Costly Mistakes in Rigging Equipment Selection: How Bad Choices Cost My Company $10k (Plus How to Avoid The

Body (Mistake + Solution, with industry standards):
Mistake 1: Ignoring material properties (e.g., using standard rigging for abrasive ore, leading to wear-out in 3 months) → Fix: Match rigging to material density/shape (wear-resistant steel for ore, clamshell attachments for grain).
Mistake 2: Assuming "rated capacity ≥ load weight = safe" → Fix: Always calculate the angle factor (30° angles double tension—use a load calculator to verify).
Mistake 3: Side-loading standard eye bolts (caused a bolt failure in my early career) → Fix: Only shoulder eye bolts handle limited side loads, and never at angles <45°.
Mistake 4: Skipping edge protection for UHMWPE slings → Fix: Add protective sleeves for sharp edges to prevent fiber core damage.
Mistake 5: Ignoring environmental corrosion (using standard steel rigging in offshore settings) → Fix: Choose corrosion-resistant coatings or non-metallic rigging for marine operations.