What are the requirements for a webbing sling?

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Webbing slings, crafted from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, serve as indispensable tools for lifting applications across various industries. These durable slings are favored because of their strong load-bearing qualities and impressive versatility, making them suitable for an extensive range of operational scenarios.

The appeal of web slings over traditional wire ropes and chain slings lies in several significant benefits:

• Cost-effective and lightweight, making them appealing for diverse lifting tasks.
• Soft materials that conform to irregularly shaped loads, providing a secure grip.
• Robust enough to lift considerable weights while safeguarding fragile items from damage.
• Customizable in terms of materials, designs, and specifications, fitting nearly all lifting requirements.
• Constructed from fibers that do not create sparks or conduct electricity, enabling safe use in potentially explosive environments.

Despite their advantages, web slings are often subjected to wear and tear at job sites. Due to their affordability, they can sometimes be mishandled, with insufficient attention paid to protective measures or best rigging practices. Moreover, synthetic web slings are especially vulnerable to environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and ultraviolet light degradation.

This article aims to clarify the fundamental requirements for web slings to comply with ASME B30.9 standards. Such compliance is vital for user safety, prolonging sling lifespan, and minimizing repair costs and production disruptions caused by equipment failures.

Who Is Responsible for Inspecting Webbing Slings and How Often?

All inspections must be carried out by a designated individual, whereas any deficiencies should be addressed by a qualified professional to ascertain hazards and necessary corrective actions.

Two key industry standards offer guidance for inspecting synthetic web slings: OSHA .184 and ASME B30.9.

Initial Inspection (Before First Use)

It is advisable to examine synthetic web slings as soon as they arrive from the manufacturer. Confirm that the sling's tag matches your order and that its rated capacity aligns with your project requirements.

Frequent Inspection (Daily or Prior to Use)

A Competent Person should perform daily visual inspections of synthetic web slings and all attachments for signs of damage or deformation. It is crucial to ensure that the chosen sling meets the specific demands of the job.

Merely inspecting once a day isn't sufficient for slings used multiple times daily. Factors such as shock loads, extreme angles, and heat can quickly compromise the webbing, making inspection before each shift change or task adjustment advisable.

Periodic Inspection Guidelines

A periodic inspection should be performed by a professional service or a Qualified Person at least once a year, with increases to monthly or quarterly inspections in harsher conditions. The following factors determine the inspection frequency:

• How often the sling is utilized.
• The severity of the working environment.
• The nature of the lifts being executed.
• Pasts experiences with slings in similar conditions.

According to ASME recommendations for periodic inspections:

• Normal Service: Annually
• Severe Service: Monthly to Quarterly
• Special Service: As advised by a Qualified Person

Given the operational environment's severity and frequency of use, businesses may opt for more frequent inspections than those mandated.

Essential Information on Web Sling Identification Tags

Each synthetic web sling must be marked by the manufacturer with specific information as per ASME B30.9 standards:

• Name or trademark of the manufacturer, or the repairer if applicable.
• Manufacturer's identification code or stock number.
• Rated load for at least one hitch type and applicable angle.
• Type of synthetic web material utilized.
• Number of legs, if applicable.

It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the sling identification remains intact and legible throughout the sling's lifespan. If the identification tag is lost or unreadable, the inspector must remove the sling from service.

Key Inspection Criteria for Synthetic Web Slings

The primary purpose of inspecting web slings is to assess their strength and suitability for continued use. Daily visual inspections aim to uncover any significant damages that could compromise the sling's integrity and performance.

Although web slings are resistant to mildew, certain chemicals, and physical wear, they can succumb to damage requiring removal from service. Users typically conduct these inspections, and if they find the following issues, the sling should be discarded:

• Missing or illegible identification tag.
• Burns from acids or caustics.
• Melting or charred areas.
• Holes, tears, cuts, or snags.
• Worn stitching in load-bearing sections.
• Visible excessive wear.
• Knots anywhere on the sling.
• Discoloration or stiffened portions indicating potential damage.
• Damaged fittings.
• Other noticeable impairments that may question sling integrity.

Proper Disposal of Worn or Damaged Webbing Slings

A rigorous lifting and rigging inspection program holds no value if damaged slings are not disposed of appropriately. If an inspector determines that a sling is inoperable or extensively damaged, it must be tagged as DO NOT USE.

When marking a sling for removal from service, it is advised to cut the eye, preventing any future use. For longer slings, cut them into shorter segments and dispose of them as regular waste. Consider these disposal practices:

• Cutting the eyes will prevent further usage of the sling.
• If the sling is long enough to allow for an eye to be reformed, cut it to lengths of 3-4 feet.
• Remove tags or labels from the sling prior to disposal.
• Place scraps into designated recycling bins.

Best Maintenance Practices for Synthetic Web Slings

To prolong the lifespan of a web sling and assure its efficiency, it is crucial to maintain them properly during and between uses. Maintaining accessibility and organization while avoiding ground contact can facilitate easier and more thorough inspections.

Suspend slings or store them in a designated locker or rigging container, keeping them off the ground to avoid mechanical harm, moisture, corrosive substances, or extreme temperatures.

Temperature Limitations

Nylon and polyester webbing should never be exposed to temperatures surpassing 194°F (90°C) or falling below -40°F (-40°C).

Handling Chemically Active Environments

The structural integrity of synthetic web slings can diminish in chemically active environments. Exposure can manifest in the form of solids, liquids, gases, vapors, or fumes. It is recommended to consult the manufacturer or a qualified expert before utilizing slings in these environments. Each material, nylon and polyester, exhibits unique resistance properties to certain chemicals.

Sunlight and UV Light Considerations

Exposure to sunlight and UV rays can deteriorate the strength of synthetic web slings. It’s advisable to consult the manufacturer for enhanced inspection and retirement protocols.

Protection Against Edges and Cuts

Synthetic lifting slings are particularly vulnerable to cuts, abrasions, and tears. Employ edge guards or wear pads to shield nylon and polyester web slings during the handling of edged materials. Adding protective materials or coatings during the manufacturing stage can enhance sling durability.

Keeping Your Slings Clean

Continuous exposure to debris and moisture can deteriorate the materials, significantly affecting their lifespan. It’s important to clean slings of grease and dust while ensuring they never undergo cleaning in solvent tanks as the chemicals can weaken the fibers.

Conclusion

Conducting regular inspections of synthetic web slings for damage before use is vital for enhancing safety at the job site. Additionally, training for rigging crews equips them with best practices for identifying and addressing issues that meet ASME B30.9 guidelines for removal from service.

Share this information with your team to formulate a strategy for evaluating your lifting and rigging techniques. Promoting education and transparency is essential to cultivate a secure lifting environment and convey your commitment to safety within your organization.

At Mazzella, we offer an array of services such as site evaluations, rigging and crane operator training, rigging inspection, sling repairs, and comprehensive overhead crane inspections. Our Rigging Inspection Services group, staffed with experts certified by Industrial Training International, is dedicated to ensuring compliance with OSHA .184 and ASME B30.9 standards for sling inspections.

Should you need assistance with any aspect of your lifting and rigging initiatives towards compliance, please feel free to reach out to us.

About Our Rigging Inspection Services

Standards set by OSHA .184, ASME B30.9, B30.20, B30.26, and ANSI Z359 impose the necessity for periodic, documented inspections of slings, rigging hardware, lifting equipment, and fall protection measures every 12 months, with increased frequency for severe service conditions.

Contact us today at 800.362. or click here to schedule inspections for your slings, rigging hardware, lifting systems, or fall protection!

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