If you’ve ever worked in construction, heavy manufacturing, marine logistics, or any field where loads of multiple tons move day in and day out, you know rigging chains aren’t just another piece of hardware. To me—someone who’s been supplying high-performance rigging chains for over a decade—they’re the unsung heroes of every safe lift, every structural move, and every shipment that arrives on time. That’s why I want to pull back the curtain on something I talk about with every new customer, every time we walk through a load plan: rigging chains aren’t a set-it-and-forget-it tool. They require specialized handling from the minute they leave our warehouse, all the way through to their final use and retirement. Skipping those steps doesn’t just increase wear and tear—it creates serious safety risks that no team can afford. Rigging Chains
Let’s start with the part most people don’t think about when they first get their chains: receiving and initial inspection. I’ve had customers call me in a panic before, saying their new set of grade 80 chains arrived at the site with rust spots or links that feel slightly off when they pull them apart. The thing is, even when we package our chains to strict ISO standards, rough transportation or improper on-site storage before use can damage them long before they ever touch a load. Special handling here starts the second the driver drops them off, and it’s not just about taking them off the pallet—you have to unpack them in a dry, covered space immediately. Leaving a stack of rigging chains out in a rainstorm for even a few hours can cause surface corrosion, which eats away at the high-tensile steel we use. Worse, that corrosion isn’t always visible right away; it can seep into the links, weakening the molecular structure without changing the chain’s appearance.
Then comes the initial inspection step, and this is where specialized handling gets specific. It’s not just running your eye over the links. We provide every order with a certified test certificate, and you should never put a chain into service without cross-referencing that certificate with every link’s stamp. Each grade 80 or 100 chain has a unique stamp that tells you its load capacity, grade, and manufacturing batch. If those stamps are missing, faded, or don’t match the certificate, that’s a red flag. But it’s not just about matching paperwork. You have to lay the entire chain out straight (no coiling, no twisting) and check for kinks, bent links, or any sign of stretch. Coiling a new chain when you unload it might seem like an easy way to store it, but that twisting puts permanent stress on the links’ welds, which is a big no-no for load-bearing equipment. I’ve seen a 5-ton chain fail during its first lift because a rigger coiled it improperly after delivery, twisting the master link so much that its weld cracked—thankfully no one was hurt, but that could have been a disaster.
Once the chain is actually in use, the specialized handling doesn’t stop—it’s actually more critical. Load test matches are the biggest rule here, and it’s one I drill into every customer. Rigging chains are rated for a specific Working Load Limit (WLL), and that WLL is non-negotiable. But here’s the part most people overlook: that WLL is only for vertical lifts, with no side loading. If you’re using a chain to drag a load, or pulling at an angle that creates horizontal force, you have to adjust that WLL accordingly. Grade 80 chains, for example, have a reduced WLL when angled beyond 15 degrees. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a customer say, “This is a 10-ton chain, so it can lift 10 tons no matter what”—that’s a mistake waiting to happen. Special handling here means doing the math on your lift plan before you even touch the chain, not after you’re hooked up and ready to hoist.
Another key point for in-use handling is how you attach the chain to other equipment. Never use a chain to wrap directly around a load, for example—always use a protective pad or a soft sling between the chain and the load edge. Sharp corners or rough surfaces can nick the chain links, creating stress points that will snap under load. Even a small nick, less than 10% of the link’s diameter, is enough to reduce the chain’s capacity by 20% or more. I’ve had customers bring in chains that looked perfect on the outside but had tiny, unnoticeable nicks from a steel beam edge, and those nicks were the root cause of their lift failure. Special handling here means taking the extra 30 seconds to pad the load, not just hooking up and going.
Storage is another area where specialized handling makes a huge difference, and it’s one that gets skipped all the time. Storing rigging chains on the ground, exposed to dirt, moisture, or chemicals, is a recipe for corrosion and damage. We always recommend storing them on elevated racks, off the floor, in a locked, dry space. If you have to store them outdoors for any reason (though we always advise against it), you need to cover them completely with a waterproof tarp, and add a layer of corrosion inhibitor if they’ll be out for more than a week. Also, never store different grade chains together without separating them. Grade 100 chains, for example, are much stronger than grade 70, and if they’re stacked on top of each other, the lower grade links can get crushed or scratched by the higher grade ones. That cross-contamination isn’t just about mixing parts—it’s about weakening the entire chain set without you even knowing.
Then there’s regular maintenance and inspection, which is a specialized handling step that needs to be formalized, not just done once a month. We tell every customer to do a pre-use inspection before every lift, no matter how small the load. That means checking every link for stretch, cracks, corrosion, or bent pins. Stretch is a big one; a chain that stretches more than 2% of its original length is no longer safe to use and needs to be retired. You can check this easily by measuring a 10-link section of the chain and comparing it to the manufacturer’s original length (we include that in every test certificate). If it’s longer, retire the chain. Also, never try to repair a rigging chain yourself—welding a link or bending a bent link back into shape is a violation of OSHA standards and will compromise the chain’s strength. Only the original manufacturer can perform certified repairs, and even then, some chains are not repairable. Special handling here means setting a strict schedule for not just pre-use checks, but also formal annual inspections by a certified rigger. That inspection should include non-destructive testing (NDT) like magnetic particle testing or ultrasonic testing, which can find internal damage that’s not visible to the naked eye.
One area that’s become more important lately is handling rigging chains in extreme conditions. If you’re working in cold environments, temperatures below -40°F can make high-tensile steel brittle, reducing the chain’s WLL by up to 25%. If you’re working in hot environments, above 200°F, that steel can lose strength too. Special handling here means checking the chain’s rating for temperature extremes before you use it in these conditions. We mark all our chains with temperature ratings, and we always advise customers not to use a general-purpose grade 80 chain in temperatures outside its specified range. Also, in coastal or saltwater environments, you need to use marine-grade rigging chains, which are coated or made with corrosion-resistant steel. Regular cleaning after each use with fresh water is non-negotiable here—salt residue will eat through even the toughest coating if left on for days.
I also want to talk about retirement, because that’s a handling step that’s often ignored. Many teams will keep using a chain long after it’s unsafe, thinking it’s “good enough” for light loads. But rigging chains have a lifecycle, and there are clear signs that it’s time to retire them. Any chain with a broken weld, a link that’s elongated more than 5%, visible cracks, or corrosion that’s more than 10% of the link’s cross-section should be retired immediately. Also, if a chain has been involved in a load that exceeded its WLL (even if it didn’t fail), it needs to be removed from service and inspected. You can’t assume it’s fine just because it didn’t snap. Special handling here means having a formal retirement process, not just tossing the old chain in the back of the storage shed. We recommend disposing of retired chains by cutting them up and marking them as unsafe, so no one accidentally grabs them for a future lift.
Over the years, I’ve seen too many accidents that could have been avoided with proper specialized handling of rigging chains. Last year, a customer of mine had a lift failure on a construction site that injured two workers. When we looked into the chain, it turned out they had stored it outside for three months, covered in a tarp that had a hole in it, leading to internal corrosion that weakened the links. They also had used it at an angle that exceeded its WLL, which pushed it beyond its limit. It was a perfect storm of small, avoidable mistakes that all stemmed from skipping specialized handling steps.
Rigging isn’t just about the chains—it’s about the process, and every step from delivery to retirement matters. As a supplier, we don’t just sell chains; we sell knowledge, and we work with every customer to make sure they understand the specialized handling required to keep their teams safe and their operations running smoothly. If you’re working with rigging chains, don’t cut corners on handling. Take the time to inspect on delivery, calculate load limits correctly, store them properly, and follow a regular maintenance schedule. These steps aren’t optional—they’re part of what makes rigging chains reliable, and what keeps everyone on site coming home safe at the end of the day.
If you’re working on a new project, need to replace old chains, or want to learn more about proper handling for your specific application, I’d be happy to walk through your needs and help you find the right solution. Reach out to discuss your rigging chain requirements and how we can support your team’s safety and efficiency.
Clothes Rack References
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.184: Sling Safety Requirements.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), B30.9: Standard for Slings.
- Rigging Industry Association (RIA), Recommended Practices for the Inspection, Maintenance, and Use of Alloy Steel Chain Slings.
- ASTM International, A952/A952M: Standard Specification for Alloy Steel Chain Slings for Lifting Purposes.
- National Association of Chain Manufacturers (NACM), Best Practices for Rigging Chain Handling and Storage.
Pujiang Shenli Chain Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 18, Zaifeng Road, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province
E-mail: Chen@shenlichain.com
WebSite: https://www.chainshenli.com/
