Proof Testing and Certification
PROOF TESTING & CERTIFICATION
Contact Us Regarding Certifying Equipment
D&A Wire Rope can proof test your equipment and certify that it is safe for continued use. We have a 50 Ton Pull Tester in our Austin, Texas facility and do our testing in house.
WHAT IS PROOF TESTING?
OSHA defines a proof test as a nondestructive tension test performed by the sling manufacturer or an equivalent entity to verify construction and workmanship of a sling. D&A Wire Rope proof tests equipment to determine that it is still functional as intended and capable of handling the intended working load limit (WLL). Proof testing typically places a controlled stress, equivalent to a specific multiple of the WLL on the equipment over a set period of time.
WHY SHOULD EQUIPMENT BE RECERTIFIED?
The safety of a sling depends primarily upon the remaining strength and no product can keep operating at its rated capacity indefinitely. Slings can sustain damage from continued use, misuse, and environmental factors. Proof-testing and certification of existing materials verifies that equipment is still performing at its required capacity.
WHAT ARE THE CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES?
A pre-test inspection is performed to disqualify equipment unsuitable for continued use. Items are visually inspected for signs of damage or deformation against a set of guidelines suitable to the particular equipment. Then, each item is tested to the appropriate load limit. This is typically double the certified WLL, but can vary depending on the particular rigging. A post-test inspection is performed to insure that the test did not damage the equipment. Each certified piece of equipment is newly tagged and provided with a test certificate that provides definitive information showing the loading and time tested. Equipment unable to pass inspection will not be certified.
CAN YOU PROVIDE A TAG FOR EQUIPMENT THAT IS MISSING ITS TAG?
Equipment missing a tag must first be recertified before it can be retagged. After certification equipment will be tagged.
WHAT IF THE EQUIPMENT CAN NOT BE RECERTIFIED?
Equipment that fails inspection can sometimes be repaired. If repair is not possible, then the item must be removed from service. A member of our team will contact you to discuss options if a piece of equipment does not pass inspection or fails proof-testing.
