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.

29 CFR 1910.184 Slings
Sling: An assembly which connects the load
to the material handling (lifting)
equipment.
Three Types of Slings
1.
Chain Slings
2.
Wire Rope Slings
3.
Synthetic Web Slings
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, quickalloys 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
(inches)
¼
3/8
½
5/8
¾
7/8
Minimum
Allowable
Chain Size
(Inches)
15/64
19/64
25/64
31/64
19/32
45/64
Chain Size
(inches)
1
1 1/8
1¼
1 3/8
1½
1¾
Minimum
Allowable
Chain Size
(Inches)
13/16
29/32
1
1 3/32
1 3/16
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, 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.
Inspection of Alligator Clamps
1) Wear pads.
2) Jaw locking mechanism
whether spring action, or
pull chain must be
functional.
3) Pins on the alligator.
4) Attachment ring.
5) Quick-alloys.
Remove alligators from
service if the teeth are
worn even with wear
indicator teeth!
Safe Usage Practices

Slings should be stored off of the
floor and hung on racks
whenever possible in a clean, dry
environment.

Never drag slings across the
floor.

Always hook with a “closed
hook” arrangement (hooks facing
out).
Safe Usage Practices (Cont.)

Never shock load slings.

Keep loads balanced to
prevent overloading slings.

Always lift loads straight up.

Never rest a load on a sling,
or pinch a sling between the
load and the floor.

A sling should not be pulled
from under a load when the
load is resting on the sling.

Make sure the hook is always
over the center of gravity of
the load before lifting it.

Do not apply a load to a
twisted, knotted or kinked
chain.

Do not force or hammer
hooks or chains into position.
Safe Usage Practices (Cont.)


Hands and Fingers shall
not be placed between the
sling and the load while
the sling is being tightened
around the load.
Clean chains regularly as
dirt and grit can cause
excessive wear at the link
bearing points.

Never shorten a sling with
knots, bolts or other
makeshift devices.

Protect the chain’s surface
from contact with sharp
corners, which can cause
permanent damage
through gouging or
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.