What defect found during an inspection would necessitate removing a wire rope sling from service?

The presence of ten broken wires in one lay of a wire rope sling is a critical threshold that mandates removal from service. This standard is established to ensure safety and reliability when using wire rope slings in lifting operations. The rationale behind this threshold is that the structural integrity of the sling can be compromised after a certain number of broken wires.

When a sling has ten broken wires in one lay, it indicates significant wear or damage that could lead to failure during lifting operations. This helps maintain stringent safety standards for rigging practices, reducing the risk of accidents caused by equipment failure.

Even though instances with fewer broken wires are concerning, the specific threshold of ten is a recognized maximum limit in rigging guidelines; therefore, the decision to remove the sling at this point is based on established safety criteria. It's essential for riggers to routinely inspect slings for wear, damage, and deformation, and adhere to these guidelines to ensure safety in all lifting operations.