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Synthetic Slings

Oct 14, 2024

Know the capacities, proper usage, rigging methods & condition of all your slings. Mishandling and misusing slings are the leading cause of sling-related accidents. Most injuries and accidents, however, can be avoided by becoming familiar with the essentials of proper sling care and use.

ISSUES:

Improper use of slings can lead to many dangers, including injury, death, and damage to the sling itself: Damage to sling: Slings can be damaged by cuts, holes, or abrasions. These can occur if the sling is snagged on something sharp, rubbed against a sharp edge, or dragged along a rough surface. Slings can fail if they are damaged, misused, or overloaded. Improper use or care of a sling can lead to death or injury.

OSHA SYNTHETIC SLING USE REQUIREMENTS:

OSHA Standard Subpart H Material Handling – 1926.251(d)(1) – Employers must not use natural- and synthetic-fiber rope slings with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the sling by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer.

OSHA Standard Subpart H Material Handling – 1926.251(e)(1) – The employer shall have each synthetic web sling marked or coded to show: 1926.251(e)(1)(i) – Name or trademark of manufacturer, 1926.251(e)(1)(ii) – Rated capacities for the type of hitch, 1926.251(e)(1)(iii) – Type of material, 1926.251(e)(2) – Rated capacity shall not be exceeded.

OSHA Standard Subpart H Material Handling – 1926.251(e)(6) – Environmental conditions. When synthetic web slings are used, the following precautions shall be taken: 926.251(e)(6)(i) Nylon web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists, or liquids of acids or phenolics are present, 1926.251(e)(6)(ii) Polyester and polypropylene web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists, or liquids of caustics are present. 1926.251(e)(6)(iii) Web slings with aluminum fittings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists, or liquids of caustics are present. 1926.251(e)(7) – Safe operating temperatures. Synthetic web slings of polyester and nylon shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 180 °F (82.2 °C). Polypropylene web slings shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 200 °F (93.33 °C).

OSHA Standard Subpart H Material Handling – 1926.251(f) – Shackles and hooks. 1926.251(f)(1) Employers must not use shackles with loads in excess of the rated capacities (i.e., working load limits) indicated on the shackle by permanently affixed and legible identification markings prescribed by the manufacturer, 1926.251(f)(2).

OSHA Standard Subpart H Material Handling – 1926.251(d)(6) – Removal from service. Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present: 1926.251(d)(6)(i) Abnormal wear, 1926.251(d)(6)(ii) Powdered fiber between strands, 1926.251(d)(6)(iii) Broken or cut fibers, 1926.251(d)(6)(iv)Variations in the size or roundness of strands, 1926.251(d)(6)(v) Discoloration or rotting. 1926.251(d)(6)(vi) Distortion of hardware in the sling.

APPLICATION SUMMARY OF OSHA SLING REQUIREMENTS:

Slings are marked by the manufacturer to show:

  • The rated load for the types of hitches, and the angle upon which they are based.
  • The core material and the cover material if different from the core material.
  • The rated load for the types of hitches, and the angle upon which they are based.
  • The core material and the cover material are different.

A qualified person needs to perform at minimum daily and additional periodic inspections: where service conditions are warranted: ASME (B30.9, B30.10, B30.20)

  • Frequency of sling use, severity of service conditions, nature of lifts being made, and experience gained during the service life of slings used in similar circumstances.

Required cautions to personnel:

  • Ensure that all portions of the human body are kept away from the areas between the sling and the load and between the sling and the crane or hoist hook,
  • Ensure that personnel never stand in line with or next to the legs of a sling that is under tension,
  • Ensure that personnel do not stand or pass under the failure zone of the load,
  • Do not use synthetic round slings as bridles on suspended personnel platforms

Required sling removal from service:

  • Missing or illegible sling identification
  • Acid or caustic burns
  • Evidence of heat damage
  • Holes, tears, cuts, abrasive wear, or snags, which expose the core yarn
  • Broken or damaged core yarns
  • Welding splatter that exposes core yarns
  • Knots in the round sling body, except for core yarn knots inside the cover
  • Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the sling
  • Pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken fittings
  • Other conditions that cause doubt as to the continued use of the sling

What You Need to Know:

  1. Get trained: Never use a sling without training.
  2. Inspect the sling before use.
  3. Know the load: Always know the weight of the load.
  4. Avoid overloading: Never overload the sling.
  5. Avoid extreme temperatures: Don’t use a sling in extreme temperatures or acidic conditions.
  6. Use protective padding: Use protective padding to avoid cuts and breakage.
  7. Be careful around sharp edges: Be especially careful when working around areas with sharp corners and edges.
  8. Use mechanical means: When possible, use mechanical means to move heavy objects to avoid injury.
  9. Do not use slings unless there is a locking hook to secure them. You CANNOT use slings on the forks of a petti-bone.

1926.251(a) General. 1926.251(a)(1) Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service. 1926.251(a)(2) Employers must ensure that rigging equipment: 1926.251(a)(2)(i) Has permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicate the recommended safe working load; 1926.251(a)(2)(ii) Not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed on the identification markings by the manufacturer; and 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) Not be used without affixed, legible identification markings, required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section. 1926.251(a)(3) Rigging equipment, when not in use, shall be removed from the immediate work area so as not to present a hazard to employees. 1926.251(a)(4) Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps, or other lifting accessories, for such units as modular panels, prefabricated structures and similar materials, shall be marked to indicate the safe working loads and shall be proof-tested prior to use to 125 percent of their rated load.

“1926.251 – Rigging Equipment for Material Handling. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.251.

‌“Guidance on Safe Sling Use – Synthetic Round Slings | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2024, www.osha.gov/safe-sling-use/synth-round. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

‌“1910.184 – Slings. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.184.

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