Supporting Crane & Rigging Safety Week with Education and Expertise
By Jimmy Laub - Fulcrum Lifting
At Fulcrum Lifting, we are proud to support our customers not only with quality lifting and rigging products, but also with the knowledge and expertise that promote successful operations. Recently, our team had the privilege of participating in a Crane and Rigging Safety Week event hosted by one of our valued customers.
This event brought employees together for focused discussions and demonstrations around critical rigging topics. Our team provided hands-on examples of roundslings, synthetic web slings, chain slings, rigging hardware, and Enerpac hydraulic lifting cylinder and pump, while also sharing educational videos and conversations designed to reinforce best practices.
Key Topics Covered
During the event, our discussions and demonstrations focused on several key rigging fundamentals:
- Sling Angles – How the angle between the sling and the load directly impacts the amount of force applied to the sling legs.
- D/d Ratio – Why the relationship between the diameter of the load or hardware and the diameter of the sling is critical to proper performance.
- Load Control – The importance of knowing both the weight of the load and its center of gravity before lifting.
We also played two Crosby educational videos: one highlighting the role of load weight and center of gravity in rigging, and another focusing on best practices for managing sling angles.
Why Sling Angles Matter
The angle at which a sling is rigged can dramatically change the forces applied to the sling as well as the load. As the sling angle decreases from vertical, the tension in the sling increases, sometimes far beyond the weight of the load itself.
For example: (Assuming slings properly capture center of gravity)
- Slings used at a shared 90° vertical angle carries only the load’s actual shared weight.
- At a 60° angle, the tension increases by about 15%.
- At a 30° angle, the tension is double, creating unexpected stress that may exceed the sling’s working load limit.
Understanding sling angles and accounting for the increased tension helps riggers choose the proper wire rope sling, web sling, roundsling, or chain sling for the job, helping reduce the risk of equipment damage and promoting proper rigging practices.
The Importance of D/d Ratio
Another critical concept in rigging is the D/d ratio, the ratio of the diameter of the load or hardware (D) to the diameter of the sling (d). This ratio impacts how the sling seats on the lifting point and distributes weight.
- A low D/d ratio (small hardware or load diameter compared to sling size) can pinch or flatten the sling, reducing strength and causing premature wear.
- A higher D/d ratio helps maintain sling capacity and extends the useful life of the sling.
Proper D/d ratios apply to wire rope slings, web slings, roundslings, and chain slings alike. By selecting the right rigging hardware and incorporating sling protection where needed, operators can help extend sling longevity while protecting both the load and equipment.
More Than Products — A Partnership
Being part of the Crane and Rigging Safety Week is a reminder of our mission at Fulcrum Lifting: to support our customers beyond supplying lifting slings, rigging hardware, and load securement tools. Whether through training, hands-on demonstrations, or knowledge-sharing, our team is here to help solve lifting and rigging challenges.
We’d like to thank our customer for inviting us to participate in this valuable event. Together, we are reinforcing best practices that contribute to successful operations across the industries we serve.