Sling Safety

Sling Safety
Objectives
 Be familiar with OSHA’s regulations
regarding slings.
 Understand safe sling use.
 Be able to identify and describe conditions
necessitating sling’s replacement.
Definition of Terms
Sling- a material handling apparatus, designed

specifically to aid in the movement of
materials or load.
Application:
- Cranes, derricks, powered industrial
trucks & conveyors.
Three Types of Slings
1. Chain Slings- Commonly used
because of their strength and ability
to adapt to the shape of the load.
Suitable for lifting very hot materials
2. Wire Rope Slings- Composed of
individual wires that have been
twisted to form strands, strands then
twisted to form wire rope. Wire rope
can be define by the “ lay”
Three Types of Slings
3. Synthetic Web Slings- offer a number of

advantages for rigging purposes, can
handle load of up to 300,000 lbs, can
conform to any shape, will adjust to the
load contour and hold it with a tight,
non-slip grip, will not mar, deface, or
scratch highly polished or delicate
surfaces. can absorb heavy shocks
without damage
Frequency of Sling Inspections
All slings are to be inspected each day prior to
their use. This includes chain, wire rope and
synthetic slings and their attachments, i.e.
master links, alligators, clips, hooks, quick-
alloys etc..
A thorough documented inspection is

required to be performed at least once every
3 months.
Sling Load Capacity and Sling Angles
The load capacity of the sling is
determined by its weakest component.
Never overload a sling.
Remember, the wider the sling legs are

spread apart, the less the sling can lift!
1000 lbs Lift Capacity 707 lbs Lift Capacity 500 lbs Lift Capacity
Chain Sling Inspection Items
 Cracks, stretches, severe nicks, gouges, welding splattered or
deformed master links, coupling links, chains or other
components.
 One leg of a double or triple chain sling is longer than the
others.
 Hooks have been opened more than 25% of the normal throat
opening measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than
10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook.
 Chain size at any point of any link is less than stated in the
chart on the next slide, the sling shall be removed.
Chain Sling Wear Chart
Chain Size Minimum Chain Size Minimum
(inches) Allowable (inches) Allowable
Chain Size Chain Size
(Inches) (Inches)
¼ 15/64 1 13/16
3/8 19/64 1 1/8 29/32
½ 25/64 1¼ 1
5/8 31/64 1 3/8 1 3/32
¾ 19/32 1½ 1 3/16
7/8 45/64 1¾ 1 13/32
Special Precautions
 Chain slings should never be modified or
repaired by operators! Only qualified
maintenance personnel may do so.
 It is important to realize that the capacity of

a sling decreases as the angle at which it is
used to lift increases.
Chain Slings
Only chain slings purchased from
the manufacturer are allowed.
No homemade slings allowed!!

Wire Rope Sling Inspection Items
 Three randomly distributed broken wires in one strand,
in one rope lay.
 Wear or scraping of 1/3 the original diameter of outside
individual wires.
 Kinking, Bird Cage, crushing or any damage resulting
in distortion of the wire rope.
 End attachments that are cracked, worn or deformed.
 Corrosion of the rope or end attachments.
Synthetic Web Sling Inspection
Items
 Acid or caustic burns on the sling.
 Melting or charring of any part of the sling’s surface.
 Snags, punctures, tears, or cuts.
 Stitching is broken or worn.
 The sling is stretched. To assist operators in determining if a
sling is stretched, manufacturers incorporate a red wear cord inside
of the sling. When this red wear cord can be readily seen upon
inspecting the sling, the sling has been stretched and is to be
removed.
Safe Usage Practices
 Slings should be stored off of the  Never drag slings across the
floor and hung on racks floor.
whenever possible in a clean, dry
environment.  Always hook with a “closed
hook” arrangement (hooks facing
out).
Safe Usage Practices (Cont.)
 Never shock load slings.  A sling should not be pulled
from under a load when the
load is resting on the sling.
 Keep loads balanced to
prevent overloading slings.  Make sure the hook is always
over the center of gravity of
 Always lift loads straight up. the load before lifting it.
 Do not apply a load to a

 Never rest a load on a sling, twisted, knotted or kinked
or pinch a sling between the chain.
load and the floor.
 Do not force or hammer hooks
or chains into position.
Safe Usage Practices (Cont.)
 Hands and Fingers shall  Never shorten a sling with
not be placed between the knots, bolts or other
sling and the load while makeshift devices.
the sling is being
tightened around the load.  Protect the chain’s surface
from contact with sharp
 Clean chains regularly as corners, which can cause
dirt and grit can cause permanent damage
excessive wear at the link through gouging or
bearing points. abnormal stress and wear.
In Conclusion
 Select the right sling for the job.

 Inspect slings prior to use, removing
from service any in question.
 Remember the effect of sling angles on
load capacities.
 Properly store slings when finished to
avoid damage.

Sling Safety

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sling Safety

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sling Safety

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sling Safety

Sling- a material handling apparatus, designed

3. Synthetic Web Slings- offer a number of

A thorough documented inspection is

Remember, the wider the sling legs are

 It is important to realize that the capacity of

No homemade slings allowed!!

 Do not apply a load to a

 Select the right sling for the job.

You might also like