Safehold Roundslings Quick guide

Instructions for
safe use of Slings
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Instructions for safe use of Roundslings
This document is issued in accordance with the requirements of Section 6 of
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, amended March 1988. It outlines
the care and safe use of man-made bre ROUNDSLINGS and is based
on Section 16 of the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting
Equipment. It should be read in conjunction with the requirements for
general purpose slinging practice, given overleaf, which form an integral
part of these instructions.
This information is of a general nature only covering the main points for
the safe use of man-made bre roundslings. It may be necessary to
supplement this information for specic applications.
Selecting the Correct Sling
Roundslings are available in a range of materials and sizes in endless sling
form. Select the slings to be used and plan the lift taking the following
into account:
Material – polyester, identied by a blue label, is resistant to moderate
strength acids but is damaged by alkalis; polyamide (Nylon) identied
by a green label, is virtually immune to alkalis but is damaged by acids;
polypropylene, identied by a brown label, is little affected by acids or alkalis
but is damaged by some solvents, tars and paints and therefore suitable for
appliances where the highest resistance to chemicals other than solvents is
required.
Capacity - the sling must be both long enough and strong enough for the load
and the slinging method. Apply the mode factor for the slinging method.
For use at temperatures exceeding 80°C or below 0°C refer to the
suppliers instructions.
For round slings made to BS EN 1492-2:2000 + A1: 2008 * Polyester and
Polymide -40ºC to 100ºC Proypropylene -40ºC to 80ºC
Always
• Store and handle roundslings correctly.
• Inspect roundslings and accessories before use and before
placing into storage.
• Follow safe slinging practices, as given overleaf.
• Position the bight for choke lift at 120°(natural angle).
• Apply correct mode factor for the slinging arrangement.
• Use protection (to avoid cutting, friction etc) and ttings
which allow the sling to form smooth radii.
Never
• Attempt to shorten, knot or tie roundslings.
• Expose roundslings to direct heat or ames.
• Use roundslings at temperatures above 80°C or below 0°C
without consulting the supplier.
• Expose roundslings to chemicals without consulting the
supplier.
• Shock load roundslings.
• Use roundslings with cut or damaged outer covers. Use a
sling with a missing/damaged label or illegible markings
Ranges vary in a chemical environment, in which case the advice of the
manufacturer or supplier should be sought.
If the slings are to be used in multi-leg arrangement the angle formed
between the legs should not be less than 30° or greater than 90°.
If abrasion, heat generated by friction or cutting from edges or corners
which may damage the sling are likely, select a sling tted with
additional protective sleeves and/or use suitable packing.
Slings with grade 8 / 10 ttings and multi-leg master links should
not be used in acidic conditions. Contact with acids or acidic fumes
causes hydrogen embrittlement to grade 8 / 10 materials. If exposure to
chemicals is likely, the manufacturer or supplier should be consulted.
Storing & Handling
Never return wet, damaged or contaminated slings to storage. They
should be cleaned with clear water and dried naturally. Never force dry
roundslings.
Store roundslings by hanging on non-rusting pegs which allow the free
circulation of air.
The storage area should be dry, clean, free of any contaminates and
shaded from direct sunlight.
Do not alter, modify or repair a roundsling but refer such matters to a
Competent Person.
NOTE: The material from which the roundsling is manufactured may be
identied by the colour of the label or printing on the label: Polyester = Blue,
Polyamide (Nylon) = Green, Polypropylene = Brown. The outer sleeve of
the sling will also be colour coded to indicate the WWL in straight pull.
Using Roundslings Safely
Do not attempt lifting operations unless you understand the use of the
equipment, the slinging procedures and the mode factors to be applied.
Do not use defective slings or accessories.
Check for correct engagement with ttings and appliances, ensuring
smooth radii are formed which allow the sling to assume its naturally
attened form under load. Do not overcrowd ttings.
Position the bight for a choke lift at the natural (120°) angle to prevent
friction being generated.
Keep labels away from hooks and ttings.
Take the load steadily and avoid shock loads.
Do not leave suspended loads unattended. In an emergency cordon off
the area.
Inspection & Maintenance
Maintenance requirements are minimal. Roundslings may be cleaned
with clear water. Remember weak chemical solutions will become
increasingly stronger by evaporation.
Before each use inspect roundslings and, in the event of the following
defects, refer the sling to a Competent Person for thorough
examination: illegible markings; damaged or cut outer cover; damaged
stitching; exposed inner core; heat damage; burns; chemical damage.
©Lifting Equipment Engineers Association 2011 SI No. 4.4
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Instructions for safe use of Webbing Slings
This document is issued in accordance with the requirements of Section 6 of
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, amended March 1988. It outlines
the care and safe use of man-made bre FLAT WOVEN WEBBING
SLINGS and is based on Section 15 of the LEEA Code of Practice for the
Safe Use of Lifting Equipment. It should be read in conjunction with the
requirements for general purpose slinging practice, given overleaf, which
form an integral part of these instructions.
This information is of a general nature only covering the main points for
the safe use of Webbing Slings. It may be necessary to supplement this
information for specic applications.
Selecting the Correct Sling
Webbing slings are available in a range of materials and sizes in single leg
and endless sling forms. Select the slings to be used and plan the lift taking
the following into account:
Material - polyester identied by a blue label is resistant to moderate
strength acids but is damaged by alkalis; polyamide (Nylon) identied
by a green label is virtually immune to alkalis but is damaged by acids;
and polypropylene identied by a brown label is little affected by acids or
alkalis but is damaged by some solvents, tars and paints and therefore,
suitable for appliances where the highest resistance to chemicals other
then solvents is required.
Capacity - the sling must be both long enough and strong enough for the
load and the slinging method.
Apply the mode factor for the slinging method. For use at temperatures
exceeding 80°C or below 0°C refer to the suppliers instructions.
For at woven slings made to BS EN 1492-1:2000 + A1: 2008 Polyester And
Polyamide -40°C to 100° / Polypropylene -40°C to 80°C*
Always
• Store and handle webbing slings correctly.
• Inspect webbing slings and accessories before use and
before placing into storage.
• Follow safe slinging practices as given overleaf.
• Position the bight for choke lift at 120° (natural angle).
• Position the sling so that the load is uniformly spread over
its width and protect the sling from sharp edges.
• Apply the correct mode factor for the slinging arrangement.
Never
• Attempt to shorten, knot or tie webbing slings.
• Expose webbing slings to direct heat or ames.
• Use webbing slings at temperatures above 80°C or below
0°C without consulting the supplier.
• Expose webbing slings to chemicals without consulting the
supplier.
• Shock load webbing slings.
• Use webbing slings which are cut or which have loose or
damaged stitching.
• Use a sling with a missing/damaged label or illegible
markings.
Ranges vary in a chemical environment, in which case the advice of the
manufacturer or supplier should be sought.
If the slings are used in multi-leg arrangement the angle formed
between the legs should not be less than 30° or greater than 90°.
If abrasion, heat generated by friction or cutting from edges or corners
are likely select a sling tted with protective sleeves and/or use suitable
packing.
Slings with grade 8/10 ttings and multi-leg slings with grade 8/10 master
links should not be used in acidic conditions. Contact with acids
or acidic fumes causes hydrogen embrittlement to grade 8/10 materials.
If exposure to chemicals is likely, the manufacturer or supplier should be
consulted.
Storing & Handling
Never return wet, damaged or contaminated slings to storage. They
should be cleaned with clear water and dried naturally. Never force dry
webbing slings.
Store webbing slings by hanging from non-rusting pegs which allow the
free circulation of air.
The storage area should be dry clean free of any contaminates and shaded
from direct sunlight.
Do not alter modify or repair a webbing sling but refer such matters to a
Competent Person.
NOTE: The material from which the sling is manufactured may be
identied by the colour of the label or printing on the label: Polyester = Blue,
Polyamide (Nylon) = Green, Polypropylene = Brown and the sling may also
be dyed with a colour code to indicate SWL.
Using Web Slings Safely
Do not attempt lifting operations unless you understand the use of the
equipment, the slinging procedures and the mode factors to be applied.
Do not use defective slings or accessories.
Check the correct engagement with ttings and appliances, ensure
smooth radii are formed, do not twist or cross slings and do not
overcrowd ttings.
Position the sling so that the load is uniformly spread over its width.
Position the bight for a choke lift at the natural (120°) angle to prevent friction
being generated. Ensure that stitching is in the standing part of the sling
away from hooks and other ttings.
Take the load steadily and avoid shock loads. Do not leave suspended
loads unattended. In an emergency cordon off the area.
Inspection & Maintenance
Maintenance requirements are minimal. Webbing slings may be cleaned
with clear water. Remember weak chemical solutions will become
increasingly stronger by evaporation.
Before each use inspect Webbing slings and, in the event of the following
defects, refer the sling to a Competent Person for thorough
examination: illegible markings; chaffed or cut webbing, damaged or
loose stitching, heat damage, burns, chemical damage, solar degradation,
damaged or deformed end ttings
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General Purpose Slinging Practice
The following information is based on Section 1 - Appendix 1.5 of the LEEA
Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment. It should be read in
conjunction with the instructions for the safe use, given overleaf, of which
it forms an integral part and with any specic instructions issued by the
supplier.
This information is of a general nature only covering the main points for the
safe use of various types of slings for general lifting purposes.
Sling Configuration & Rating
Slings are available in single, two, three and four leg or endless form. In
practice it will be found that chain, wire rope and bre rope slings are
available in any of these congurations but that at woven webbing is limited
to single leg and endless whilst roundslings are only supplied in endless
form. The maximum load that a sling may lift in use will be governed by the
slinging arrangement (mode of use) and may vary from the marked SWL.
In the case of textile slings the SWL for the various modes of use is usually
given on the information label. In other cases it is necessary to multiply the
marked SWL by a mode factor.
The following three simple rules will ensure that the sling is not overloaded.
In some cases this will mean that the sling will be under utilised although
this is unlikely to hinder the user unduly. Where the maximum utilisation is
required reference should be 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 specied angle or range of angles.
(2) When using slings in choke hitch multiply the marked SWL by 0.8 to
obtain the reduced maximum load the sling may lift ie reduce the safe
working load by 20%.
Always
• Plan the lift, establish the weight of the load and prepare the
landing area ensuring that it will take the weight.
• Check slings and equipment are free of damage, use slings/
slinging methods suitable for the load and protect slings
from sharp edges and corners.
• Attach the sling securely to the load and appliance and
position hooks to face outwards.
• Ensure the load is balanced and will not tilt or fall.
• Keep ngers, toes etc clear when tensioning slings and
when landing loads.
• Ensure that the load is free to be lifted.
• Make a trial lift and trial lower.
Never
• Use damaged slings or accessories.
• Twist, knot or tie slings.
• Hammer slings into position.
• Overload slings due to the weight of the load or the mode of
use.
• Trap slings when landing the load.
• Drag slings over oors etc or attempt to pull trapped slings
from under loads.
• Allow personnel to ride on loads.
(3) With multi-leg slings, when using less than the full number of legs,
reduce the maximum load in proportion to the number of legs in use.
Simply multiply the marked SWL by the number of legs in use expressed
as a fraction of the total thus: one leg of a two leg sling = ½ marked
SWL, 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.
Safe use of Slings
• Good slinging practice must ensure that the load is as safe and secure
in the air as it was on the ground and that no harm is done to the load,
lifting equipment, other property or persons.
• Establish the weight of the load, ensure the lifting method is suitable
and inspect the sling and attachments for obvious defects. Prepare the
landing area making sure the oor is strong enough to take the load.
Follow any specic instructions from the supplier.
• Ensure the lifting point is over the centre of gravity. Any loose parts of
the load should be removed or secured. Secure the sling rmly to the
load by hooks onto lifting points or shackles etc. The sling must not be
twisted, knotted or kinked in any way.
• Use packing to prevent damage to the sling from corners or edges and
to protect the load.
• Do not exceed the WWL or rated angle. Any choke angle must not
exceed 120°and any basket 90°.
• Do not hammer, force or wedge slings or accessories into position; they
must t freely.
• When attaching more than one sling to the hook of the appliance use a
shackle to join the slings and avoid overcrowding the hook.
• Use an established code of signals to instruct the crane driver.
• Ensure the load is free to be lifted and not, for example, bolted down.
• Check that there are no overhead obstacles such as power lines.
• Keep ngers, toes etc clear ensuring they do not become trapped when
lifting, lowering or controlling loads.
• 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 slinging arrangement.
• Where appropriate use tag lines to control the load.
• Except where special provision is made, do not allow anyone to pass
under or ride upon the load. The area should be kept clear.
• Make a trial set down, ensure the sling will not become trapped and the
load will not tip when the slings are released. Use supports which are
strong enough to sustain the load without crushing.
• Never drag slings over oors etc or attempt to drag a trapped sling from
under a load.
• Never use a sling to drag a load.
• Place the hooks of free legs back onto the master link and take care to
ensure that empty hooks do not become accidentally engaged.
• Never use slings in contact with chemicals or heat without the
manufacturers approval.
• Never use damaged or contaminated slings.
• On completion of the lift return all equipment to proper storage.
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