TECHNICAL ARTICLES

In-depth articles from the Ranger technical team on the calculations, standards and on-site practice behind safe lifting and rigging. Each article references the current Australian Standards and is written for riggers, doggers, supervisors and inspectors. New articles are added regularly – bookmark this page or follow Ranger on LinkedIn to catch each release.


Two-leg chain slings rigged to a spreader beam lifting concrete sleepers under a gantry crane

Sling Angle De-rating and WLL:The calculation every rigger needs to get right

Included angle vs half angle, how leg tension grows with angle, the fixed loading factors in AS 3775.2:2014 and the 120° hard limit.

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Cast-in lifting anchor under proof-load test with a hydraulic pull tester

Eyebolt WLL and Angular Loading:Why the number on the tag isn’t the number you can lift

How angular loading cuts an eyebolt’s working load limit, and what the standard requires before you lift off-axis.

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WLL 200T forged into the bow of a large shackle

WLL vs SWL:What changed in Australia and what it means for your gear

Why Australian Standards moved from SWL to WLL, whether SWL-stamped gear can stay in service, and what a PCBU must be able to show.

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Corroded pad eye on a vessel deck tagged out of service

When to Remove Lifting Equipment From Service:What takes it off the hook, and what happens next

When lifting gear has to come off the hook, how to quarantine it properly, and what happens once it has been condemned.

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Galvanised bow shackle showing its stamped WLL and grade markings

Shackle Misuse:The five things riggers get wrong and why they matter

The most common shackle errors seen on site – side loading, pin engagement, wrong grade – and the failure modes they cause.

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Close-up of a worn wire rope showing broken outer wires

Wire Rope Discard Criteria:How to know when your wire rope is done

The six discard triggers – broken wires, diameter reduction, corrosion, distortion, outer wire wear and combined faults – and which Australian Standard applies to your rope.

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Wire rope running over a sheave

D/d Ratio Explained:How bending a sling reduces its capacity

What D and d actually are, why a tight bend costs capacity, the ratios for chain, wire rope and synthetics – and why the problem is usually at the shackle, not the load.

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Ranger lifting inspector checking equipment on a deck above Sydney Harbour

Difference between a Dogger and a Qualified Lifting Inspector

WHS licensing, LEEA training pathways and which Australian Standards govern the inspection of lifting equipment.

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Standards referenced in these articles are current as at the time of publication. Always confirm against the current edition of the applicable Australian Standard before specifying equipment.