What is the proper action for a damaged hook before reuse?

• A. Remove from service, tag out, and repair or replace per manufacturer instructions.
• B. Continue to use for light lifts only.
• C. Sand and repaint the hook.
• D. Use only after 30-minute cooldown.

Answer: (A)

Damaged hooks are safety-critical components, so they must not be reused until they've been properly taken out of service and handled according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove the hook from service, apply a tag to prevent use, and have it repaired or replaced only as allowed by the manufacturer. This ensures any defects are evaluated by a qualified person and that the hook’s strength rating is maintained or updated if a replacement is required. Hiding damage with repainting, attempting to reuse for lighter tasks, or delaying action until a future time can lead to sudden failure and dropped loads, which is why those options aren’t appropriate. If a hook is damaged, its repair or replacement is determined by the manufacturer’s procedures and the equipment’s maintenance requirements, and the hook should be re-inspected and re-certified before return to service.