Safety in Testing

Published On: Feb 23, 2018

Recoil:

  • When test specimen break, they tend to recoil along the line of their axis, so the danger zone from recoil is mostly in line with the rope.
  • Standing in line with the rope or either end of the test equipment should not be allowed within some distance greater than the length of the specimen. On rare occasions, breakage occurs in one leg of an eye splice and the rope may whip to the side.
 

Fittings and machine parts:

  • One of the greatest danger is the breakage of machine parts or fittings used for testing.
  • Metal objects propelled by the rope specimen are the most dangerous and most unpredictable as to direction.
  • Operators must be certain that the equipment has been designed with adequate safety margins relative to the maximum forces that can be exerted, with appropriate consideration for fatigue if the equipment is to be used extensively at high loads.
 

Impact against the test Equipment:

  • When a rope recoils upon breaking, the structure of test equipment must absorb the energy. Broken welds may appear in the structure so regular inspection is required.
  • Most test frames are designed for compressive loads but recoil impact is in the opposite direction and under shock conditions.

Protective barriers:

  • Cages over the testbed are appropriate, but they must not be considered “bullet-proof”, especially for large ropes that may have a strength and to as much as 1000 tonnes.
  • Broken fittings or metal objects are the most dangerous, and although breakage is rare, they can easily tear through most cages that have been installed over test beds.