A new rope has a breaking strength of 9,000 lbs. The safe working load when new should be _____ lbs.

The correct choice for the safe working load of a new rope with a breaking strength of 9,000 lbs is based on the common safety practice of applying a safety factor, typically ranging from 5:1 to 10:1, depending on the application and environment.

In this case, using a safety factor of 5:1 is common for many types of rigging. To determine the safe working load, the breaking strength is divided by the safety factor. Therefore, dividing 9,000 lbs by 5 yields a safe working load of 1,800 lbs. This ensures a margin of safety to account for unexpected loads, wear, and environmental factors that could affect the rope's performance.

This understanding of safe working loads is crucial in ensuring safety when conducting tasks involving lifting or rigging operations. By adhering to these calculated limits, linemen can prevent accidents and equipment failure, thereby maintaining safety standards in their work.