Which of the following is a common sign of wire rope damage?

• A. Rope length accuracy measurement.
• B. The rope being warm to touch.
• C. Broken strands, corrosion, kinks, crushed wires, bird-caging, wear, or distortion.
• D. Minor scratches on the surface of the rope.

Answer: (C)

Wire rope damage is identified most reliably by visible, structural changes to the rope that reduce its strength. The signs listed—broken strands, corrosion, kinks, crushed wires, bird-caging, wear, or distortion—are all fundamental indicators that the rope’s internal structure has been compromised and its capacity to carry load has diminished. Each sign points to a specific failure mode: broken strands remove load-carrying paths; corrosion weakens metal; kinks or distortion indicate permanent bending or misalignment; crushed wires show compression damage; bird-caging reveals loosely held strands that can lead to sudden rope failure; wear and distortion reflect material loss and deformation along the rope’s length. These signs are what inspectors look for to assess whether the rope is still safe to use.

Rope length accuracy measurement doesn’t indicate damage to the rope’s strength or integrity. The rope being warm to touch can result from normal operation, heavy loading, or friction, but it isn’t a definitive sign of damage by itself. Minor scratches on the surface are superficial and don’t reliably reflect the rope’s structural condition or safety-critical integrity. If any of the damaging signs are observed, stop using the rope and have it inspected by a qualified person.