Slings in General Industry

Safe operating practices

Whenever any sling is used:

• Do not use damaged or defective slings.
• Do not shorten slings with knots, bolts or makeshift devices, and do not kink sling legs.
• Do not exceed rated capacity or the safe working load on the sling's identification markings. Do not use slings without legible markings.
• Balance loads in a basket hitch, attach slings securely, and pad slings against sharp edges.
• Keep suspended loads clear of obstructions, and keep all employees clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended loads.
• Keep hands and fingers out from between the sling and load while tightening. No shock loading. Do not pull a sling from under a resting load.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.184(c) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(7) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(10) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(12) · 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(13)

Daily inspection

Each day before use, a competent person designated by the employer inspects the sling and all fastenings and attachments for damage or defects. Additional inspections are done during use where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings are immediately removed from service.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.184(d)

Alloy steel chain slings

• ID shows size, grade, rated capacity and reach. No makeshift links or fasteners from bolts or rods.
• A thorough periodic inspection by a competent person designated by the employer, on a regular basis set by use, service conditions, the lifts made and experience, and never more than 12 months apart, checks wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length; defective slings are removed. The employer records the most recent month each sling was inspected.
• Permanently remove a chain sling heated above 1000 degrees F; above 600 degrees F, working load limits are reduced per the manufacturer.
• Worn or damaged chain slings are not used until repaired, and mechanical coupling links or low carbon repair links are not used to fix broken chain.
• Remove from service if master links, coupling links or other components are cracked or deformed, or if hooks are cracked, opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening, or twisted more than 10 degrees.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.184(e) · 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(7)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(9)(i)

Wire rope slings

Wire rope slings must carry legible markings showing the safe working load for the hitches used, the angle it is based on, and the number of legs if more than one. Remove them immediately from service for:

• Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one rope lay
• Wear or scraping of one-third the original diameter of outside wires
• Kinking, crushing, bird caging or other distortion
• Evidence of heat damage
• Cracked, deformed or worn end attachments
• Hooks opened more than 15 percent or twisted more than 10 degrees
• Corrosion of the rope or end attachments

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.184(f) · 29 CFR 1910.184(f)(1)

Metal mesh, fiber rope and web slings

Metal mesh slings carry a durable marking of rated capacity for vertical basket and choker hitches. Repairs are made only by a mesh sling manufacturer or equivalent entity, and slings are removed from service for conditions such as broken welds, a reduction in wire diameter of 25 percent due to abrasion or 15 percent due to corrosion, lack of flexibility or distorted handles.

Fiber rope slings must have permanently affixed, legible markings stating the rated capacity for the hitches used and the angle it is based on, the type of fiber material, and the number of legs if more than one. Knots are not used in lieu of splices. Only slings made from new rope are used; repaired or reconditioned fiber rope slings are prohibited.

Synthetic web slings: nylon is not used around acids or phenolics; polyester and polypropylene are not used around caustics, and web slings with aluminum fittings are not used around caustics. Repaired web slings are used only if repaired by a sling manufacturer or equivalent entity and proof tested to twice the rated capacity. Temporary repairs are not allowed. Remove web slings immediately for acid or caustic burns, melting or charring, snags, punctures, tears or cuts, broken or worn stitches, or distorted fittings.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.184(g) · 29 CFR 1910.184(h) · 29 CFR 1910.184(i) · 29 CFR 1910.184(g)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.184(g)(9) · 29 CFR 1910.184(g)(9)(iv)-(vii) · 29 CFR 1910.184(h)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.184(i)(6)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.184(i)(8)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9)(i)-(v)

Common test questions

Besides before use, when must a competent person inspect slings?

During use, where service conditions warrant.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.184(d)

When can you use a damaged or defective sling?

Never. Damaged or defective slings shall not be used.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(1)

Practice these in the course