Out of Service Conditions

“CAN THIS STRAP BE SAVED?”Or

“How to identify a cylinder tie down strap which shall be removed from service.”

Cylinder tie down straps shall be inspected prior to each use to determine if the webbing and hardware are safe for use.

Cylinder tie down straps with ANY visible defects that meet or exceed the limits as shown in this presentation SHALL be removed from service.

There is a significant difference in the Safe Working Load Limit between straps which are damaged and straps which are undamaged.

TIE-DOWN STRAPS HELP KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT ONLY IF YOU RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS

THAT MAY ARISE. THE KEMPER CORPORATION IS PLEASED TO WORK WITH PRAXAIR IN ASSURING THAT PERSONNEL

USE BEST PRACTICES FOR STRAPS.

Out of Service Conditions

The “Out of Service Conditions” we will discuss are:

Non functional hardwareTears or holes in webbingAbrasive wearCuts in webbing at hardwareUV degradationBroken or worn stitchingAbsence of Working Load Limit

Out of Service Conditions

• Ratchets which do not function shall be removed from service.

• Hardware which is corroded or excessively pitted shall be removed from service.

Non Functional Hardware

An oxygen safe lubricant shall be routinely applied to ratchets.

Out of Service Conditions

• Webbing which has tears of 3/8” depth on the edge of the webbing shall be removed from service.

Tears

Out of Service Conditions

See Chapter 9 of the CVSA Practical Cargo Securement.

The end of a BIC pen cap, as shown, is roughly equivalent to 3/8” (0.375)

What is an easy approximate measure of 3/8”?

Out of Service Conditions

• Webbing which has a hole or holes will be significantly weaker than undamaged webbing and shall be removed from service.

See Narrow Fabrics in Cargo Restraints Investigation of Failures and Improvements regarding test on webbing with holes by Steven I. Kelen Copyright 1996

Holes

Out of Service Conditions

Abrasive wear greatly reduces the strength of cylinder tie down straps. Straps with abrasive wear shall be removed from service.

Abrasive Wear

Out of Service Conditions

Cylinder straps wear prematurely when wrapped around cross members. In addition to reducing the strap’s life, abrasive wear

reduces the strap’s Safe Working Load Limit.

Factors Contributing to Abrasive Wear

Out of Service Conditions• The total defect in a strap is calculated by adding

together each defect on the strap edge and in the middle, along the full length of the strap. This includes any cuts, burnt areas, or holes on the strap.

• 3/8” total defects constitutes an out of service condition.

See Chapter 9 of the CVSA Practical Cargo Securement.

Remember, the end of a BIC pen cap, as shown, is roughly equivalent to 3/8” (0.375).

Out of Service Conditions

Kemper reinforces the contact point between the webbing and the hardware. When cuts appear in the webbing, the cylinder strap shall be taken out of service.

Cuts in Webbing at Hardware

Reinforced contact point. Cut in webbing

Out of Service Conditions

Cylinder tie down straps are made from polyester webbing which is subject to UV degradation. UV degradation is identified by increased stiffness in the webbing and abrasion in areas not normally in contact with the load. If a strap has signs of UV degradation, the strap shall be removed from service.

UV Degradation

Out of Service Conditions

The stitching shown below is an extreme example of broken or worn stitching. Any broken or worn stitching constitutes an out of service condition.

Broken or Worn Stitching

Out of Service Conditions

Each Praxair strap is imprinted with the 3,333# Safe Working Load Limit and tagged with a fabric tag indicating the Safe Working Load Limit. If you do not have either a tag OR imprint with the Safe Working Load Limit, the official allowed Safe Working Load Limit is reduced to 2,000#.

Absence of Working Load Limit

Out of Service Conditions

• It is essential to remember that the Safe Working Load Limit of 3,333 lbs. is based on new straps pulled in a straight line. Straps which exhibit out of service conditions have reduced strength and shall be removed from service.

Out of Service ConditionsIn review

In review, the “Out of Service Conditions” are:

NON FUNCTIONAL HARDWARE

TEARS OR HOLES IN WEBBING

ABRASIVE WEAR

CUTS IN WEBBING AT HARDWARE

UV DEGRADATION

BROKEN OR WORN STITCHING

Out of Service Conditions

• The initial defect may be small. However, every small damage is significant, because when the load is increased the defect increases in size, and the strap will break at the place of the defect.

• The breaking strength of the damaged piece is considerably less than the strength of the undamaged piece. At the time of the break, we cannot talk about small defects anymore. The defect becomes large when the break takes place.

• Please refer to page 33 of Narrow Fabrics in Cargo Restraints by Steven I. Kelen

Out of Service Conditions

The regulations require that you inspect cargo securement before you may drive a vehicle. You shall also inspect the cargo securement at regular intervals during vehicle operation. If you see any of the Out of Service Conditions, the straps SHALL be removed from service.

The preceding presentation was prepared by the Kemper Corporation as part of its continuing

effort to support safe practices.5 Clinton Place, West Haven CT 06516

Toll Free 877-447-8727 Phone 203-934-1600 kemperstraps@gmail.com