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Safe Use of Fibre Ropes Guide

The document provides information on rope types and their safe working loads. It discusses natural fibre ropes like manila and sisal as well as synthetic ropes such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. For each fibre type, it lists the pros and cons. The document also gives guidelines for safe rope use and storage, including keeping ropes dry and away from chemicals, regularly inspecting them, and reducing rope strength when knots are used. It emphasizes the importance of reducing rope loads based on the knots, bends or hitches used.

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10 views3 pages

Safe Use of Fibre Ropes Guide

The document provides information on rope types and their safe working loads. It discusses natural fibre ropes like manila and sisal as well as synthetic ropes such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. For each fibre type, it lists the pros and cons. The document also gives guidelines for safe rope use and storage, including keeping ropes dry and away from chemicals, regularly inspecting them, and reducing rope strength when knots are used. It emphasizes the importance of reducing rope loads based on the knots, bends or hitches used.

Uploaded by

Anonymous edQC0W
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Glenn Cockwell's Notes on Ropes

Working Loads
Safe Work Loads of Fibre Ropes
3-Strand Ropes Safety factor = 5
(new rope)
Rope Diameter
(cm/inches)

Manila

Nylon

Kg.

Polypropylene

Kg.

Polyester

Kg.

Kg.

Polyethylene
Kg.

0.64 (1/4")

54

136

113

136

114

0.79 (5/16")

90

227

182

227

159

0.95 (3/8")

122

317

227

318

227

1.27 (1/2")

239

567

377

545

363

1.59 (5/8")

400

908

590

863

477

1.91 (3/4")

490

1271

772

1090

681

2.22 (7/8")

699

1725

999

1544

953

2.54 (1")

817

2179

1317

1907

1135

Types of Fibre Ropes


Fibre ropes are made from either natural or synthetic fibres.
Pros
Natural Fibres

Resistant to heat
Do not burn fast
Hold simple knots

Manila
Sisal

Sunlight resistant

Cons

Weakens when exposed


to sunlight

Poor handling when wet

Pros
Synthetic Fibres

Nylon

Susceptible to rot and


mildew
Shrink and stiffen when
wet

Cons

Slippery when wet

Strongest of all fibres

Highly elastic and will


elongate 10% to 40%
High abrasion
resistance

Lose 10% of their


strength when wet
Very slippery when wet

Stronger x3 than
Natural fibres
Impervious to rot and
mildew
Lighter
Do not stiffen when wet

Attacked by acids and


paints
Dangerous when it
snaps under load
Susceptible to heat and

sunlight
Polypropylene

Light
Floats on water
Will not conduct
electricity when dry

Polyethylene

Polyester

Resistant to acids and


alkalis

Lower stretch properties


than nylon
No strength loss when
wet
High resistance to
sunlight and weather
Resistant to acids and
alkali

Weaker than polyester


and nylon
Weakens progressively
when temperatures rise
(+65C)
Low melting point
Weakest of synthetic
fibres
Softens with rising
temperatures
Weaker than nylon
under shock load

Safe use and storage


All ropes should be kept dry and away from chemicals

Never overload a rope


A frozen rope should be carefully allowed to thaw and dry before use
A rope should never be dragged over the ground or sharp objects
Avoid abrupt bends if possible as they weaken rope considerably. Pad all
sharp corners
Synthetic ropes can be slippery when wet or new. Use additional care
when handling or tying knots
Store ropes in a cool dry place with good ventilation. Hang loose coils over
a peg
Dry and clean wet rope before storing. Allow them to dry naturally, as too
much heat will make the fibres brittle.
Keep all ropes away from any source of heat.
Inspect ropes regularly for extreme wear and cuts
Untwist strands carefully and check for bright clean internal conditions

Pull out a couple of fibres from the end of a rope and try to break them. If
they break easily then the rope should not be used when safety is
required.
Knots, Bends, and Hitches
All knots bends and hitches reduce the strength of rope
Knots and bends by 50%
Hitches reduce by 25%
Splices by 20%
Monofilament ropes such as polyethylene and polypropylene require special knots
to prevent slipping
Cutting Ropes:
Wrap tape around rope at the cutting point and then cut through the tape.

Information taken from a pamphlet issued by the Canada Safety Council and from information shipped with Lehigh
rope.

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