R 408.40835 Natural and synthetic fiber rope; specifics.

Rule 835. (1) A natural or synthetic fiber rope used for hoisting, lowering, or pulling shall consist of 1 continuous piece without a knot or splice, except an eye splice at the end of the rope. (2) An eye splice for manila rope shall contain not less than 3 full tucks, and short splices shall contain not less than 6 full tucks, 3 on each side of the splice center line. (3) An eye splice for stranded synthetic fiber rope shall contain not less than 4 full tucks, and short splices shall contain not less than 8 full tucks, 4 on each side of the splice center line. An eye splice for other types of synthetic fiber rope shall be made as prescribed by the rope manufacturer. (4) An eye splice for natural or synthetic fiber rope shall be of a size to provide an interior angle at the splice of not more than 60 degrees when the eye is placed over the load or support. (5) A natural or synthetic fiber rope eye shall be equipped with a thimble if the eye is placed over or around an object with a sharp corner. (6) Strand end tails from an eye splice shall not be trimmed flush with the surface of the rope immediately adjacent to the full tucks. This applies to both eye and short splices and all types of fiber rope. (a) Tails from an eye splice for a fiber rope less than 1-inch in diameter shall project not less than 6 rope diameters beyond the last full tuck. (b) Tails from the eye splice for fiber rope 1-inch or more in diameter shall project not less than 6 inches beyond the last full tuck. (c) Projecting tails may be tapered and spliced into the body of the rope using not less than 2 additional tucks, which shall require a tail length of approximately 6 rope diameters beyond the last full tuck or they may be taped or wired down. (7) A natural or synthetic rope shall not be used for load carrying service if any of the following apply: (a) It is frozen or has been subjected to corrosive chemicals or extreme temperatures. (b) It has begun to unravel. (c) It has external abrasions, cuts, or broken fibers, decay, burns, softness, or variation in size or roundness. (d) It has internal presence of grit, broken fibers, mildew or mold, color change, powdering, or loose fibers. (8) Natural or synthetic rope shall not be used if there is exposure to corrosive substances, chemicals, or heat.