POINT HOOKS OUTWARDS the spreading legs of a bridle When hooks are used on the ends of face outwards. hitch, the hooks must be placed so that their throats The outward facing poiition is the most secure when loads are suspended If the hooks face inwards a bump or jerk may cause the hooks to slip off the eyes of the load. Safety catches are not adequate protection when hooks are mounted In reverse. The figure below shows the correct method of mounting sling hooks on the eyes of a load. All too often load hooks must be held by hand to keep slings in position while slack is taken up at the start of a lift. Whenever a hook must be positioned by hand, it should be handled by the back of the shank to keep the rigger’s hands out of the way of the throat of the hook and the slings.