Wedged Ferrule enquiry

FISA has received a skidding query.

Is this suitable for the end stop on a skidding wire rope? Should the rope snap the wedge ferrule is light enough to fly off but heavy enough to do some serious damage.

Research shows that this item is sold in UK and North America as an end termination on winch lines.

This wedged ferrule is being used to terminate the winch line in some UK skidding operations. There have been no recorded failures of this equipment to HSE.

The wedge ferrule must be of the correct size for the wire rope. The extract below is from Wallingford’s Inc. catalogue logging and industrial supplier in North America.

We are reminded that skidding winch accessories do not, and should not, be marked with a SWL as this is only required for lifting equipment/accessories.

FISA 502 Extraction by skidder states:

• All ropes should be terminated in a suitable way such as splicing, soft eye loops or swaging – do not use knots.
• Firmly attach all connections are firmly attached before use.