|
|
- Synthetic sling users shall be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of the environment and rigging practices.
- Select the sling having the most suitable characteristics for the type of load, hitch and environment.
- Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used. Slings removed from service that are not capable of repair should be destroyed and rendered completely unfit for any future use.
- Slings shall be permanently marked. Slings with missing tags or illegible tag information shall not be used.
- The sling manufacturer shall complete and install the sling tag. The replacement of the sling tag is considered a repair, but will not require proof testing and certification.
- The sling tag should be maintained and kept legible during the life cycle of the sling by the sling user.
- Determine the weight of the load and make sure it does not exceed the sling’s Work Load Limit or the capacity of any component in the rigging system.
- Slings shall not be loaded in excess of the Work Load Limits. Consideration should be given to the sling-to-load angle which affects sling Work Load Limits.
- Work Load Limits are based upon: material strength, design factor, type of hitch, angle of loading, the diameter and curvature that the sling contacts, and destruction testing done in laboratory controlled, testing conditions, which will never be duplicated during actual usage. Work Load Limits are also based on a moderately dynamic lifting or pulling operation. Instantaneous changes (rapid acceleration or sudden stopping) constitute hazardous shock loading and Work Load Limits AS STATED, DO NOT APPLY.
- Work Load Limits for basket hitches and multi-leg bridle slings are based upon symmetrical loading of the individual legs. For non-symmetrical loads an analysis by a qualified person shall be done to avoid overloading any part of the sling system.
- Horizontal angles less than 30 degrees shall not be used, except as recommended and approved by a qualified person.
- The sling shall be securely attached to the load and rigged in a manner to provide load control. The sling must be rigged to prevent slipping and sliding across load edges.
- Basket hitches used at angles less than 60 degrees can cause slings to slip under tension, creating an unbalanced condition. Slings used in any hitch shall have the load balanced to prevent slippage.
- Sling users must determine the load’s Center of Gravity (CG) to ensure the rigging system will be able to retain and control the load once lifted. Sling legs should contain or support the load from the sides above the Center of Gravity when using a basket hitch so the load will not tilt when lifted.
- Slings shall not be shortened, lengthened, tied in knots or joined by knotting. Methods not approved by the manufacture or qualified person shall not be used.
- Twisting and kinking the sling legs shall be avoided.
- Slings used in a choker hitch must be of adequate length for the choke action to occur on the sling body. The choke action should not occur on: the fitting or eye, at the base of the fitting or eye, on the load carrying splice or the sling tag.
- Slings used in a choker hitch shall not be forced to tighten around the load by pounding with hammers or other objects. Choker hitches are the least efficient way to use a sling based on Work Load Limit. Two slings should be used to balance the load. One sling used in a choker hitch may result in a situation where an unbalanced load could lead to an accident.
- A sling rigged in a choke hitch (not double wrapped) does not make full contact with the load. Use multiple slings and wrap the load, when practical to ensure full contact. Do not allow the slings to cross over each other.
- Keep the sling tags and labels away from the load, the hook and the choke action of the sling. Do not place the load carrying splice in a connection point to the load or in the lifting mechanism.
- Avoid side loading or edge loading slings. Ensure that both paths are loaded equally for Twin-Path® slings.
- Slings shall always be protected from being cut or damaged by corners, edges, protrusions or abrasive surfaces by materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction. Sling protection may not prevent cutting or other forms of sling damage. See catalog pages for additional information.
- Synthetic products stretch when the load is applied. Stretching can be reduced by using polyester slings, slings with larger Work Load Limits or by selecting a low elongation, High Performance Fiber, Twin-Path® Extra Sling.
- Do not accelerate or decelerate the load too fast. The “G” force on a dropped load could surpass the ultimate strength of the sling. A load picked up too fast can develop a stretch/friction/surface heat that can surpass the melting temperature of the sling.
- Synthetic slings shall not be constricted or bunched between the ears of a clevis or shackle or in a hook. When synthetic slings are used with a shackle, it is recommended that they be used (rigged) in the bow of the shackle. Placing synthetic slings on the pin should be avoided, unless the sling is protected.
- All hooks, shackles and other fittings must be free of damaging edges that could harm the sling.
- All loads applied to the lifting hook should be centered in the “bowl” of the hook to prevent point or tip loading.
- Avoid contacting and bending sling fittings over or across load edges.
- The opening in fittings should be of the proper shape and size to ensure that the fitting will seat properly in the lifting hook or other points of attachment.
- Fittings used in any sling system must be compatible, i.e., proper shape, size and diameter to prevent damage to the sling. The “sling-fitting” relationship must be proper to ensure that slings will “seat” properly and, in doing so, derive the greatest Work Load Limit. The overall assembly capacity shall be established as the lowest strength of any assembly component (sling, fitting, attachment, etc.)
- The use of improper fittings and/or materials may result in severe personal injury or death.
- Sling hardware or any object in the sling eye should not be wider than one-third the length of the sling eye.
- Slings shall not be dragged on the ground or floor, or drawn over abrasive surfaces.
- Slings shall not be pulled from under loads when the load is resting on the sling. If feasible, place blocks under the load to allow for removal of the sling.
- Loads resting on the sling could damage the sling.
- Synthetic slings should never be used to pull an object in a snagged or constrained condition or used for towing. Synthetic slings are designed to stretch; the recoil caused by any sudden release of a lifting constraint could result in a dangerous projection of the load.
- During the lift, with or without load, personnel shall be alert for possible snagging.
- Do not drop objects on slings or slings equipped with metal fittings.
- Do not run over slings with trucks or other equipment.
- Personnel should stand clear of the load and shall not ride the load.
- Personnel should never be under, next to or on a suspended load. Even if you take in account all factors and issues, things can still go wrong.
- Portions of the human body shall not be placed between the sling and load or between the sling and lifting hook.
- Synthetic slings shall not be used as bridles on suspended personnel platforms.
- Synthetic lifting slings shall not be used for fall prevention applications.
|
|
|
|
