Why should the flat surface of cribbing blocks generally not be painted?

• A. To avoid hiding defects and making the surface slippery when wet
• B. To prevent rust on metal surfaces
• C. To comply with color-coding requirements
• D. To improve grip in wet conditions

Answer: (A)

Cribbing blocks must have unpainted flat faces so you can reliably inspect them and maintain grip under load. An unpainted surface makes defects like cracks, splits, or other damage easy to see, so you can identify compromised blocks before they’re used. Painting can hide these defects, delaying or preventing detection. Also, paint can become slippery when the surface is wet, reducing friction and increasing the risk of shifting or slipping during a lift. Keeping the flat surface bare preserves both visibility for inspection and traction for safe operation.