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Dogging and Rigging guide
Dogging and rigging glossary
A
Acid: Substance which when concentrated will burn the skin. Neutralises and the opposite to alkali. Examples include battery acid, sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Admissible deck loadings: Relating to cranes on barges. The amount of weight per unit of area that can safely be carried by the vessel deck.
Alkali: Substance which when concentrated will burn the skin. Neutralises and the opposite to acid.
Anemometer: Relating to cranes on barges. A device used for measuring wind speed.
Angle factor: The factor by which the WLL of a multi-legged sling is de-rated to give its WLL at a particular angle between the sling legs.
Anti-skid material: A surface applied to increase the coefficient of friction
Anti-two-block device: See hoist-limiting device.
B
Back hooking: A method of slinging using slings with hooks where the sling is passed around the load and the hook is secured back onto the ring or hook above the load.
Back splice: A splice in the end of a fibre rope to prevent it from unlaying.
Bald eye: An eye in a rope, which is not protected by a thimble. It is also called a 'soft eye'.
Ballast: Relating to cranes on barges. Material that is placed in the hold or on the deck of a vessel to provide stability or influence the trim of the vessel.
Ballast plan: Relating to cranes on barges. A calculation of the quantity and location of masses within a vessel in order to provide stability.
Barge: A shoal-draft flat-bottomed vessel built mainly for river and canal transport of bulk goods.
Barrow hoist: See cantilever platform materials hoist.
Basket hitch: A method of securing a sling around an object by bringing both eyes back together with an angle factor = 1.
Bayonet: A jib extension used with the auxiliary winch on a hydraulic boom crane and often extending from a fly jib to increase the crane's operating radius and drift.
Bearing joint: A bolted joint in steel erection designed to allow for some joint slip for alignment.
Becket: An anchorage point on a sheave block when reeving a tackle or purchase.
Becket load: The load in any fall of rope in a multiple fall tackle or purchase. It equals the total load being lifted divided by the number of falls supporting the load.
Bend: A tie made in fibre rope to create a temporary eye (such as a bowline bend) or to join ropes (such as a sheet bend).
Bending strength: The resistance of a structure against bending force.
Bight: The middle portion of a length of rope. For example, a "bowline on the bight" means a bowline formed in the middle of a rope.
Bilge: Relating to cranes on barges. The part of a hull that would rest on the ground if the vessel were unsupported by water.
Bill: The lower end of a hook.
Birdcaging: A rope defect, springing or enlargement of a FSWR - usually in Lang's Lay.
Black wire: See Bright wire.
Block: An appliance, which supports one or more sheaves.
Block and tackle: A sheave block or blocks used with fibre rope.
Blocking: Relating to cranes on barges. Blocks or brackets that are welded or bolted onto a vessel deck to prevent cargo from moving sideways.
Boatswain's chair: A suspended scaffold where the platform is a chair or similar device suitable for use by one person.
Bollard: Relating to cranes on barges. A sturdy, short, vertical post; the term usually refers to a post on a vessel or quay used principally for mooring vessels.
Boom: A member attached to and cantilevered from the crane structure from which the load is suspended. Can be luffed or sleeved while the crane is handling a load.
Boom butt: The end of the boom nearest to the crane.
Boom head: The end of the boom furthest from the crane.
Boom lift: See Boom-type elevating work platform.
Boom-type elevating work platform: A powered telescoping device, hinged device or articulated device or any combination of these used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated to perform work. Also known as "cherrypickers".
Bordeaux connection: A fitting used to connect a chain to FSWR where the connection is required to pass over a sheave.
Bottle screw: See rigging screw.
Bow shackle: A shackle with bowed sides.
Bowsing: See Frapping.
Bowstring: A rope tensioned to a structural member to prevent it from distorting during lifting.
Breaking force: See minimum breaking strain (MBS).
Breaking load: The load at which a beam or structure will fail
Bridge crane: A powered crane consisting of one or more bridge beams mounted at each end to an end carriage that can travel along elevated runways. It may be cabin-controlled or remote controlled (such as pendant control).
Bright wire: Uncoated steel wire used in the construction of FSWR. Also known as 'black wire'.
BS: British Standard - followed by a number, which denotes a particular publication.
Builders hoist: A hoist incorporating a mast or guides, which is used on building and construction projects. It includes a cantilever platform materials hoist and a personnel and materials hoist.
Bulkhead: Relating to cranes on barges. An upright wall within the hull of a vessel.
Bulldog grip: A wire rope grip consisting of a U-bolt, two nuts and a saddle.
Buoyancy: Relating to cranes on barges. An upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object.
Bush roller chain: Chain constructed with parallel flat links and cylindrical rollers, such as bicycle and motorcycle drive chains.
C
Cable laid rope: Three hawser laid fibre ropes laid up together in an opposite lay to form one rope. Cable laid ropes are often used for moorings.
Cable pulling stocking: A device used as a temporary join for two ropes where the join needs to pass over a sheave. It is used to haul a new rope onto a crane.
Calibrated chain: Short link chain with parallel link sides constructed to very exact link lengths so it can ride smoothly over a gypsy. Commonly used on chain blocks. Also called 'pitched short link chain'.
Cantilever: A beam, structural member or similar which is anchored at one end and which is free at the other end.
Cantilever platform materials hoist: A powered builder's hoist, which has the lift platform cantilevered from the hoist tower. It moves materials only, up and down the face of a building or structure. Also called a 'barrow hoist'.
Cantilevered crane loading platform: A temporary loading bay cantilevered from the face of a building or structure to land or lift crane-handled loads.
Capstan: Relating to cranes on barges. A vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on vessels to multiply the pulling force of seamen when hauling ropes and cables.
Capstan winch: See warping drum.
Cat head: The sheave assemblies on the top mast section of a builder's hoist or the top of the A-frame on a tower crane.
CCLP: Cantilevered crane-loading platform.
Centimetre: A unit for measuring distance. 10mm equals one centimeter. 100cm equals 1 metre.
Centre of buoyancy: Relating to cranes on barges. The centroid of the immersed part of a vessel.
Chain block: A geared portable appliance used for hoisting a load suspended on a chain.
Chain puller: A geared portable appliance incorporating a load chain, which is operated by a lever handle.
Cherry picker: See Boom-type elevating work platform.
Chock: Relating to cranes on barges. A fitting with a gap at the top through which a rope or line is run.
Choke hitch: A method of securing a load to a sling or a sling to an anchorage by reeving the sling back through its eye, or fixing the eye back to the sling leg with a shackle.
Circumference: The distance around the outside edge of a circle.
Class approval: Relating to cranes on barges. Approval for a certain load to be on/in the vessel, as mentioned in the International Load Line Certificate which is part of the vessel’s Classification Certificate. The maximum allowed load is displayed as a load line mark on the side of the vessel.
Cleat: Relating to cranes on barges. A T-shaped piece of metal or wood, especially on a vessel to which ropes are attached.
Clench plate: Relating to cranes on barges. A steel plate welded to the vessel’s structure in such a way that it locks in a part of a structure or load.
Clevis: An eye with a removable pin.
Climbing frame: An internal or external frame used to lift the crane from the tower sections of a tower crane for climbing up or down.
cm: Symbol for centimetre.
Come-along: See chain puller or creeper winch.
Competent person: A person with under pinning knowledge and skills with the ability to repeat the skills over time.
Cradle: The part of a suspended scaffold that incorporates the working platform.
Crane: An appliance intended for raising and lowering a load and moving it horizontally, but excluding industrial lift trucks, earthmoving machinery, amusement structures, tractors, industrial robots, conveyors, building maintenance equipment, suspended scaffolds and lifts.
Crane and vessel combination: The combination of a ballasted and floating vessel with a crane placed thereon.
Crane chart: See load chart.
Crawler crane: See track-mounted crane.
Creeper winch: A portable manually operated winch for hoisting or haulage where an FSWR is moved through the winch by a gripping-jaw mechanism.
Cribbing: See Pigsty.
Crosby clip: See Bulldog grip
Cross-section: A surface or shape exposed by making a straight cut through something at a right angle to an axis.
Cut splice: A splice joining two fibre ropes which incorporates an eye.
D
Dead end: The tail of a rope, which does not take load.
Dead load: The self-weight of a crane, hoist or scaffold before it is loaded.
Deadweight: Relating to cranes on barges. A measure of a vessel’s weight carrying capacity, not including the empty weight of the vessel.
Debris net: A fine mesh net usually laid over an industrial safety net in order to catch small light items of falling debris.
Deck loading: Relating to cranes on barges. The forces exerted on a vessel’s deck by equipment, cargo or structure placed upon it.
Dee shackle: A shackle with parallel sides, resembling the letter D on its side.
Derrick crane: A slewing strut-boom crane with the boom pivoted at the base of a mast, which is either guyed (guy-derrick) or held by backstays (stiff-leg derrick). Can luff under load.
Diameter: The distance across a circle measured through its centre.
Displacement: Relating to cranes on barges. A vessel’s weight based on the amount of water its hull displaces at varying loads.
Diverting sheave: A sheave set up to change the direction of the lead rope between the winch and the head sheave.
Dogger: A person qualified to sling, inspect and direct loads.
Dog knotter: A method of finishing a splice in a fibre rope by halving each strand and knotting each half to the adjacent half strand. It prevents the splice from loosening during use.
Dogging: The application of slinging techniques, including the selection and inspection of lifting gear, or the directing of a crane or hoist operator in the movement of a load when the load is out of the operator's view.
Domestic grade ladder: A portable ladder designed and manufactured for light loads and intended for use by home repair people. It is not intended for industrial work.
Double base clamp: A wire rope grip with two or more bolts along a split barrel to minimise damage to the FSWR.
Double rope suspended scaffold: A scaffold where the cradle is suspended using two hoists and two suspension ropes at each support point.
Double throat wire rope grip: A wire rope grip, which uses a saddle on each side to minimise damage to the FSWR.
Double wrap: A method of slinging where the sling legs are passed twice around the load with the eye choked back to the sling. Often called a round turn.
Draft adjustment: Relating to cranes on barges. The adjustment of the water depth on which a vessel floats by ballasting.
Dragline: A crane fitted with a bucket or scoop, which is thrown outwards and retrieved by a drag cable arrangement.
Drift:
- A steel hand tool consisting of a tapered shaft which is used to align bolt-holes in structural steel connections. It is sometimes driven in with a flogging hammer to 'drift' the boltholes into alignment. Or,
- The distance between the upper and lower blocks of a tackle or purchase. The drift determines the maximum height a load can be lifted.
Drott: A brand name for excavators and loaders.
Drum: The cylinder of a winch around which the rope is wound and stored. It may be plain or grooved.
Dual coverage: Work which can be performed by someone who holds either the appropriate class of rigging certificate or the appropriate class of scaffolding certificate, because the work is within the scope of both types of certificate.
Dual lift: See multiple crane lift.
Duck: A light canvas material similar to calico.
Dunnage: Packing under loads to allow the removal or placing of slings.
Dynamic behaviour: Relating to cranes on barges. The characteristics of vessel movements based on the change of loadings, waves, acceleration forces, etc.
E
EL: Edge Lifting
Elastic: Able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after being stretched or compressed.
Elevating work platform: A telescoping device, scissor device or articulating device used to support a working platform.
End splice: See Back splice.
EOHTC: Electric overhead travelling crane - an electric powered bridge or gantry crane.
Equalising beam: A lifting beam, which can be used with two cranes to ensure that each crane is supporting its correct portion of the load.
Equalising sheaves: Sheaves used to equalize the load.
EWP: Elevating work platform.
Extension ladder: A portable ladder constructed in two or more stages which can be adjusted to vary the height of the ladder.
Eye splice: A splice in the end of a rope, which forms an eye.
Eyebolt: A lifting ring fixed to a threaded rod, which can be screwed into a load or anchorage.
F
Fabricated hung scaffold: A pre-assembled scaffold hung from another structure but which is not capable of being raised or lowered when in use. It is sometimes used for large steel erection projects.
Face clutch: Spherical lifting clutch with a claw-like feature that attaches to a recessed anchor that is commonly mushroom shaped. These anchors are most commonly used on the face of the lifted element.
Factor of safety: The ratio of the minimum breaking load (or GBS) to the WLL or actual working load. For example, an FSWR with a safety factor of five has a WLL, which is one fifth of its GBS.
Falls: The separate parts of rope in a purchase or tackle.
FC: Symbol used to indicate a fibre core in the construction of an FSWR.
Felling: Various methods of demolition where a winch or earthmoving equipment is used to drag over a part of the building or structure.
Ferrule: A metal collar used in an FSWR eye splice to hold the rope parts together.
FL: Face Lifting
Fleet angle: The angle formed from the centre line of the drum to the centre of the first lead sheave then back to the inside centre of the drum flange.
Fleeting: A method of moving an object by using two hoists, purchases or tackles to lift, haul and lower the load.
Flemish eye: A method of forming an eye in FSWR by separating and re-marrying the strands without tucks.
Flogging hammer: A hammer designed to be held in one hand for driving drifts, cold chisels and the like. Commonly used in steel erection.
Fly: A secondary jib mounted at the head of the crane's main boom or jib, increasing the crane's operating radius and drift. Also called a 'goose neck'.
Flying fox: An arrangement where a rope is suspended between two tower structures and which supports a carriage (or 'fox') from which a load may be raised, traversed and lowered.
Frapping: A lashing where several turns are passed around parts to pull a rope tighter. Also called a 'bowsing' lashing.
Free fluid movement: Relating to cranes on barges. An amount of fluid that can move freely in a space within a floating vessel.
Free surface effect: Relating to cranes on barges. When the vessel holds are partially filled, the motion of the liquid (due to the vessel’s rolling and pitching motions) would reduce the stability of the vessel.
FSWR: Flexible steel wire rope.
FW: Filler wire. It is used in some FSWR (Wire Rope) constructions to space and support the main wires in a strand.
G
Gantline: A fibre rope reeved through a single sheave block.
Gantry crane: A powered crane with one or more bridge beams. The beams are supported at each end by legs mounted on travelling end carriages. They have a crab with one or more hoisting units that are able to travel across the bridge beam or beams. Used where there is no supporting building for the crane.
Geared jack: A geared mechanical device used to raise or lower loads.
German jack: See Geared jack.
Gin pole: A guyed derrick without a pivoted strut-boom. It can raise and lower a load and a limited amount of slewing can be achieved by adjusting the guys.
Gin wheel: A purpose-designed single-sheave tackle block often used as a gantline during the erection and dismantling of scaffolds.
Girder clamp: An appliance designed to be fixed to the lower flange of a universal beam or RSJ to provide an anchorage for a sling, suspension rope, purchase or tackle.
Girt: A horizontal structural member in a wall of a steel structure which supports the wall cladding sheets.
GM value: Relating to cranes on barges. In a vessel, the distance called "GM" or "metacentric height", being the distance between two points: "G" the centre of gravity of the vessel and "M", which is a point called the metacentre.
Goose neck: See Fly.
Guaranteed breaking strain: The load (or force) stated by the rope manufacturer as the rope's breaking load when tested to failure in a new condition. The ratio between the GBS and the WLL is the factor of safety.
Grade: Indicates the strength of chain, FSWR or other items manufactured from steel. The higher the grade of steel, the higher the tensile strength.
Grommet: An endless sling constructed with a single rope strand layed up onto itself.
Gun tackle: A fibre rope tackle which uses an upper block with two sheaves and a lower block with two sheaves (two double blocks).
Guy: A tensioned rope fixed at one end to a mast, tower or structure and anchored some distance from the base to stabilise the structure.
Guyed derrick: A derrick (or derrick crane) stabilized by guys.
Gypsy: A sheave with pockets formed into its groove to take a load chain, such as on a chain block.
H
Hambone: See Wedge socket.
Hammerhead crane: A tower crane with a counterweighted horizontal boom, which supports a traversing crab for hoisting.
Hammerlock: An attachment for joining hooks or rings to a chain.
Hand splice: Orthodox eye splice in wire rope (WR).
Handy billy: A fibre rope tackle where one block has two sheaves and the other block has three sheaves (double and treble blocks). It is also called 'light gin tackle'.
Hawser laid: A fibre rope construction which uses three strands.
Head block: The top block in a purchase, tackle or block at the head of a crane boom or hoist.
Headache ball: A spherical overhauling weight.
Heave: Relating to cranes on barges. The linear vertical (up/down) motion; excessive downward heave can swamp a vessel.
Heavy duty working platform: A scaffold platform with a duty live load capacity of 675kg per bay. This is three times the capacity of a light duty platform.
Heavy gin tackle: A fibre rope tackle where the upper block has three sheaves and the lower block has three sheaves (two treble blocks).
Heel: Relating to cranes on barges. Be tilted temporarily by the pressure of wind or by an uneven distribution of weight on board.
Helix: The spiral put into a rope construction.
High stranding: Rope damage indicated by one strand sitting up higher than the others in a portion of the rope.
Hitch: A tie made in a fibre rope to fix it to an anchorage or to a load. Common examples include the clove hitch, rolling hitch, becket (or buntline) hitch and timber hitch.
Hoist: An appliance used to raise or lower a load with no horizontal movement.
Hoisting: Raising or lowering a load.
Hoist-limiting device: A device used in a crane or hoist to stop the winch or warn the operator before the hook block jams into the head block (two blocking) while the hook is being raised. It is also called an 'anti-two-block device'.
Hold: Relating to cranes on barges. Part of a vessel below deck where cargo is stored.
Hook block: The lower block on a crane, which incorporates a hook for slinging loads.
Hydraulic boom crane: A crane, which has a boom, which luffs using hydraulic power and usually telescopes using hydraulic power.
I
Inboard: The portion of a needle or other cantilevered beam between the fulcrum and end anchorage or centre of the counterweights.
Industrial grade ladder: A portable ladder designed and manufactured for general industrial use. This is the type of ladder for use in rigging work.
Industrial safety net: A purpose-designed net intended to catch a person falling from a building or structure.
Inertia reel: A self-locking device with a retractable line intended for use with a safety harness.
IWRC: Wire rope core in the construction of an FSWR.
IWS: Wire strand core in the construction of an FSWR.
J
Jack: An appliance, which is placed under a load to raise or lower it.
Jack up barge: Relating to cranes on barges. A mobile platform that consists of a buoyant hull fitted with a number of movable legs, capable of raising its hull over the surface of the sea.
Jib: A member attached to the crane structure from which the load is suspended. (Please note: In the past, 'jib' was often used to mean the same thing as 'boom'.) Otherwise referred to as ‘fly’ or ‘fly jib’.
Jib trolley: A crab or saddle from which the load is suspended and which can traverse along the jib.
Jockey sheave: A diverting sheave, which can freely run along the length of an axle to reduce the fleet angle of the lead rope.
K
kg: Kilogram
kPa: Kilopascal
kN: Kilonewton.
Kernmantle construction: A method of constructing synthetic fibre rope where a plaited sheath is layed over a parallel or twisted core. Kernmantle ropes are used with abseiling equipment and emergency rescue lines.
Kibble: A crane-lifted vessel normally used for hoisting and pouring wet concrete.
Kidney belt: See Body belt.
Kinking: Damage to a rope indicated by a sharp permanent twist.
Kilogram: A unit for measuring mass (or weight). One litre of water weighs one kilogram. There are 1000kg in a tonne.
Kilonewton: A unit for measuring force. One kilonewton is approximately equivalent to a weight of 100kg.
Kilopascal: A unit for measuring pressure or stress. One kilopascal is approximately equal to 100kg per square metre.
Knee brace: A diagonal brace used to stiffen a column in a steel structure.
L
L: Indicates Grade 30 mild steel chain.
Labile: Relating to cranes on barges. Apt or likely to change, unstable.
Land-based mobile crane: A crane designed primarily for operation on land and as defined in standards such as EN13000, AS 1418.5, ASME B30.5, and CSA-Z150.
Lang's lay: A construction method for FSWR where the rope strands are laid in the same direction as the wires.
Lanyard: A short length of synthetic fibre rope used to attach a safety harness or body belt to an anchorage.
Lashing: A mechanical strap used to tie something down or last it to something.
Lateral force: Forces to the side; of or pertaining to the side.
Lattice boom crane: A crane with an open-web boom, usually in sections. It does not telescope. Sometimes called a 'pin-jib crane'.
Lay: The way a rope is constructed.
Lead block: A block which diverts the line of pull in a winch hauling rope.
Lead rope: The portion of rope between the lead block and the winch drum.
Left hand lay: A method of rope construction where the strands are laid up in an anti-clockwise direction. Sometimes called an 'S twist' because the strands run the same direction as the central part of the letter S.
Lever hoist: See Chain puller.
LH: Indicates left hand lay in a rope construction.
Lifeline: A vertical, or near vertical rope to which a safety harness can be attached using a device that will grab the lifeline if the wearer slips.
Lifted load: See live load.
Lifting clamp: See plate clamp.
Lifting loops (wire type): Wire rope formed into a loop inserted into concrete elements to form a lifting eye.
Lift on/lift off: Relating to cranes on barges. Load or discharge a certain weight from or onto a vessel by means of a lifting device.
Light duty working platform: A platform on a scaffold with a duty live load capacity of 225kg per bay.
Light gin tackle: See handy billy.
Lightweight: Relating to cranes on barges. The weight of the vessel excluding cargo, fuel, water, ballast, stores, passengers, crew.
List: Relating to cranes on barges. A vessel leaning to one side or the other due to changing loading condition of vessel or ‘crane and vessel combination’.
Live load: The load being lifted (also called the 'lifted load’) or the load of persons and materials supported by a scaffold platform in each bay.
Live rope: A moving rope.
LL: Indicates Lang's lay in an FSWR rope construction.
Load amplification factor (LAF): Relating to cranes on barges. A factor by which the expected hook load of the crane is multiplied in order to allow for unknown forces that might be introduced by vessel inclination and dynamic behaviour of the crane and vessel combination. Some classification societies refer to Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) or Vertical Amplification Factor (VAF).
Load binder chain: Chain designed for securing loads to the trays of trucks. It is not designed for lifting.
Load chart: A manufacturer's notice fixed to a crane or hoist, which specifies the MRCs in all normal operating configurations.
Load factor: The fraction of a sling assembly's WLL created by a particular slinging method. It includes the angle factor and the reeve factor.
Load limiting device: Used with a power-operated scaffolding hoist, which cuts the hoist motor at a pre-set load to avoid overloading the rope or the suspension rig.
Load moment: The product of load x working radius at which it is suspended.
Load sensor: Relating to cranes on barges. A force transducer which converts a force such as tension, compression or pressure into an electrical signal that can be measured and displayed to the operators in units (for example: t, ton, kN, lbs).
Load spreader: Relating to cranes on barges. A device used for distributing loading over a larger area, such as the deck of a vessel.
Load weight indicator: A device which indicates the weight of the load being lifted.
Locomotive crane: A crane designed and intended for use on railway tracks.
Long splice: A method of joining two ropes so that they can travel over sheaves without obstruction.
Lower block: The bottom block in a tackle or purchase from which the load is suspended.
Luff tackle: A fibre rope tackle where the upper block has two sheaves and the lower block has a single sheave (single and double blocks).
Luffing: Raising or lowering the boom head of a crane.
M
M: The symbol used to indicate the diameter of a structural bolt in millimetres. For example, M16 indicates a 16mm bolt.
m: A metre - the unit for measuring distance.
Man and materials hoist: See Personnel and materials hoist.
Manila: Natural fibre used for rope construction. Has a creamy brown appearance when new.
Marine survey: Relating to cranes on barges. An inspection of a vessel undertaken by a qualified person which may be undertaken in or out of water dependent on survey type.
Marlin spike: A tapered hand tool used to prise open the strands of an FSWR during splicing or during rope inspection.
Marline: Tarred hemp cordage used for seizings, mousings and whippings. Also called 'small stuff'.
Master link: The main (or master) ring to which the legs of a chain or wire rope sling assembly are attached.
Mast climber: A hoist with a working platform used for temporary purposes to raise personnel and materials to the working position. It has a drive system mounted on an extendable mast which may be tied to a building.
Materials hoist: A builder's hoist used for raising and lowering materials (not personnel) including a cantilevered platform materials hoist.
Maximum rated capacity (MRC): The greatest lifting capacity, in tonnes, available on a crane model considering all configurations.
MBS: Minimum breaking strain
Mechanical loadshifting equipment: When used in connection with rigging, this term includes specified cranes, hoists, cableways, flying foxes, winches, blocks and purchases which incorporate sheaves, jacks and airbags.
Medium duty working platform: A platform on a scaffold with a duty live load capacity of 450kg per bay. This is twice the capacity of a light duty platform.
Megapascal: A unit for measuring pressure or stress. 1000 kilopascals equals 1 megapascal. 1 megapascal is approximately equal to 100 tonne per square metre.
Metacentre: Relating to cranes on barges. A midway point between a vessel’s centre of buoyancy when upright and its centre of buoyancy when tilted.
Metacentric height: Relating to cranes on barges. The distance between the centre of gravity of a vessel and its metacentre. The metacentric height determines the vessel’s ability to get back on an even keel.
mm: Millimetres. 1000mm equal one metre.
Mobile crane: A crane which can travel over a supporting surface without the need for fixed runways or railway tracks and which relies on gravity for stability.
Mobile scaffold: An independent free-standing scaffold mounted on castors.
Mobiling: Moving a mobile crane over its supporting surface while it is under load.
Mooring: Relating to cranes on barges. To tie up a vessel at a designated place.
Mooring furniture: Relating to cranes on barges. All objects designed for the purpose of mooring a vessel.
Mooring winch: Relating to cranes on barges. A winch designed for the purpose of mooring a vessel.
MPa: Megapascal.
MSDS: Material safety data sheet.
Multi-legged sling: A sling assembly with more than two sling legs.
Multiple crane lift: The movement of a load where the load is suspended from two or more cranes.
N
Needle: A cantilevered structural member that supports a scaffold or load.
Nip: The point at which a rope or sling is gripped by a hitch.
Non-floating vessel: Relating to cranes on barges. Situation when a vessel is not free-floating but is resting on support legs (jack up) or grounded on the seabed or at the shore.
Non-rotating rope: WR (Wire Rope) in which adjacent layers of strands are layed in opposite directions, i.e. alternatively right hand and left hand, to prevent the rope from spinning under load. Commonly used as a crane hoist rope.
Non-slewing mobile crane: A mobile crane, which has a boom or jib that cannot be slewed. It includes an articulated type mobile crane and a locomotive crane.
NR: Symbol used to indicate non-rotating rope.
Nylon: Man made synthetic plastic material composed of polyamides of high molecular weight.
O
OL: Symbol used to indicate ordinary lay rope construction.
On rubber: The operation of a truck-mounted or rough terrain mobile crane without the aid of outriggers.
Open wedge socket: See wedge socket.
Operating radius: The working radius of a crane or lifting appliance.
Ordinary lay: A method of WR (Wire Rope) construction where the strands are laid in the opposite direction to the outer layer of wires. Referred to in North American manuals as 'regular lay'.
Outboard: The portion of a needle or other cantilevered beam between its fulcrum and its outermost attachment point.
Outrigger: A stabilising extension for a mobile crane.
Overhauling weight: Counterweight to overhaul the self-weight of an unloaded hoisting rope.
Overwound: Rope winding on and off the top side of a winch drum.
P
P: Symbol used to indicate Grade 40 chain.
Parbuckling: A method of moving a large cylinder up or down a ramp using one or more ropes to haul it or control its descent.
Parcelling: Covering a splice with strips of duck or canvas before serving.
Parachute harness: See safety harness.
Parts of rope: See falls.
Pendant: A rope used to provide support to a length of crane boom or jib.
Pendant control: A hand-held set of motion controls attached to a crane or hoist by an extension cable to provide remote operation. Particularly used with some types of bridge cranes and power-operated chain blocks.
Personnel and materials hoist: A powered builder's hoist which hoists personnel, goods or materials.
Pigsty: A method of placing bearers on top of each other at right angles to provide a stable temporary support for a load.
Pin-jib crane: See lattice boom crane.
Pitch: Relating to cranes on barges. The swaying or oscillation of a vessel around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of motion.
Pitched short-link chain: See Calibrated chain.
Plate clamp: A purpose-designed appliance for lifting steel plate and similar items.
Plate shackle: A shackle with two side plates used to connect boom pendants.
Podger spanner: A spanner with a tapered handle used to field bolt structural steel members.
Pontoon: Relating to cranes on barges. A flat bottomed lighter or barge used as a work platform for loading or unloading vessels or transporting bulky cargo.
Portal boom crane: A powered jib or boom crane mounted on a portal frame that is supported on runways allowing the crane to travel. Commonly used in waterside ports.
Power take-off winch: A winch powered by the engine of the vehicle to which it is attached.
Pre-ballasting: Relating to cranes on barges. Adjusting the trim of a vessel prior to an operation to a desired state by adding ballast.
Preformed rope: FSWR where the spiral of the strands and wires is formed before the rope is laid up.
Proof-coil chain: Unmarked chain of uncertain grade and construction.
Protective device: A device used with a suspended scaffold which will arrest the descent and support a cradle or boatswain's chair in the event of a failure of a suspension rope or scaffolding hoist.
Purchase: A series of sheaves reeved up to form a mechanical advantage in the FSWR.
Purlin: A longitudinal member spanning between roof trusses or beams to which roofing sheets are fixed.
Q
Quay: Relating to cranes on barges. A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels.
R
Radius: The distance between the centre of a circle and its outside edge.
Rated capacity: The load which may be applied to a crane for particular configuration of use.
Rated capacity chart: The maximun load the crane can lift at a specific radius in a particular crane configuration as shown on a crane load chart.
Reeve: To thread rope through lifting gear such as sheaves or put one eye through the other for slinging.
Reeve factor: The factor by which the WLL of a sling is adjusted to give its new WLL for a particular application in which the sling is reeved.
Regular lay: See ordinary lay.
Remote-release shackle: A purpose-designed shackle with an operating rope enabling it to be disconnected by a person standing below the lifting point. Often used to lift columns during steel erection.
Rigging: The use of mechanical load shifting equipment and associated gear to move, place or secure a load including plant, equipment or members of a building or structure and to ensure the stability of those members, and for the setting up and dismantling of cranes and hoists, other than the setting up of a crane or hoist which only requires the positioning of integral outriggers or stabilisers.
Rigging screw: An enclosed device with an anchorage point and a threaded rod in each end. Used to tension an FSWR or to provide fine adjustment to a sling assembly.
Right hand lay: A method of rope construction where the strands are laid up in a clockwise direction. Sometimes called a 'Z twist' because the strands run in the same direction as the central part of the letter Z.
Righting arm (GZ): Relating to cranes on barges. The horizontal distance between the lines of buoyancy and gravity; a notional lever through which the force of buoyancy acts.
Ring: End link of a chain assembly
Ring clutch: Round lifting clutch, shaped like a donut, that attaches to a plate anchor that is cast into the edge of the lifted element.
RL: See ordinary lay.
Roll: Relating to cranes on barges. The tilting rotation of a vessel about itslongitudinal/X (front-back or bow-stern) axis.
Rolled steel jois: A structural steel member with an I-section, now largely superseded by universal beams (UBs) and universal columns (UCs).
Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro): Relating to cranes on barges. Load or discharge a certain weight from or onto a vessel using wheels or tracks (for example: a mobile crane on tracks or a load on a wheeled transport vehicle).
Roof rig: See suspension rig.
Rooster sheave: The head sheave for the auxiliary winch on the top of the boom head of a hydraulic boom crane.
Rough terrain crane: A mobile crane designed to operate on unimproved natural terrain and disturbed terrain of construction sites.
Round sling: An endless synthetic fibre sling constructed with a circular cross-section.
RSJ: Rolled steel joist.
Running gear: Flexible ropes which run over sheaves or drums and the gear used with such ropes.
S
S: The symbol used to indicate seale construction in an FSWR.
S TWIST: See left hand lay.
Safety data sheet (SDS): Manufacturer or supplier's information about a substance, including any hazards associated with its transportation, storage and use.
Safety harness: A body harness to which a lanyard or inertia reel can be attached to protect a person from falling or arrest a fall.
Safety hook: A hook provided with a safety latch across its throat intended to prevent a sling being accidentally dislodged.
Safety line: A horizontal rope or webbing anchored to two or more points of a building or structure and tensioned to provide an anchorage for a person wearing a safety harness to attach a lanyard or inertia reel.
Safety net: See industrial safety net.
Sag rod: A stiffening member fixed between purlins or girts, generally at their mid span.
Sea fastening: Relating to cranes on barges. A structure or installation devised to securely tighten cargo onto a vessel so it will not shift as a result of the vessel movement at sea.
Seale: A multi-layered strand construction method in FSWR where equal sized wires in one layer are laid over an equal number of smaller equal sized wires in the next layer.
Seale Warrington: A multi-layered strand construction method in FSWR where a seale laid layer is laid over a Warrington laid centre.
Scaffold: A temporary structure specifically erected to support access platforms or working platforms.
Scaffolding hoist: A serial hoist used with a suspension rope to raise and lower a cradle or boatswain's chair during normal operation.
Scissor hoist: An elevating work platform where the platform is raised and lowered using a scissor mechanism.
Secondary rope: A rope sometimes used on a suspended scaffold which does not normally support the cradle but which is rigged for use with a protective device.
Seizing: A lashing for holding two ropes, or two parts of a rope together. Common types include round, square, flat, racking, throat and end seizings.
Senhouse slip: A tongued quick release device for chains or ropes. Often used to secure the anchor of a vessel.
Serving: Winding marline, twine or annealed wire tightly around a rope, usually to protect a splice from damage and to protect the user's hands from cuts.
SF: The symbol used to indicate seale filler wire in the construction of an FSWR.
Shackles: Attachments for joining a sling to a load or a hook.
Sheave: A grooved wheel or roller over which a rope or chain passes.
Shear: Break off or going to break off due to structural strain
Sheerlegs: A derrick-like appliance consisting of two legs in an 'A' formation, with a sheave block fixed to its apex and the framework stabilized with guys.
Short splice: A method of joining two ends of fibre rope. It is used where the spliced section does not have to travel over a sheave.
Shroud laid: A method of constructing a fibre rope using four strands layed around a core.
Significant wave height: Relating to cranes on barges. The average wave height, from trough to crest, of the highest one-third of the waves. It means the average of heights of 10 per cent of the total number of waves having the greater heights measured between wave trough and wave crest, observed over a short period.
Simple supported beam: A beam, which is fixed at each end.
Single ladder: A non-self-supporting portable ladder whose length cannot be adjusted.
Single whip: A fibre rope tackle where both the upper and lower blocks have single sheaves (two single blocks).
Sisal: Vegetable fibre obtained from the sisal plant. Sometimes used to construct natural fibre ropes.
Slewing: The left and right rotation of a crane's boom or jib in the horizontal plane.
Slewing crane: A crane with a boom or jib which has slewing capability.
Slewing mobile crane: A powered mobile slewing crane. It does not refer to a front-end loader, backhoe, excavator or similar equipment when configured for crane operation.
Sling: Detachable lifting gear made from FSWR, natural fibre, chain, or synthetic fibre.
Snatch block: A sheave block with a drop side to permit the bight of a rope to be placed or removed without reeving it through.
Snatch loading: The sudden application of power to lift a load, causing large impact forces (normally unknown) on the load and the running gear.
Snigging: Dragging a sling or dragging a load.
Snotter: A fibre rope sling.
Spanish windlass: A dangerous method of twitching tight the parts of a rope by placing a bar between them and taking several turns.
Special duty working platform: A platform on a scaffold designed for live loads greater than 675kg per bay.
Spreader bar: A rigid member used to connect two trolleys from which a scaffold is suspended. It keeps the suspension points aligned when the cradle or working platform is traversed.
Spreader beam: A beam with a central lifting attachment and with slinging points at each end. Used to reduce the angle of slings or to sling loads with large surface areas or to reduce the strain on a load.
Spud: Relating to cranes on barges. A shaft that is usually made of steel used to anchor or moor a barge to a particular area.
Spudwell: Relating to cranes on barges. The vertical sleeve for a spud that attaches to the side of a sectional barge, usually connecting to the perimeter of a sectional barge using a lock system.
Sock: See cable pulling stocking.
Soft eye: See bald eye.
Stability: Relating to cranes on barges. The property of a body that causes it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition.
Stability booklet (manual): Relating to cranes on barges. A document which contains information to safely operate the vessel and enable the master to operate the vessel in compliance with the stability requirements applicable to the vessel.
Standing gear: Ropes such as guys and stays which do not run or work over sheaves or drums, and the gear used with such ropes.
Static behaviour: Lacking in movement, action, or change, especially concerned with bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium.
Static line: See safety line.
Step ladder: A self-supporting portable ladder of fixed length having flat steps or treads and hinged back legs.
Stiff-leg Derrick: A derrick crane stabilised by rigid backstays and sleepers.
Stocking: See cable pulling stocking.
Strand: A number of wires or fibres fayed in a spiral, which are then layed up with other strands to form a rope.
Stretch screw: See turnbuckle.
Strongback: A temporary member fixed to a load to strengthen or stiffen it during lifting.
Strop: An endless sling.
Stud-link chain: Chain constructed with a stud across the centre of each link. Commonly used for marine purposes, the stud prevents the chain from jamming when it comes out of ships' lockers. Unsuitable for general lifting purposes.
Super duty hoist: A materials tower hoist with a WLL greater than one tonne. It is sometimes constructed as a dual tower with a materials platform in one tower and a concrete bucket in the other.
Surge: Relating to cranes on barges. The linear longitudinal (front/back to bow/stern) motion imparted by maritime conditions.
Suspended scaffold: A scaffold incorporating a suspended platform, which can be raised and lowered in normal use, including a boatswain's chair.
Suspension rig: The portion of a suspended scaffold (including a trolley track) which is mounted at a higher level than the cradle and which supports and positions the cradle. Sometimes called a 'roof rig'.
Suspension rope: A rope used in a suspended scaffold to support a cradle.
SW: The symbol used to indicate seale warrington construction in an FSWR.
Swaged fitting: A metallic fitting attached to FSWR using radial pressure to form an eye.
Sway: Relating to cranes on barges. The linear transverse (side-to-side or port-starboard) motion.
Swell: A long series of ocean waves, generally produced by wind and lasting after the wind has ceased.
Swing stage: A suspended scaffold with a single row of suspension ropes.
Swivel: A rotating item of lifting gear that can rotate without spinning the rope, hook or load.
SWL: Safe working load.
Synthetic fibre: Manufactured fibre used in the construction of fibre ropes and slings, such as polyamide (nylon), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.
T
T: Symbol indicating Grade 80 chain.
t: Symbol for tonne.
Tackle: Fibre rope reeved through sheaves to form a mechanical advantage.
Tagline: A fibre rope attached to a suspended load to control the load during lifting, minimum 16mm diameter.
Tapered flange beam: A largely obsolete type of steel I-beam. UBs are now generally used.
Tare weight: The unloaded weight of a crane, lifting box or other container. It is also called the 'self-weight'.
Telescoping: The extension or retraction of a crane's boom or jib by the movement of the boom or jib sections during normal operation. A feature of most hydraulic boom cranes.
Tension: The state of being stretched tight or can create stretch in an item.
Tension monitoring device: A device monitoring the tension in a wire, rope, or mooring line.
TFB: Tapered flange beam.
Thimble: A grooved piece of metal, circular or pear-shaped, used to protect an eye splice. It forms a 'hard eye'.
Tidal movement: The rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon, the sun, and the rotation of the earth.
Tidal variation: Tides vary on timescales ranging from hours to years due to a number of factors which determine the lunitidal interval.
Tie-down: A fastener used to hold down cargo or equipment during transport.
Tonne: A unit for measuring mass (or weight). 1000kg equals 1 tonne.
Tower crane: A boom or jib crane mounted on a tower structure.
Track-mounted crane: A mobile crane mounted on a crawler track base. It is not usually fitted with outriggers.
Travel: Movement of a complete crane along a surface or track.
Travel tower: A boom-type EWP mounted on a truck tray.
Traverse: Movement of a crab or other part of a crane along runways forming part of the crane structure, or horizontal movement of a scaffold platform hung from or suspended from a trolley track.
Traversing rope: A fibre rope used with a suspended scaffold or hung scaffold supported from a trolley track to provide controlled horizontal movement of the platform. Also the rope used to traverse the fox across the main cable of a flying fox.
Trestle ladder: A portable hinged self-supporting ladder designed and intended to support scaffold planks.
Trim: Relating to cranes on barges. To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume, a certain position or trim in the water.
Trim angle: Relating to cranes on barges. The inclination angle from bow to stern to which a vessel is trimmed by ballasting or loading.
Truck-mounted crane: A mobile crane mounted on a trucktype chassis and cab system, with the crane base forming part of the truck chassis.
Trusses: Relating to cranes on barges. Framework of beams in the interior of a vessel’s hull which collectively ensure a rigid hull.
Tuck: A rope strand tail passed under a strand in the construction of a splice.
Turnbuckle: An open-framed attachment with an anchorage and threaded rod at each end used to tension a rope or to provide fine adjustment.
U
UB: Universal beam.
UC: Universal column.
Underwound: Rope winding on and off the underside of a winch drum.
Union screw: See Turnbuckle.
Universal beam: An I-section steel beam commonly used in steel structures.
Universal column: An I-section steel column commonly used in steel structures.
V
Valve actuators: The mechanism for opening and closing a valve.
Vehicle loading crane: A powered slewing crane mounted on a vehicle for the principal purpose of loading and unloading the vehicle.
Vessel: Any craft designed for transportation on water.
Vessel freeboard: Relating to cranes on barges. The distance from the waterline to the upper deck level measured at the lowest point of sheer where water can enter the vessel.
Vessel heel: Relating to cranes on barges. The angle of inclination about longitudinal axis of the vessel.
Vessel trim: Relating to cranes on barges. Angle of inclination about transverse axis of the vessel.
W
W: Symbol used to indicate a warrington construction in an FSWR.
Walking: Mobiling a load with track-mounted cranes.
Warping drum: A powered winch with a dished drum used with a fibre or wire rope which is turned around the drum using friction to lift or haul a load. Also called a 'capstan winch'.
Warrington: A multi-layered strand construction method for FSWR where the strand is laid up parallel with alternate large and small wires in one layer.
Wave action: Relating to cranes on barges. The complex of forces exerted on a vessel as a result of wave movements.
Webbing sling: A flat woven synthetic fibre sling.
Whip upon whip: A fibre rope tackle with two moveable single blocks and one fixed single block.
Whipping: A method of preventing the end of a rope from unlaying by securing yarn, marline, twin or wire around it. Forms of whipping used with fibre ropes include Common whipping, American whipping, West-Countryman's whipping and Palm-and-Needle whipping.
Winch: An appliance, which provides a means of hoisting or hauling a load.
Winch brake: Brake system fitted on a winch to control the unrolling movement.
Wire: A single continuous steel filament. In FSWR, numbers of wires make up a strand, and several strands form a rope.
Wire rope grip: A removable device incorporating nuts and bolts designed to be fixed to FSWR.
WLL: Working load limit.
Work cage: A suspended scaffold cradle supported by a single suspension rope. Usually designed for one person.
Workbox: A crane-lifted box designed to carry personnel and provide them with a working platform. Often used to service tower crane booms and during large-scale steel erection.
Working load limit: The maximum load which can be applied under general conditions of use to a hoist, rope, chain, sling or item of lifting gear.
Worming: The laying of lengths of spun yarn into the valleys between the strands of a rope to make the rope completely circular before it is served.
Y
Yaw: Relating to cranes on barges. A vessel’s motion rotating about the vertical axis so the bow yaws from side to side; a characteristic of unsteadiness.
Z
Z twist: See right hand lay.