Instructions for the safe use of:

Wire Rope Slings

The information in this leaflet should be passed to the user of the equipment

This document is issued in accordance with the requirements of Do not alter, modify or repair a wire rope sling but refer such
Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, matters to a Competent Person.
amended March 1988. It outlines the care and safe use of
WIRE ROPE SLINGS and is based on Section 14 of the LEEA Using Wire Rope Slings Safely
Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment.* It Do not attempt lifting operations unless you understand the use
should be read in conjunction with the requirements for general of the equipment, the slinging procedures and the mode factors
purpose slinging practice, given overleaf, which form an integral to be applied.
part of these instructions.
Do not use defective slings or accessories.
This information is of a general nature only covering the main
points for the safe use of wire rope slings. It may be necessary Do not force, hammer or wedge slings or fittings into position.
to supplement this information for specific applications. They must fit freely. Check to ensure correct engagement of
fittings and appliances.
Position hooks of multi-leg slings facing outward from the load.
ALWAYS: Do not lift on the point of a hook.
• Store and handle wire rope slings correctly. Ensure that the wire rope is not twisted or knotted.
• Inspect wire rope slings and accessories before use and Ensure the effective diameter of pins, hooks etc upon which soft
before placing into storage. eyes fit is at least 2 x the wire rope diameter.
• Follow safe slinging practices, as given overleaf. Position the splices of endless slings in the standing part of the
sling away from hooks and fittings.
• Fit slings carefully, protect them from sharp edges and
position hooks to face outward from the load. Never join wire rope slings made from different lays of rope
together as this will cause them to un-lay thus seriously
• Apply the correct mode factor for the slinging arrangement. affecting their capacity.
• Back hook free legs to the master link. Back hook free legs to the masterlink to avoid lashing legs
NEVER: which might accidentally become engaged or otherwise
become a hazard.
• Attempt to shorten, knot or tie wire rope slings. Take the load steadily and avoid shock loads.
• Force, hammer or wedge slings or their fittings into position. Do not leave suspended loads unattended. In an emergency
• Lift on the point of the hook. cordon off the area.
• Use wire rope slings in acidic conditions without consulting In-service Inspection and Maintenance
the supplier.
• Use wire rope slings at temperatures above 100°C or below Maintenance requirements are minimal. Keep wire rope slings
minus 40°C without consulting the supplier. clean and protect from corrosion. Use non-acidic lubricants
• Shock load wire rope slings. Regularly inspect wire rope slings and, in the event of the
following defects, refer the sling to a Competent Person for
thorough examination: illegible markings; distorted, worn or
damaged fittings; broken or cut wires; kinks; protrusion of core;
Selecting the Correct Sling corrosion; heat damage or discolouration; signs of movement at
Wire rope slings are available in a range of sizes and splices and ferrules; any other visible defect to the wire rope,
assemblies, select the slings to be used and plan the lift taking thimbles or fittings.
the following into account:
Type of sling to be used - endless, single, two, three or four leg.
© Lifting Equipment Engineers Association 2004 SI No. 2.2
Capacity - the sling must be both long enough and strong
enough for the load and the slinging method. Further information is given in:
Apply the mode factor for the slinging method. * The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment,
published by:
For use at temperatures exceeding 100°C or below minus 40°C
refer to the suppliers instructions. LIFTING EQUIPMENT ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION
Where slings may come into contact with acids or chemicals Waggoners Court, 77 The Street, Manuden,
consult the supplier. Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. CM23 1DW
In the case of multi-leg slings the angle between the legs United Kingdom
should not be less than 30° or exceed the maximum marked. Tel: + 44 (0) 1279 816504
Fax: + 44 (0) 1279 816524
Multi-leg slings exert a gripping force on the load which must be E-mail: mail@leea.co.uk
taken into account, this increases as the angle between the
legs increases. EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT & MARINE
Due to the possibility of sparking, the use of aluminium is
restricted in certain classified atmospheres, so ensure the CORPORATION
ferrule is suitable for such conditions. HOWE MOSS PLACE
Storing and Handling Wire Rope Slings KIRKHILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE DYCE
Never return damaged or contaminated slings to storage. They ABERDEEN AB21 0GS
T: + 44 1224 77 51 51
should be dry, clean and protected from corrosion.
Store wire rope slings on a rack and not lying on the ground.
The storage area should be dry and free of any contaminates www . emmcorp . com
which may harm the sling.
 GENERAL PURPOSE SLINGING PRACTICE Safe use of Slings
The following information is based on Section 1 - Appendix 1.5 o Good slinging practice must ensure that the load is as safe
of the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting and secure in the air as it was on the ground and that no
Equipment.* It should be read in conjunction with the harm is done to the load, lifting equipment, other property or
instructions for the safe use, given overleaf, of which it forms an persons.
integral part and with any specific instructions issued by the o Establish the weight of the load, ensure the lifting method is
supplier. suitable and inspect the sling and attachments for obvious
This information is of a general nature only covering the main defects. Prepare the landing area making sure the floor is
points for the safe use of various types of slings for general strong enough to take the load. Follow any specific
lifting purposes. instructions from the supplier.
o Ensure the lifting point is over the centre of gravity. Any loose
parts of the load should be removed or secured. Secure the
ALWAYS: sling firmly to the load by hooks onto lifting points or shackles
etc. The sling must not be twisted, knotted or kinked in any
• Plan the lift, establish the weight of the load and prepare the way.
landing area ensuring that it will take the weight.
o Use packing to prevent damage to the sling from corners or
• Check slings and equipment are free of damage, use edges and to protect the load.
slings/slinging methods suitable for the load and protect
slings from sharp edges and corners. o Do not exceed the SWL or rated angle. Any choke angle
must not exceed 120° and any basket 90°.
• Attach the sling securely to the load and appliance and
position hooks to face outwards. o Do not hammer, force or wedge slings or accessories into
position; they must fit freely.
• Ensure the load is balanced and will not tilt or fall.
o When attaching more than one sling to the hook of the
• Keep fingers, toes etc clear when tensioning slings and when appliance use a shackle to join the slings and avoid
landing loads. overcrowding the hook.
• Ensure that the load is free to be lifted. o Use an established code of signals to instruct the crane
• Make a trial lift and trial lower. driver.
o Ensure the load is free to be lifted and not, for example,
NEVER: bolted down.
• Use damaged slings or accessories. o Check that there are no overhead obstacles such as power
• Twist, knot or tie slings. lines.
• Hammer slings into position. o Keep fingers, toes etc clear ensuring they do not become
trapped when lifting, lowering or controlling loads.
• Overload slings due to the weight of the load or the mode of
use. o Make a trial lift by raising the load a little to ensure it is
balanced, stable and secure and if not lower it and adjust the
• Trap slings when landing the load. slinging arrangement.
• Drag slings over floors etc or attempt to pull trapped slings o Where appropriate use tag lines to control the load.
from under loads.
o Except where special provision is made, do not allow anyone
• Allow personnel to ride on loads. to pass under or ride upon the load. The area should be kept
clear.
o Make a trial set down, ensure the sling will not become
Sling Configurations and Rating trapped and the load will not tip when the slings are released.
Slings are available in single, two, three and four leg or endless Use supports which are strong enough to sustain the load
form. In practice it will be found that chain, wire rope and fibre without crushing.
rope slings are available in any of these configurations but that o Never drag slings over floors etc or attempt to drag a trapped
flat woven webbing is limited to single leg and endless whilst sling from under a load.
roundslings are only supplied in endless form. The maximum
load that a sling may lift in use will be governed by the slinging o Never use a sling to drag a load.
arrangement (mode of use) and may vary from the marked o Place the hooks of free legs back onto the master link and
SWL.** In the case of textile slings the SWL for the various take care to ensure that empty hooks do not become
modes of use is usually given on the information label. In other accidentally engaged.
cases it is necessary to multiply the marked SWL by a mode
factor.*** o Never use slings in contact with chemicals or heat without the
manufacturers approval.
The following three simple rules will ensure that the sling is not
overloaded. In some cases this will mean that the sling will be o Never use damaged or contaminated slings.
under utilised although this is unlikely to hinder the user unduly. o On completion of the lift return all equipment to proper
Where the maximum utilisation is required reference should be storage.
made to a Competent Person who understands the factors
involved and who can perform the necessary calculations.
(1) For straight lift never exceed the marked SWL and in the
case of multi-leg slings the specified angle or range of Further information is given in:
angles. * LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting
(2) When using slings in choke hitch multiply the marked SWL Equipment.
by 0.8 to obtain the reduced maximum load the sling may ** BS 6166 Part 1 - Lifting Slings, Methods of Rating.
lift ie reduce the safe working load by 20%.
*** BS 6166 Part 3 - Selection and Safe Use of Lifting Slings
(3) With multi-leg slings, when using less than the full number for Multi-purposes.
of legs, reduce the maximum load in proportion to the
number of legs in use. Simply multiply the marked SWL by **** HSE Guidance Note GS39 - Training of Crane Drivers and
the number of legs in use expressed as a fraction of the Slingers.
total thus: one leg of a two leg sling = ½ marked SWL, Various British Standards covering individual products.
three legs of a four leg sling = ¾ marked SWL and so on.

Operative Training
Slings should only be used by trained operatives who
understand the methods of rating and application of mode
factors.****
SI GSP 1.1 (2000)