CRANE SAFETY

SLINGS SAFETY

Rigging Equipment Slings

Types of slings include alloy steel chain, wire rope,
metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber rope, and
synthetic web.

Chain

Wire rope

Metal mesh

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Synthetic
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Sling Inspection
Inspect slings:
Each day before use
Where service conditions
warrant

Remove them from service if

damaged or defective

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Alloy Steel Chains

Adapts to shape of the load
Can damage by sudden
shocks
Best choice for hoisting very
hot materials
When one link in a chain fails,
the load will come down.
Must have an affixed tag
stating size, grade, rated
capacity, and sling
manufacturer

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Markings
Alloy Steel Chain

It must be marked with grade or manufacturer's mark

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Inspection of Chain
Must be visually inspected prior to use.
Pay special attention to any stretching

(any elongation from the original length.

The diameter of the worn chain link should
be measured at the point of the greatest
wear and compare with minimum
allowable diameters in tables.

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Chain Sling Wear Chart

Chain Size
(inches)

3/8

5/8

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
1
1 3/8
1
1

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Minimum
Allowable
Chain Size
(Inches)

13/16
29/32
1

1 3/32
1 3/16
1 13/32

Wire Rope Slings

Used to hoist materials
Core

Selection considerations:
strength
ability to bend without

cracking
ability to withstand abrasive
wear
ability to withstand abuse

Wire

Center

Strand
Wire rope

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Inspections
Each day before use, the sling, all
fastenings and attachments must be
inspected by a competent person
Additional inspections performed during
use, where conditions warrant
Damaged slings must be removed from
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service

Wire Rope Clips

When using U-bolt
wire rope clips to
form eyes, ensure
the "U" section is in
contact with the
dead end of the
rope

Dead End

This is the correct method

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Lubrication

Regularly lubricate ropes and chains

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Wire Rope Slings

Remove From Service
If these happen, remove the wire rope sling from service

Kinking

Bird Caging

Crushing
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Remove From Service

Immediately remove damaged or

defective slings from service
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Type of Wire Wire Rope Sling

Damage

Birdcage damage
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Remove From Service When

6 broken wires in 1 lay
3 in one strand
Outer wire diameter worn 1/3

original diameter
Bird caged , crushed, kinked

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One complete wrap of a strand around the core

RopeLay
Lay
Rope

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Synthetic Web Sling

Markings

Mark or code to
show:
Name or trademark
of manufacturer
Rated capacities for
the type of hitch
Type of material

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Synthetic Web Sling

Stitching

Stitching

Stitching is the only method allowed to attach

end fittings to webbing, or to form eyes
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Synthetic Web Slings Remove from Service

Remove from service if

any of these are present:
Acid or caustic burns
Melting or charring of
any part
Snags, punctures, tears
or cuts
Broken or worn stitches
Distortion of fittings
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Heat Damage
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1000 LBS

500 LBS

500 LBS

90

1000 LBS 1000 LBS

60

45

30

1000 LBS

1000 LBS

1000 LBS

Note: A good operating practice is to keep sling angles

Office of Training & Education
from going below 60 OSHA
degrees

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