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Why Your Equipment Supplier Should Act Like a Partner (Not a Vendor)

Why Your Equipment Supplier Should Act Like a Partner (Not a Vendor)   In industries where safety, uptime, and precision matter, your equipment supplier shouldn’t just fill orders—they should strengthen your operation. Yet too often, suppliers are treated—and...

Choosing the Right Rigging Gear: Why “Close Enough” Can Be Dangerous

In lifting and rigging, precision isn’t optional—it’s critical. Loads are heavy, environments are demanding, and the margin for error is slim. Yet one of the most common (and risky) habits on jobsites is settling for gear that’s “close enough.” A shackle that almost...

Before the Lift: The 7 Questions Every Rigger Should Ask

When it comes to lifting and rigging, what happens before the lift is just as important as the lift itself. Every safe, successful lift starts with planning. And yet, many lifting incidents aren’t caused by equipment failure—they’re caused by something being missed....

Partner Spotlight: Advantage Sales & Supply — Innovation and Quality in Lifting & Rigging Solutions

In the lifting and rigging industry, trust is earned through performance. The equipment used on jobsites every day must meet the highest expectations for strength, reliability, and safety. From construction sites to trenching operations and heavy industrial projects,...

Partner Spotlight: Harrington Hoists — Built on Trust, Proven by Time

Some partnerships aren’t defined by contracts or product lines — they’re defined by trust earned over time, shared standards, and a commitment to doing the work the right way. For more than 25 years, the team behind Harrington Hoists and CERTEX have worked side by...

The Difference Between Proof Testing and Break Testing — and When Each Is Required

In the lifting and rigging world, ensuring your equipment performs exactly as expected isn’t just a best practice — it’s a matter of safety, reliability, and compliance. Whether preparing for a heavy lift or certifying gear for daily use, you’ll encounter two main...

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: THERN — LIFTING THE INDUSTRY HIGHER

Not every company that helps the world move forward does it from the top of a skyscraper or a bustling city. Some do it from the heart of the Midwest — where integrity, ingenuity, and hard work have always been the foundation for progress.   For more than 75...

Top OSHA & ASME Rigging Requirements Every Crew Should Know (and How CERTEX Helps You Stay Compliant)

When a lift goes right, no one notices. When it goes wrong, everyone does. The fastest way to keep jobs on schedule—and people safe—is to build every lift around the basics: correct gear selection, verified capacity, documented inspections, and trained people. Below...

Rigging Failures in the News: What Went Wrong and How to Prevent It

In lifting and rigging operations, equipment failure can be just as deadly and disruptive as operator error. At CERTEX, we believe learning from these events is essential to building safer operations across the industry. This article examines a rigging hardware...

CERTEX Plays Key Role in Container Recovery at Port of Long Beach

When the Portugal-registered vessel Mississippi arrived at the Port of Long Beach from Yantian, China, on September 9, 2025, no one expected the routine docking to turn into one of the port’s most complex recovery efforts in years. Shortly after arrival at Pier G, the...

Strength You Can Count On: CERTEX Performs Load Testing on San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge Suspender Rope Assemblies

In partnership with Modjeski and Masters, Inc., TYLin, and Caltrans, the CERTEX USA Wilmington testing team recently completed a series of comprehensive load tests on the 2-1/4 in. diameter suspender rope assemblies for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge West Span....

HOW TO BUILD A CULTURE OF RIGGING SAFETY — BEYOND THE TOOLBOX TALK

  In the rigging and lifting industry, safety isn’t just a checklist item — it’s a shared mindset. While toolbox talks and safety briefings are essential, the most successful companies go beyond scheduled meetings. They build a culture where safety is second...

Partner Spotlight: Elephant – Where Family Values Meet Lifting Excellence

  When you walk into Elephant Lifting Products’ office in Gonzales, Louisiana—the “Jambalaya Capital of the World”—you won’t be greeted by elephants. Instead, you’re likely to be welcomed by their three friendly Labradors, Sophia, Abigail, and Momma. The office...

FIVE SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPLACE RIGGING EQUIPMENT

Rigging equipment is the backbone of safe lifting operations. Over time, even the toughest gear wears down, and the risks of ignoring those signs can be enormous. Knowing when to retire and replace your equipment is more than a compliance requirement—it’s about...

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RIGGING HARDWARE FOR THE JOB

Shackles, Slings, and Hooks Explained   When it comes to rigging, using the right hardware isn’t just a matter of efficiency—it’s a matter of safety. Whether you're lifting heavy loads on a construction site, in a manufacturing facility, or at sea, your choice of...

Partner Spotlight: CALDWELL — LIFTING THE IMPOSSIBLE

What do a towering dinosaur fossil, a NASA lunar lander, and a highly specialized cryomodule component from a particle accelerator have in common? They’ve all been safely lifted, rotated, or transported—thanks to Caldwell. For decades, Caldwell has been the trusted...

UNDERSTANDING LOAD LIMITS: DON’T GUESS, KNOW THE FACTS

  Why Load Limits Matter   When it comes to lifting, safety isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of every successful job. Guessing at a load’s weight or a piece of gear’s capacity can lead to catastrophic consequences: damaged equipment, costly downtime, and...

Historic Funnel Removal from the SS United States – CERTEX Plays a Key Role

On Friday, August 8, 2025, history was made in Mobile, Alabama, as the second and final smokestack—known as a “funnel”—was removed from the legendary SS United States. Towering six stories high, these massive funnels are the largest ever installed on a ship. The...

The Smart Choice: Why Testing and Repairing Rigging Equipment Pays Off

When it comes to rigging equipment, safety, reliability, and performance are non-negotiable. But replacing gear every time it shows signs of wear isn’t always the most practical—or cost-effective—solution. That’s where testing and repairing comes in. At CERTEX, we...

Seasonal Rigging Tips: How to Prep Your Gear for Extreme Weather

When you're lifting, hauling, or securing heavy loads, your rigging gear is only as good as its condition. Extreme temperatures—whether scorching summer heat or bone-chilling winter cold—can weaken equipment, cause premature wear, and even lead to failure if not...

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: WIRECO — DRIVING PROGRESS AROUND THE WORLD

When it comes to lifting, hoisting, and moving the world’s heaviest loads, performance matters. And so does partnership. That’s why CERTEX is proud to spotlight WireCo—a global leader in manufacturing and distributing wire rope, synthetic rope, and electromechanical...

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: PELICAN ROPE — A LEGACY OF INNOVATION AND SAFETY

At CERTEX, we believe strong partnerships are the backbone of strong solutions. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight Pelican Rope—a manufacturer with five decades of experience, known for delivering high-performance synthetic rope and custom-engineered solutions to...

THE VALUE OF RIGGING TRAINING: CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR

WHY CERTIFIED TRAINING PAYS OFF IN SAFETY, PERFORMANCE, AND ROI   In the construction, industrial, mining, marine, energy sectors, and more, the safety and success of every lift depends on the knowledge and skill of the riggers involved. That’s why rigging...

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: INDUSTRY STATISTICS THAT PROVE THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY

When it comes to rigging and lifting operations, safety isn't just a best practice—it's a necessity. Beyond the immediate physical risk to workers, lapses in safety can result in equipment damage, project delays, and substantial financial losses. But don't just take...

UNDERSTANDING LOAD TESTING: WHY IT’S CRUCIAL FOR RIGGING EQUIPMENT

When it comes to rigging equipment, safety and reliability aren't optional—they're essential. Whether lifting heavy machinery on a construction site or securing loads in a warehouse, equipment failure can have catastrophic consequences. That’s where load testing comes...

The Fundamentals of Rigging Safety: What Every Operator Should Know

Rigging is a critical component of lifting operations in industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to energy and maritime. While rigging plays a vital role in moving heavy loads safely and efficiently, it also introduces serious risks when not done...

Partner Spotlight: PYRAMEX — Gear with a Greater Purpose

On a job site in Iowa, construction worker P.J. Henderson fell 44 feet. It’s the kind of accident that usually ends in tragedy—but P.J. survived. “The only reason I’m alive is because your hard hat protected my head… It didn’t break, it’s still intact and wearable. I...

Maxim Crane Works hires Certex to test the Manitowoc 31000 Crane

Certex USA worked with Maxim Crane Works to test the largest capacity crawler crane ever designed and built by Manitowoc. Read the full article by written by Seth Skydel below: Manitowoc 31000 Crawler Crane Showcases Advanced Cable Testing Technology It’s big by any...

Staying Safe on the Job and the Importance of Industrial Rescue Courses

As an industrial worker, safety should always be your top priority. Unfortunately, accidents can happen even in the most well-equipped workplaces. That’s why having the necessary skills and knowledge for industrial rescue situations is crucial. That’s where industrial...

Why Fall Safety Training Should Be a Top Priority for Your Workplace

Fall safety training is an essential aspect of workplace safety that should never be overlooked. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities. Every year, thousands of...

Why Fall Safety Training Should Be a Top Priority for Your Workplace

Why Fall Safety Training Should Be a Top Priority for Your Workplace Fall safety training is an essential aspect of workplace safety that should never be overlooked. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are among the leading...

Safety Systems For Fall Protection: What Employers Need to Know

Safety first! When on the job, it benefits everybody to put employee safety before everything else. A fall protection system is essential for those who work any job at a height over six feet above the ground. This will protect employees and comply with OSHA...

A Short History of Fall Protection Equipment

It's no secret that fall protection equipment has come a long way to adapt to the ever-changing workplace. Safety equipment and the implementation of new guidelines and regulations have had an immense impact on workplace injuries. In fact, injuries and illnesses of...

Round Slings 101: Some Basic Specifications

CERTEX, USA has been manufacturing synthetic web slings for over 30 years, so our team understands what high standards mean when it comes to the manufacturing of round slings and other lifting products. We manufacture our web slings with the highest quality nylon or...

OSHA Fall Protection Training: 3 Important Fall Protection Items

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses a three step process to save lives on the job: plan, provide, and train. Fall protection certifications are extremely important within various industries. If you’re overseeing any job that involves heights,...

Safety Lessons from Across the Pond and How the British Regulate Lifting Equipment

The British regulations for the proper use and inspection of lifting gear may not apply here in the colonies, but they can be helpful to get another perspective on workplace safety. While the fundamental principles remain the same, here are the basics of British...

3 Important Safety Aspects to Consider for Construction Workers

If you're beginning a career as a construction worker, it's important to fully understand the potential risks. Most construction workers take pride in being tough, but it's not just your safety at risk. You also have a responsibility to keep your coworkers safe on the...

Understanding Best Safety Practices for the Material Handling Industry

While it might not seem like material handling requires much dangerous work, that's a dangerous assumption. Especially when workers are handling extremely heavy materials like lumber or working with equipment like cranes, forklifts, and conveyors, workplace accidents...

A Short Checklist for Using Personal Fall Protection Equipment

Without any fall arrest or safety equipment, a person can easily fall upwards of seven feet in two-thirds of a second. There's just about nothing you can do in that amount of time to stop someone from falling, which means that safety equipment is absolutely crucial to...

Lifting Shackles: A Brief Guide

Shackles and other lifting gear have been used in our industry for many years. And although worker injuries and illnesses have recently decreased -- in 1972, there were 10.9 incidents for every 100 workers, in 2011, there were 3.4 for every 100 -- that doesn't mean...

5 Tips for Safe Web Sling Use

Moving construction materials is one of the first steps of any major construction process, aside from planning of course. It's a necessary part of every project. Cranes, derricks, hoists, powered industrial trucks, and conveyors are all used for material handling and...

The Dangers of the Workplace: Review Your Fall Arrest Equipment

Working in any field that requires you to work on scaffolding can be dangerous. Fall injuries happen much too often in the U.S., and it's important that every worker follows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) three step prevention process when...

If you are in the Construction Industry Make Sure to Follow These Safety Tips

Construction work is often defined as one of the most dangerous professions. After all, the job includes lifting equipment, hook rigging, heavy material handling, and crane training. No matter how careful a worker can be, there will be always be hazards in the...

An Intro to Common Rigging Supplies

Companies in various industries rely on lifting gear and rigging equipment to move cargo on a job site. Employees must be qualified to work in these types of environments, and this may include certification that demonstrates their understanding of the engineering...