⛓️ Slings, Rigging & Wire Rope
Master Link and Lifting Tackle Inspection & Certification in Saudi Arabia
A master link is the large forged ring or pear-shaped link that gathers the legs of a multi-leg sling and connects them to the crane hook, with sub-links and couplers joining the chain or wire rope legs beneath it. Lifting tackle is the broader term used on Saudi industrial sites and client projects for the complete set of slings, links, shackles, hooks and other accessories used on a lift. The master link carries the full combined load, so wear, deformation or a mismatch with the hook and legs is a high-consequence defect that a third-party examiner is trained to find.
What we inspect on a master link and lifting tackle
- ✓Wear at the inside bearing points where the hook and legs sit, measured against the original section
- ✓Link for elongation, ovality, bending or twisting from overload
- ✓Welds, where present, and forged radii for cracks, using magnetic particle inspection where indicated
- ✓Sub-links and coupling components for correct size, wear and free movement
- ✓Marking showing WLL, grade, size and manufacturer or traceability code
- ✓Compatibility of the master link with the crane hook and the sling legs, so the hook sits freely and leg angle ratings are respected
- ✓Complete tackle set confirmed as rated, tagged, certified and entered in the lifting tackle register
- ✓Corrosion, heat exposure, grooving and sharp edges caused by contact with the hook or chain
Common defects we find
- ✓Worn or flattened inside bearing area on the link
- ✓Elongated or ovalised link after overload
- ✓Cracks at welds or at the forged radii
- ✓Master link too small for the hook or for the number of legs, forcing the legs to bunch up
- ✓Missing marking, or no entry in the tackle register
Risks of operating uncertified
- ✓Failure of the master link releases every leg at once, so the entire load is lost.
- ✓Mismatched components or uncontrolled leg angles can reduce the real capacity of the assembly below the weight of the lift.
- ✓Mixed or unregistered tackle makes it impossible to trace capacity and last examination date, which leads to audit failures and a higher chance of an unsafe lift.
Testing, standards & frequency
Load / performance test
Where required, new or repaired master links and sub-assemblies are proof tested, typically at around twice the working load limit depending on the standard and client, and completed multi-leg assemblies are checked afterwards for permanent deformation.
Inspection interval
Typically at least annually for each item, with the tackle register updated at every examination and re-inspection before major or critical lifts where site rules require it.
Standards referenced
- ASME B30.26 (Rigging Hardware)
- ASME B30.9 (Slings)
- EN 1677-4 (Components for slings - Links, Grade 8)
- Saudi Aramco General Instructions (GI), where applicable
Part of our Lifting Equipment Inspection & Load Testing service. You receive an inspection report, Certificate of Conformity and inspection tag for passing equipment.
Industries using this equipment
FAQs
What is the difference between a master link and a master link assembly?＋
A master link is the single top ring. A master link assembly includes the master link plus the sub-links and legs connected to it, such as two, three or four chain or wire rope legs, and its rating depends on the angle of those legs.
What is a lifting tackle register and do I need one?＋
It is a controlled list of all slings, links, shackles and other accessories, with ID numbers, certificate references, WLL, examination dates and status. Many clients and main contractors expect one on site, because it makes it easy to confirm that every item on a lift is valid.