What should be done with damaged or worn rigging equipment?

The correct course of action with damaged or worn rigging equipment is to replace or repair it immediately. This approach is crucial to maintaining safety standards in any rigging operation. Using damaged equipment increases the risk of failure, which can lead to serious accidents, injuries, or even fatalities, as the integrity of the gear that supports loads is compromised.

Immediate replacement or repair not only protects the safety of personnel involved in rigging tasks but also ensures that the equipment functions as intended without risking unexpected mechanical failures. Regular inspections and maintenance should be part of standard operating procedures; however, once damage or wear is detected, taking swift action to either repair or replace the equipment is the most responsible and safest decision. Other options, such as using the equipment with caution or storing it for future reference, can lead to dangerous situations as they ignore the potential risks associated with continued use of compromised gear.