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RI
G
TIPS FROM THE CANOPY
Whether driving a vehicle, operating a chainsaw or piece of
machinery, using a saddle or climbing line, or wearing a helmet, our job sites
and lives are filled with product.
Every product we encounter has a finite service life. When dealing with computers or similar technology, we can update them restoring their speed and
efficiency, but what about the equipment we use on a daily basis? People tend to be very conscientious about protecting their laptops and smartphones, but do we
provide the same level of care for equipment that not only helps us do our jobs, but protects us and keeps us safe?
Gear we use for rigging deserves no less attention than the gear we use for climbing. If rigging equipment fails, we should expect the same outcome as if climbing equipment
fails – property damage, injury, or even death. Our gear is an investment that should show a return. The gear we use keeps us safe, allows us to perform the job at hand, and ultimately get
paid for completing the job. How much of a return is up to us. Our ability to properly care for, and understand the limits of our gear, is part of determining the return we will see.
Inspecting gear should be an everyday occurrence, as a way to protect our life. We expect the equipment to work for us, so we can profit from the labor, so why not maximize the return on our
investment. Daily inspections and following the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and inspection are a necessity. If we fail to perform proper inspections or maintenance, we have no one
to blame except ourselves. And with a lack of inspection and maintenance, we should also expect the service life of our gear to diminish greatly. Even worse than shortening the lifespan of the equipment, we
are welcoming a gear failure that could ultimately lead to property damage, injury, or even death.
Rigging gear is put through the toughest aspects of the job. Heavy loads and dynamic forces repeated over and over. Although we use our rigging gear to perform tasks, one thing we need to remember is rigging gear is also keeping us safe. It allows us to control heavy loads, direct hazards away from us, and keep the tree from
failing while we are tied into it. It also keeps people on the ground safe just the same. Why then, do so many people not take the time to inspect and maintain rigging gear? It is no less important than our climbing gear, and
we should inspect and maintain it just the same.