Alloy Chain Slings
Alloy chain slings are tough, handle heat and rough loads well, and last a long time with care. But only the right kind of chain is allowed for overhead lifting, and a chain sling that has been stretched, nicked or overheated can fail without much warning.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Rigging
Only alloy chain for lifting
- Overhead lifting slings must be made of alloy steel chain, usually marked Grade 80, 100 or 120.
- Never use Grade 30, 43 or 70 chain (proof coil, high-test or transport chain used for tie-downs) for overhead lifting.
- Use only fittings rated for the chain: hooks, master links and couplers made for alloy chain slings.
The tag
Every alloy chain sling must have a durable tag showing its size, grade, rated load (by hitch and angle), reach and number of legs, and the manufacturer (OSHA 1910.184). No tag or an unreadable tag means the sling comes out of service until it’s re-tagged by a qualified person.
Inspections
- Before each use (at least daily): a competent person looks over the sling and fittings.
- Periodic thorough inspection at least every 12 months, more often with heavy use, link by link. Keep a record of the most recent one.
Remove from service when you find
- Missing or unreadable tag
- Cracks, or links that are stretched, bent or twisted
- Wear, nicks or gouges beyond the manufacturer’s limits
- Links that don’t hinge freely, or a sling that won’t hang straight
- Heat damage, discoloration, weld spatter or arc strikes
- Hooks with throat openings stretched or tips twisted, or missing latches where required
- Damaged master links or couplers
Damaged slings should be repaired only by the manufacturer or a qualified person, and proof-tested afterward.
Using chain slings
- Know the load weight and choose a sling rated for it in the hitch you’ll use. See Estimating Load Weight.
- Watch the sling angle. The flatter the legs, the more tension on each one. At 30° from horizontal, each leg carries twice its share of the load. See Sling Hitches.
- Pad sharp corners. Chain resists cutting better than synthetic slings, but sharp edges can bend or nick links.
- Seat the load in the bowl of the hook, not on the tip.
- Lift slowly to take up slack; keep hands out of pinch points.
- Never tie knots in chain or shorten it with bolts or wire.
- Never use homemade links or repair a sling with a mechanic’s link.
- Don’t shock-load, drag or drop chain slings.
- Don’t use chain slings in temperatures above the manufacturer’s limits without reducing the rated load. Capacity usually drops above about 400°F.
Storage
Hang chain slings on a rack, off the ground, away from moisture and chemicals, where they won’t be run over.
Standards & references
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