Correct specification of shackles

Further to reports of counterfeit shackles appearing in West African and European markets (see Safety Flash 11/04 (Copies of Crosby shackles)), a member has reported ‘many counterfeit shackles and other lifting components appearing in the supply chain’. It has provided the following advice to all relevant personnel in the company and has asked IMCA to further disseminate this important information.

Such counterfeit components may not meet the rigorous standards which bona-fide products are manufactured to. These standards serve as the only guarantee to ensure consistency of steel and product performance. It is thus extremely important that shackles are procured against recognised standards applicable in the region of operation.

For example, in Europe and Africa, the following European standard is suggested when setting out a specification for purchasing shackles: EN 13889 – Forged Steel Shackles for General Lifting Purposes – D Shackles and Bow Shackles – Grade 6 – Safety.

It is strongly recommended to check with recognised manufacturers, who issue product data sheets for most of their lifting products in order to make it easier to identify the various safety features of the products manufactured against a particular standard.

The company recommends that the following personnel be made aware of this issue, to ensure that they always specify, buy and use genuine lifting components:

• all engineers who specify lifting components and assemblies;
• personnel engaged in purchasing;
• rigging personnel, i.e. those who use the components.

The company is also contacting its suppliers to ensure that they know exactly which manufacturing source/supply they obtain their shackles from, i.e. not just accepting at face value that all is correct because a supply company may be Europe/USA-based, as such a company could itself be inadvertently supplied with counterfeit products if rigorous checks are not made.