Recommended Operating Practices For Synthetic Web Slings

OPERATING PRACTICES

The following rules are required operating practices to be followed each time a web sling is used.

1. Determine that the weight of the load is within the rated capacity of the sling.
2. Select a sling having suitable characteristics for the type of load, hitch and environment.
2. Slings shall not be shortened or lengthened by knotting or other unapproved methods.
4. Damaged slings shall not be used.
5. Slings shall be hitched in a manner providing control of the load.
6. Edges in contact with slings should be padded.
7. Keep all portions of the human body from between the sling and the load, and from between the sling and the lifting hook.
8. Personnel should stand clear of the suspended load.
9. Personnel shall not ride the sling.
10. Shock loading should be avoided.
11. Slings should not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.
12. Slings should be store in an area where they will not be subject to mechanical damage, moisture, extreme heat or ultraviolet light.
13.Twisting of slings shall be avoided.
14. Loads applied to the hook shall be centered in the base of the hook to prevent point loading on the hook.
15. Before lifting, make certain that the sling, attachments, or load shall not snag. Personnel shall be continuously alert to avoid
snagging or bumping.
16. In a basket hitch, the lifting hook should be above the center of gravity and the load balanced to prevent slippage out of the sling.
17. When making a multiple leg lift, or a basket life, the capacity rating of each sling must be downgraded in accordance with the
Effect of Angle Chart.
18. Slings should not be dragged on the floor over an abrasive surface.
19. In a choker hitch, slings with hardware shall be long enough so that the choker fitting chokes on the webbing and never on
the triangle.
20. Nylon and polyester slings shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
21. Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light degrades the strength of synthetic web slings.
22. Inspect slings for damage or defects prior to each use.
23. Each sling shall be tagged to show working load limits for each type of hitch.
24. Do not used loads that may slip or slide, as new angles may change sling load, or cause sling damage which could result
in sling failure.

INSPECTIONS

Each day before being used, sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects
by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use,
where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.

REMOVAL FROM SERVICE

Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service is any of the following conditions are present:

U.V.LIGHT

Enviornments in which web slings are continuously exposed to ultraviolet light can affect the strength of web slings in varying
degrees ranging from slight to total degradation. To minimize these effects, store slings not being used in a cool, dry and dark place. Visual indications of ultraviolet degradation are bleaching out of the color, increase stiffness and surface abrasion at points not normally in contact with the load.