What is the proper handling of defective rigging components and hardware?

• A. Washed
• B. Destroyed
• C. Repaired
• D. Recycled

Answer: (B)

When rigging components are defective, the safe and proper action is to destroy them so they cannot be reused. This prevents a compromised part from entering service again, which could lead to sudden failure under load and serious injury or damage. Washing the part might hide cracks or deformation, and repairing it can alter its strength and still leave it unsafe to use. Recycling or reusing a damaged part does not guarantee its integrity, so those options aren’t appropriate. By destroying the defective item, you remove the risk of accidental reintroduction into a rigging system. In practice, remove the item from service, tag it as Do Not Use, and dispose of it per your organization’s destruction or scrap policy.