How to inspect synthetic slings

A guide on how to inspect synthetic rope slings, including: what to look for and discard criteria.

How to inspect synthetic slings

Round sling pre-use inspection

Here's how to inspect synthetic round slings before use.

Always start with the tag. Use your fingers to move along the body of the sling to feel for:

• unusual lumps
• cuts in covers
• torn stitching.

The tag should be attached to the sling and legible in English. On the tag should be:

• the manufacturer
• working load limit (WLL)
• the serial number
• factor of safety.

Note: blue tag = polyester sling.

A missing tag means immediate discard.

Round synthetic sling tag

Check the sling stitching is intact.

Round synthetic sling stitching

Broken stitching indicates overloading and means immediate discard.

Round synthetic sling with broken stitching

Knots mean immediate discard.

Knot in a synthetic sling

Check both sides of the sling cover. Use your thumb and finger to feel for lumping and 'burns'.

Both sides of synthetic sling cover

Burns are from overloading. Marks like these are indicative of 'burns':

Burns

Marker or paint pen on synthetics are an immediate discard.

Marker on a synthetic sling

Flat web sling pre-use inspection

Here's how to inspect synthetic flat web slings before use.

Always start with the tag. It should be attached to the sling and legible in English.

On the tag should be:

• the manufacturer
• working load limit (WLL)
• serial number
• factor of safety.

Note: blue tag = polyester sling.

Flat web sling tag

Check all the stitching is intact.

Flat web stitching

Check eye covers for holes. If the parent material is in good condition the sling can be used.

Flat web sling eye cover

Furry edges are not usually an issues until they interfere with the stitching.

Furry edges

Loose thread can be trimmed off. It is usually the thread end knot that has come undone.

Loose thread in a flat web sling

Abrasion is ok as long as there is not material separation.

Cuts in slings are an immediate discard.

Cut in a sling

Discard criteria for synthetic slings

When inspecting synthetic slings, check for this discard criteria:

• the last inspection was over 3 months ago
• WLL tags are illegible or missing
• there are areas that show material deformity, like cuts to load bearing fibres
• there are holes in round sling covers that show the internal yarn
• heat damage or weld spatter etc.
• chemical damage
• torn stitching
• internal thickening of a round sling
• UV damage (shown by the sling colour changing or fading to white)
• permanent marker or paint on the sling
• knots.

Here are some examples of sling damage:

Examples of damage

Interfacing components

End fittings

Any end fittings of round slings should be compatible with the hooks or other lifting devices they are connected to.

The interface between the roundsling and the end fitting should be in accordance with Clause 2.2.8.2 of Australian Lifting Standards. This is to make sure the WLL of the roundsling leg will not be compromised by overcrossing or the interface contact area.

Note: metallic end fittings intended for use in acidic or alkaline environments should be resistant to acid or alkali. See definitions for acid and alkali.

End fittings supplied with a roundsling

End fittings should have a WLL of not less than the WLL of the sling.

The interface between the cover and the end fitting should be so that the strength of the sling leg will not be compromised by overcrowding or the interference of the contact region.

Two end fittings on a sling don't have to be identical. If a sling is designed for choked slinging, one fitting should be able to pass through the other fitting.

Measuring roundslings

The radius of end fitting interfaces should be no less than the compressed thickness of the roundsling.

When measuring roundslings, take care to make sure:

• the sling is undamaged
• the measurement is of the point of the sling which may come into contact with the load
• pressure is applied by hand without risk of damaging the sling.