Guidelines on Synthetic Web Sling Removal
WARNING
This serves as a critical advisory on synthetic web sling removal criteria. While it offers essential guidelines, it is imperative to note that it does not provide exhaustive coverage of all safety measures. It is incumbent upon users to thoroughly assess all potential risks associated with handling, lifting, and manipulating materials and loads. Synthetic slings are just one element of a comprehensive lifting system, and users bear the responsibility of ensuring the safe use of all rigging devices and products. Failure to conduct a thorough risk assessment may result in severe consequences, including but not limited to serious injury or death, stemming from sling failure and/or loss of load.
1. DOL-OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184 AND GUIDANCE ON SAFE SLING USE
Thorough Inspection of Slings and Attachments:
Make a thorough inspection of slings and attachments. Items to look for include:
- Missing or illegible sling identification.
- Acid or caustic burns.
- Melting or charring of any part of the sling.
- Holes, tears, cuts, or snags.
- Broken or worn stitching in load-bearing splices.
- Excessive abrasive wear.
- Knots in any part of the sling.
- 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 continued use of a sling.
Where any such damage or deterioration is present, remove the sling or attachment from service immediately.
2. ASME B30.9 REMOVAL FROM SERVICE CRITERIA:
Make sure to follow ASME B30.9 removal criteria, which include:
- Missing or illegible sling identification.
- Section 9-5.7.1 requires that each sling be marked to show the following:
- Name or trademark of the manufacturer
- Manufacturer’s code or stock number
- Rated load for at least one hitch type and the angle upon which it is based
- Type of synthetic material
- Number of legs, if more than one
- Acid or caustic burns.
- Melting or charring of any part of the sling.
- Holes, tears, cuts, or snags.
- Broken or worn stitching in the load-bearing splices.
- Excessive abrasive wear.
- Knots in any part of the sling.
- Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the sling, which may mean chemical or ultraviolet/sunlight damage.
- Fittings that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken.
For hooks, follow the removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10. For other applicable hardware, refer to removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.26.
Additionally, be cautious of any other conditions, including visible damage, that cause doubt as to the continued use of the sling.
3. WEB SLING AND TIE DOWN ASSOCIATION REMOVAL FROM SERVICE CRITERIA:
Refer to the Synthetic Web Sling Safety Bulletin (WSSB-1) from 2010 for the following removal criteria:
The entire web sling must be inspected regularly.
It shall be removed from service if ANY of the following are detected:
- If sling identification tag is missing or not readable.
- Holes, tears, cuts, snags, or embedded materials.
- Broken or worn stitches in the load-bearing splices.
- Knots in any part of the sling webbing.
- Acid or alkali burns.
- Melting, charring, or weld spatter on any part of the web sling.
- Excessive abrasive wear or crushed webbing.
- Signs of ultraviolet (UV) light degradation.
- Distortion, excessive pitting, corrosion, or other damage to fitting(s).
If provided, exposed red core yarn. However, if damage is present and red yarns are not exposed, DO NOT USE the sling. Any conditions that cause doubt as to the strength of the web sling.