If the circumference of the line is reduced by 5 percent or more, when should a line be replaced that was overloaded?

• A. When circumference is reduced by 5 percent or more
• B. After a 20 percent circumference reduction
• C. Immediately after the overload
• D. After 10% reduction

Answer: (A)

A line that has been overloaded shows damage through deformation, and a measurable drop in circumference is a clear sign that its strength has been compromised. The safest and most practical threshold to retire the line is when its circumference has diminished by 5 percent or more. At that level, the material fibers have likely stretched and weakened enough that further use could lead to a sudden failure, even if there are no other obvious signs yet. Replacing at this point minimizes risk and aligns with conservative rigging safety practice.

Waiting for larger reductions, such as 10 percent or 20 percent, means the line has already undergone more damage and is farther from its original strength, increasing the chance of failure under load. Replacing immediately after the overload isn’t as precise a rule as using the 5 percent circumference loss as a clear, measurable criterion. If the circumference loss is less than 5 percent, you would still inspect closely, but the explicit threshold to replace is the 5 percent reduction.