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How should you select the proper wire rope sling?
How should you use wire rope slings safely?
What should you avoid when using wire rope slings?
How should you select the proper wire rope sling? - Follow the manufacturers' charts and tables on sling types, angles, and rope diameters.
- Follow the manufacturers' recommendations on clips and clamps of suitable size and design for ropes of different size.
- Attach using methods outlined by the manufacturer.
- Remember that a socket and clip fittings used to attach the rope determine the sling's load limit. Fittings have 75% to 100% of the breaking load of the rope.
- Remember that the safe load limit of a sling also depends on the hitch (method of applying a sling to the load). The type of hitch depends on the kind of material to be lifted, the safe load limit of the sling, the presence (or absence) of lugs on the load, the headroom, and other factors. Check with the manufacturers instructions.
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How should you use wire rope slings safely? - Use wire rope slings at rated limits.
- Examine slings for wear, fatigue, crushed or broken wires, kinking, ballooning or "bird-caging", heat damage, etc. Check both before and after using slings to detect any damage or defects.
- Inspect and tighten fittings regularly.
- Check the manufacturer's chart for sling properties.
- Reduce rope stress with slow starts and stops.
- Keep wire rope slings well lubricated and inspect them often.
- Remove damaged slings from service and tag appropriately.
- Store slings on racks in a clean, dry place.
- Center the sling load to prevent the load from shifting suddenly and causing a high impact load.
What should you avoid when using wire rope slings? - Do not bend slings around sharp edges. Protect them by using corner saddles, padding, or wood blocks.
- Do not use slings with knots.
- Do not slide the load along a rope.
- Do not use a single leg hitch on a load that cannot be controlled. Rotation of a load can undo the wire rope strands and weaken the rope.
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Document last updated on April 24, 1998
Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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