you select and use, there are definite safety steps that should be taken in their use and storage.
Before putting a new rope into use, it should be thoroughly inspected for irregularities that might indicate possible degradation. The rope should be inspected over its entire length and should not be put into service if irregularities appear.
Once a rope is in service, it should be inspected every 30 days, and a lot more frequently if it is used under critical conditions, such as supporting scaffolding.
Inspection of rope should be very thorough and should cover every inch of the length. Some of the things to watch for are wear, cut or broken fibers, and abrasions. In addition, other danger signals are powdered fiber between strands, displacement of yarn or strands, variations in the size or roundness of strands, and rotting and discoloration of the rope.
Inner fibers should be examined, too. Untwisting the rope in several places can do this, and the inner fibers should be observed to make sure they are bright, clear and unspotted.
Manila or other natural fiber ropes should be taken out of service for critical jobs once they have been exposed to acids, as it is very difficult to determine acid damage through visual inspection.
Permanent damage to a natural fiber rope will result if it is loaded to over 50% of its breaking strength. A synthetic rope may be permanently damaged if loaded to over 65% of its breaking strength. This type of damage may be found through examining the inside fibers. The fibers will be broken into short lengths in proportion to amount of overload.
Strength of fibers may be estimated by scratching them with your fingernail. The fibers of poor strength will readily part. This test may also be used for chemical damage.
It is obvious that proper measures must be taken to keep rope in good condition. Don’t drag it on the floor, as this abrasive action could damage the fibers. Try to prevent your rope from kinking which puts added strain on the fibers.
Twisted rope should be put in balance; that is, it should retain the amount of twist it usually seeks when free. Proper twisting of either end of the rope can restore balance if it is lost through rotting loads or improper coiling.
Rope should not be secured over sharp edges. If it is necessary to use a sharp corner, place a pad between it and the rope. Proper sheaves or surface curvatures should be used so that a rope will not have to be bent sharply.
There are several precautions which must be taken with wet rope. It should not be used near electrical equipment or power lines. Wet rope should be thoroughly dried out to prevent deterioration. It should be hung up to dry or laid in a loose coil. In addition, never let wet rope freeze.
Storage of rope must be done under conditions that will not weaken it. It must be stored away from harmful fumes, chemicals, heat, moisture, and sunlight. Rodents may present a problem, too. A dry, well-ventilated storage place should be used, but the air should not be extremely dry. Rope stored in an atmosphere of acid or acid fumes will deteriorate rapidly. Dark brown or black spots on the rope are signs that this type of deterioration is taking place.
Soiled rope should not be stored before being cleaned. If it is covered with dirt, it can be hung up and sprayed with water. However, care should be taken not to force dirt particles into the fibers with the spray. After washing, the rope can be hung up to dry and later the remaining dirt can be removed by shaking.
If two lengths of rope must be joined, they should be spliced, not tied in a knot, as splices retain much more strength.
The old saying about a chain only being as strong as its weakest link certainly applies in principle to a rope as well. So, give the ropes you use proper care and don’t gamble on a rope that has deteriorated or is damaged.