lowering equipment

[bob]

do i have to use steel carabinas

[Mr Ed]

Not sure, But I sure would'nt like to drop the kind of pieces I do onto ally... I've seen a steel Kong crab straightened like a piece of wire under an impact load.

[Steve Bullman]

i use a mixture, but if rigging big wood make a point of definetly using metal

i think the key thing is to make sure you're not using metal on ali

[MattyF]

I would stay it was pretty important to use steel on lowering kit ,the ally ones make a good saw hook when they blow out though,just bend the gate back around and it will stay open and sit nice on your belt....

[RPA]

Cant remember what our instructor said on 41 last year. Think it was advised steel only and check the working load.

One thing he did say was that a lot of people use the wrong shaped crab on swing ch pullies. Use oval not D cos it spreads the load even onto both sides of the crab.

[bob]

i have always used steel and thought i had to even on lightweight stuff and yes i have still bent some but my question is do i HAVE to

[Steve Bullman]

pity pete isnt here, his internet is down. as a loler inspector i would think he would have the answer. If i had to guess i'd say the answer would be dependant on the scenario and would be covered in your risk assessment.

[bob]

i am also a loler inspector but have looked through stuff and cant find any thing that says it does have to be steel have also spoken with pete and he is unsure weather steel has to be used or just recomended

[Steve Bullman]

Nod would know, maybe he'll chime in

[Steve Bullman]

now i think about it....aluminium rigging pulleys are available....and seeings as using a steel krab with an ali pulley is a big no no, that would suggest to me its OK to use ali