How can you identify overloaded rigging equipment?

Identifying overloaded rigging equipment is crucial for maintaining safety standards in any lifting operation. Observing signs of deformation or excessive wear is one of the most direct ways to ensure that rigging equipment is not overloaded. When rigging equipment is subjected to loads exceeding its rated capacity, it can experience physical changes, such as bending, stretching, or cracking. These changes indicate that the structural integrity of the equipment may be compromised, making it unsafe for further use.

While checking the manufacturer's specifications is important for understanding the rated capacity of the rigging equipment, it does not give immediate visual indicators of overload conditions. The color of the equipment does not provide relevant information regarding its load capacity or condition. Counting the number of lifts performed doesn’t directly correlate to overload since each lift may not approach the equipment's limits. Therefore, observing physical signs of wear or deformation remains the most effective and immediate method for recognizing overloaded rigging.