What is the consequence of a rope being overloaded beyond its limits?

Overloading a rope beyond its limits can lead to catastrophic failures, including breaking or permanent deformation. Every rope has a specified safe working load (SWL) or maximum load it can handle without risk of failure. When the weight or force applied to the rope exceeds this limit, the fibers or materials that make up the rope can no longer withstand the stress. This can result in immediate failure or gradual degradation in performance.

Breaking a rope can have serious safety implications, particularly in rigging and lifting operations where loads need to be controlled and managed safely. Understanding the tensile strength and weight capacities of ropes is fundamental for safe practices in rigging. Recognizing the limits and respecting them ensures safety for both personnel and equipment involved in hoisting or lifting operations.