Whiplash
6th July 1979, Page 71
6th July 1979
Page 71
Page 71, 6th July 1979
— Whiplash
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Man-made-fibre ropes have the advantage of not rotting and of being much lighter and easier to handle than wire ropes or chains but they have a serious drawback if used for towing. They may stretch by as much as half, particularly if the towing vehicle makes a snatch start, and then recoil viciously. Anyone in the way could be decapitated.
A tractor driver in America was killed when a 11/2 in nylon rope attached to a chain parted from the machine being pulled. The rope recoiled against the tractor and the chain crashed through the cab rear window, hitting the driver on the head.
Man-made fibres are a great development but, like anything else, they must be used appropriately.