First the DO'S...

• Make sure the rope is adequate for the job. Match the rope size and fiber type for the intended use.
• Pad your rope at all points of contact that might abrade or cut your rope. Use edge rollers or roof rollers over sharp angles, rope pads at lesser points of contact. Outer fibers as well as inner fibers contribute to a rope's strength. When outer fibers are worn by chafing or dragging over splintered, buried, rough or gritty surfaces, the rope is worn and weakened.
• Wash your rope often with clean, cold water. A rope washer is just the thing to use for light soil or mud. Dirt will cause wear on and in your rope as well as your ancillary equipment. Allow to air dry (out of direct sunlight) before storing away. Use a mild soap if you wish, don't use detergent, and never use bleach.
• Inspect your rope for damage each time you rig it, while in use and again as you coil or bag it up. If the sheath becomes cut or worn to the inner core, or if you feel soft or "mashie" places in the core, cut the rope at that point and inspect for damage elsewhere. If in doubt, cut it out.
• Keep life safety ropes separate from utility ropes. Keep accurate records of rope use history. A rope history card is furnished with each rope and more cards are available.
• Store your rope in a clean, dry and well ventilated place out of the direct sunlight and away from extreme heat. A rope bag is a good way to keep your rope clean.
• Keep out from under a raised load. Never stand in the line of rope under strain. If rope breaks, it will recoil with considerable force.
• Avoid shock loads. Rope that is strong enough to withstand a steady pull can be broken with a sudden jerk. Be aware of all possible dynamic loading situations. Avoid them when possible and allow for strong enough rope when they cannot be avoided.
• Destroy, rather than discard, rope to be retired. It might be used again by someone not aware of the hazard of the defect. This is best achieved by cutting it up into short pieces.
• Avoid sustained loads. Natural fiber ropes such as Manila and Sisal have less ability to take sustained loads than synthetic fiber ropes such as nylon or polypropylene. Never exceed the Work Load Limit and so not to subject fiber rope to sustained loads.
• Avoid rust. Rust can cause rapid loss of strength, sometimes in as short a time as one to two weeks.
• Avoid the use of swivels in ropes under load. A loss of turn will cause permanent damage to the rope.
• Fill out and return rope warranty registration cards.
• Keep a detailed Rope History Record.

Now the DONT'S...

• Never use a nylon line which has a high stretch factor in combination with another rope of low stretch. The nylon line will stretch and not carry its proportionate share of the load, thus putting extra strain on the other lines.
• Never mistreat your rope. Walking or standing on rope can damage it.
• Don't use low stretch rope for dynamic belays. A fall with slack in the rope could jerk a climber enough to injure or kill.
• Don't store your rope in sunlight. Even if your rope is treated for ultraviolet radiation resistance, UV will shorten the life of any synthetic rope.
• Never allow chemicals to come in contact with your rope. Never store on a concrete or dirt floor, and under no circumstances should ropes and acid or alkalies by kept in the same room or compartment. Remember that many common items contain strong chemicals. Some of these chemicals can weaken or severely damage nylon. Keep away from batteries (acid), and products that contain benzene, phenol (pine oil cleaners), carbon tetrachloride, formaldehyde and gasoline. If you suspect chemical damage to your rope, cut it. If you wish to use a marker on your rope, use one with an ether or alcohol base as they do not appear to damage ropes.
• Don't overheat a rope through use or storage. The temperature at which 50% strength loss can occur in new and used ropes is: polypropylene 150oF, nylon 350oF. Prolonged storage at elevated temperatures can cause a rope to fall below its rated breaking strength. When using synthetic rope, be careful to avoid excessive friction which heats, melts and fuses the outer fibers of the rope.
• Never exceed the Work Load Limit of rope. Use Work Load Limits as guidelines only. Work Load Limit may have to be reduced when life, limb or valuable property are at risk, or other than new rope is used. When using multiple leg rope slings, the Work Load Limit of each leg will have to be reduced considerably. Consult industry recommendations for information. Work Load Limit does not apply if rope has been subjected to severe dynamic loading, which may not be visible. Never use a life safety rope to tow cars or lift heavy objects. Overloading can cause hidden damage.
• Don't allow moving nylon to run across stationary nylon. Keep moving ropes separated from each other and away from anchor slings and the like. Friction from moving nylon running across fixed nylon material can quickly melt through the fixed nylon part.

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