What is the risk of using damaged or altered rigging?

Using damaged or altered rigging poses a significant risk because it may fail under load, which can lead to catastrophic accidents. Rigging equipment is designed to withstand specific loads and stresses. When rigging is compromised, whether it be through physical damage, wear and tear, or alterations that affect its integrity, its ability to support weight safely becomes unpredictable.

Such failures can result in dropped loads, which could harm workers, cause damage to property, or even lead to fatalities. The reliability of rigging equipment is paramount in ensuring safety on any job site, and using equipment that does not meet the established safety standards critically undermines these safety principles.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary dangers associated with damaged or altered rigging. Performance improvement is an unlikely outcome when rigging is damaged, and while overuse and poor fit can lead to issues, they do not present the immediate and severe risks associated with potential failure under load.