What should be used when attaching rigging gear to padeyes and lifting lugs?

• A. Shackles
• B. Hooks
• C. Carabiners
• D. Eye Bolts

Answer: (A)

Shackles are the best choice because they provide a simple, secure, rated connection that works well with padeyes and lifting lugs. The load is carried by the shackle body, and the pin locks the connection so it won’t unintentionally come apart under dynamic lift forces. This setup also allows the rigging to pivot as needed to align with the lift while keeping side loads off the padeye, which helps prevent damage.

Hooks can slip off or tilt under load, and their opening mechanism can fail to stay closed during lifting. Carabiners, while versatile, can open or fail if not locked properly and aren’t always rated for overhead lifting with fixed padeye connections. Eye bolts are more suited to fixed anchor points and can be stressed by off-axis loading or bending, making them less safe for attaching to padeyes and lifting lugs.

Using shackles with the correct working load limit ensures a robust, inspectable, removable connection that aligns well with standard rigging practices.