During quarterly inspection of wire rope rigging, which two conditions are checked?

• A. Wear and proper lubrication
• B. Wear only
• C. Lubrication only
• D. Alignment

Answer: (A)

Regular quarterly checks focus on two things: wear and lubrication. Wear reveals how the rope has endured service life—look for broken strands, flattening, crushing, corrosion, kinks, and any measurable diameter loss; if wear is beyond the allowable limit, the rope can no longer be trusted for safe lifting. Lubrication is crucial because proper lubricant reduces internal friction, slows wear between strands, and protects against corrosion; ensure the rope is adequately lubricated, evenly distributed, and free of dirt or water contaminants, re-lubricating as needed per the spec. While other factors like alignment or visible damage matter for safe operation, wear and lubrication directly determine whether the rigging remains fit for service.