S H AC K L E I N S P E C T I O N C H E C K L I S T :

S I X I TE M S TO I N S P E C T BE FO R E US E

Improper use or care of shackles can result in serious accidents that not only
injure employees but damage property as well. To avoid this, shackle
inspection is critical. In accordance with ASME B30.26, shackles should be
visually inspected before every use.

If any of these six conditions are apparent during

shackle inspection, the shackle should be discarded
and replaced.
Condition 1:
Any part of the shackle is worn more than 10 percent of the original
dimensions. If this happens, it typically means that the physical size of the
shackle is smaller, therefore it cannot handle the rated load and becomes
dangerous to use.

Example of a Worn Shackle

Condition 2:
The shackle has excessive pitting, corrosion, nicks or gouges. If a
shackle has excessive pitting, that is usually a sign of corrosion. When this
happens, material is being lost and the shackle dimensionally becomes
smaller. Therefore, it cannot handle its rated capacity. Similarly, nicks and
gouges are an intrusion on the original dimensions of the shackle and create a
stress raiser on the shackle. Material is moved or removed from the shackle,
making it smaller in size and unable to handle the rated load.

Condition 3:
Load bearing components are bent, twisted, distorted, stretched,
elongated, cracked or broken.

Example of a Bent Shackle

Condition 4:
Indication of heat damage. When shackles are manufactured, they go
through a heat treatment process. Therefore, being exposed to heat in the
field can reverse that process and weaken the shackle. Heat damage can be
difficult to see, but there are a few key items to look for:

 Blue or straw discoloration of the shackle material

 Weld spatter. When weld spatter lands on the shackle, the heat from
that molten dot of metal is immediately transferred to the shackle,
changing the properties of that shackle.

Condition 5:
Missing or illegible manufacturer’s name or trademark, working load
limit or size. Every CM shackle is forged with the CM logo, its body or
diameter size, trace code, USA, “Forged” and its specified working load
limit. These markings should be visible on the shackle.

Condition 6:
Load pins are bent or have visibly damaged threads. When load pins are
bent, the pin has gone past its elastic limit. If the product continues to be
used, there is a higher chance of a dropped load, which can injure operators
and cause property damage. Damaged threads mean that the pin is not
making 100% engagement with the shackle. This can lead to a failure of the
shackle.

For more information on shackle inspection and safe shackle use, check out
the following: