I. Purpose & Scope

To safely and effectively provide instruction on the inspection and proper use of plate eyes.

II. Definitions

Standard PPE – High Viz Garment, Hard Hat, Z-87.1 Safety Glasses, Gloves, Pants, Work Boots

Rated Capacity / Rated Working Load – The load a single eye bolt can lift when the load is applied through the shank of the bolt. 

Standard Lift – When the load is pulled completely vertically or perpendicular to the shank of the eye bolt. Also known or referred to as a 0 degree lift. 

III. Process

NOTE: Work instruction does not supplement the manual. For specific instructions for the exact model please refer to the owner’s manual.

A. Potential Hazards

• Falling Objects Hazard
• Pinch Point Hazard

B. PPE

• Standard PPE

C. Inspection

1.  Inspect for elongated or bent eye section.
2. Inspect for elongated or bent shank. 
3. Inspect for nicks and gouges. 
4. Inspect for obvious wear. 
5. Inspect for signs of having been ground, cut, heat, welded, repaired or modified in any way. 
6. Check for worn, corroded and/or distorted threads. 
7. Check for cracks found by non-destructive testing. 
8. Check for absence of sufficient identifying markings. 
9. If any of these conditions above exist, the lifting eye bolt should be removed form service and replaced. Also, any eye bolt should be removed from service and replaced when the manufacturer’s identifying marks are no longer readily identifiable to guarantee proper reference for continued safe usage. 
10. Always inspect and clean the eye bolt threads and the hole before using. 
11. The receiving hole should be counter-sunk and be free and clear of any debris to assure proper seating. 

D. Use

Installation 

1. Loads should always be aligned to the plane of the eye, not at an angle to the plane. A steel washer or spacer may be used in conjunction with should eye bolts to attain proper load alignment. The thickness of the steel washer or spacer must not exceed one thread pitch. 
2. Ensure all hardware and rigging equipment that will be attached to the eye bolt will fit comfortably into the eye and able to function properly. 
3. Check seating after applying an angular lift since the initial lift may cause the bolt to back away from the load. If such occurs, the eye bolt should be unloaded and properly reseated. 
4. For applications with untapped through-holes, longer length should eye bolts should be used, using a steel washer and nut for the required thread length of engagement. 
5. Should eye bolt tapped holes are to have a threaded length, which allows for full length of shank engagement and clearance for the unthreaded portion of shank. 
6. Shoulder eye bolts must be firmly seated and flush against the mating surface; otherwise, the rated capacity is reduced significantly. The use of a steel washer or spacer is permissible and my be required; however, the thickness must not exceed one thread pitch. 
7. Plain Eye bolt tapped holes are to be threaded for full-length engagement of the eye bolt. 
8. Plain Eye bolts must have full thread shank engagement, allowing for one-half turn for proper eye-alignment to obtain rated capacities. 
9. Orient the eye bolt in line with the slings. If the load is applied sideways the bolt may bend. 
10. Pack washers between the shoulder and the load surface to ensure that the eye bolt firmly contacts the surface. Ensure that the nut is properly torqued. 
11. Engage at least 90% of threads in receiving a hole when using shims or washers. 
12. Never attach more than one sling leg to an eye bolt. 
13. Always thread an eye bolt all the way down and ensure proper seating. 
14. Ensure the tapped hole for a screw eye bolt (body bolts) has a minimum depth of one-and-a-half times the bolt diameter. 
15. Install the should at right angles to the axis of the hole. The shoulder should be in full contact with the surface of the object being lifted. 

Rated Capacity and Angular Lifts

1. Non-shouldered eye bolts are only designed to be used for completely vertical lifts. If lifting with slings at an angle or with any kind of angular loading, use a shouldered eye bolt. 
2. Ensure shouldered eye bolt is installed properly before applying any type of angular loading to it
3. As soon as a lift begins to occur at any angle the rated capacity of the eye bolt begins to diminish. The greater the angle the more drastically the rated capacity is reduced.
   • 5 degrees is 100% of rated working load
   • 15 degrees is 80% of rated working load
   • 30 degrees is 65% of rated working load
   • 45 degrees is 30% of rated working load
   • 46+ degrees is Not Recommended. 
4. As the sling angle becomes small the tension being placed on the eye bolt increases while the eye bolt capacity diminishes drastically. 
   (Example: When using a Crosby eye bolt with a tight sling angle of 30 degrees the tension applied to the eye bolts during the lift will be two times the weight of the load being lifted.)
5. Always use a shouldered eyebolt when performing angular lifts. 
6. Angular lifting using plain pattern eye bolts is not acceptable. 
7. The marking on the eye bolts represent the thread size, not necessarily their rated capacities. 
8. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications for rated capacity before conducting any lift. 
9. Angular lifts greater than 45 degrees from the shank centerline is not allowed. 
10. When more than one eye bolt is used to lift and evenly distributed load the capacity is reduced on each eye bolt, based on the angle of the load. 

Restrictions

1. Never force a sling through an eye bolt. 
2. Never over tighten an eye bolt. 
3. Never paint or color code an eye bolt. Painting may cover up critical flaws. 
4. Never force hooks or other fittings into the eye; they must fit freely. 
5. Never shock load an eye bolt, lifting should be completed slowly and gradually. 
6. Never use a single eyebolt to lift a load that will rotate freely. 
7.  Never use an eyebolt with signs of wear or any other flaw. 
8. Never insert a hook in an eye bolt, always use a shackle. 
9. Never exceed the rated capacity of an eye bolt. 
10. Never alter an eye bolt. Grinding, machining, stamping or altering in anyway may compromise the strength and integrity of the eye bolt. 

E. Maintenance

1. Clean the eye bolt threads and the hole after each use before storing.