All rigging equipment including slings, shackles, hooks, and connections must be manufactured, inspected, and used in accordance with standards. Wire rope slings must have a minimum breaking strength of 5 times the safe working load (SWL) and must not have kinks, bird-cages, or other defects. Wire rope must be inspected by a trained person before each use and defective rope must be immediately removed from service. Chain slings must be Grade 80 alloy steel minimum and must not be welded or repaired by the user. Each link must be visually inspected for cracks, stretching, or corrosion. Synthetic web slings must be inspected for tears, abrasion, burns, or deterioration of the material. The rated capacity must be marked on all slings and must never be exceeded. Shackles must be of proper size and type for the application and must be equipped with retaining pins or clips to prevent accidental release. Hooks must have a safety latch to prevent loads from slipping. Eye bolts must have a minimum length of thread equal to the diameter of the bolt and must be rated for the load. Rigging hardware must be identified with rated capacity and must be removed from service if damaged or capacity is unknown. All personnel involved in rigging operations must be trained and certified as qualified riggers. Weight estimation training ensures accurate load calculations. Rigging plans must be developed for complex lifts to ensure safe execution and coordination between all participants.