Wire and Rope Slings

BASIC FACTORS CONCERNING THE USE OF WIRE ROPE SLINGS

•RATED CAPACITY (Rated Load, WLL) of a wire rope sling is based upon the Nominal Breaking Strength of the wire rope used in the sling, AND FACTORS which affect the overall strength of a sling. These factors include ATTACHMENT or SPLICING EFFICIENCY, the number of parts of rope in the sling, type of hitch (see above), DIAMETER AROUND WHICH THE BODY OF THE SLING IS BENT, and the diameter of pin (or hook) over which the eye of the sling is rigged.

•RATED CAPACITY of a sling is different for each of the three basic methods of rigging (see above). These rated loads are listed in this catalogue. The RATED CAPACITIES apply to UNIROPE slings ONLY and may be indicated on optional tags (if requested).

•WARNING: A hand tucked (hand spliced) eye sling can unlay (unravel) and FAIL if the sling is allowed to rotate during use.

•NEVER “SHOCK LOAD” a sling. There is no practical way to estimate the actual force applied by shock loading. The rated capacity of a wire rope sling can easily be exceeded by a sudden application of force, and damage can occur to the sling. The sudden release of a load can also damage a sling.

•The BODY of a wire rope sling should be protected with corner protectors, blocking or padding against damage by sharp edges or corners of a load being lifted. Sharp bends that distort the sling body damage the wire rope and reduce its strength.

•ANY ANGLE other than vertical at which the sling is rigged, increases the loading (tension) on the sling.

•A sling should be given a VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE EACH LIFT OR USAGE to determine if it is capable of safely making the intended lift.

•An inspection should include such things as:

A SLING EYE should never be used over a hook or pin with a body diameter larger than the natural width of the eye. NEVER FORCE AN EYE ONTO A HOOK. The eye should always be used on a hook or pin with AT LEAST THE DIAMETER OF THE ROPE.