NASCLA Accredited Commercial General ContractorMetalsEasy
A steel erector is positioning a heavy plate girder for a bridge deck. To maintain control and prevent rotation of the girder during the lift and placement, personnel are using ropes attached to the girder. What are these ropes commonly called, and what is their primary function?
- ASafety lanyards, for fall protection of the erectors.
- BTag lines, for controlling load orientation and swing.
- CGuy wires, for permanent structural support.
- DWinch cables, for adjusting the height of the lift.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Tag lines, for controlling load orientation and swing.
Tag lines are non-conductive ropes attached to a hoisted load, such as a plate girder, to allow ground personnel to guide and control its orientation and prevent uncontrolled swinging or rotation during lifting and placement, enhancing safety and accuracy.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Safety lanyards are personal protective equipment for fall arrest and are worn by workers, not attached to the load for control.
- C. Guy wires are typically used for permanent or semi-permanent structural support of masts, towers, or columns, not for temporary load control during a lift.
- D. Winch cables are part of the crane's hoisting mechanism and are used to raise or lower the load, not to manually control its orientation.
Tag Lines
Ropes (typically non-conductive) attached to a suspended load during lifting operations, used by ground personnel to control the load's orientation, prevent rotation, and guide it into position.
- Enhance safety by preventing uncontrolled load movement.
- Allow precise positioning of heavy or awkward loads.
- Should be non-conductive if working near power lines.
Memory trick: Tag Lines: Take A Grip, Guide, Guard.