Synthetic Round & Web Slings
Synthetic slings are light, flexible and gentle on finished surfaces. They’re also easy to cut. A sharp steel edge can slice through a synthetic sling under load in an instant, so edge protection and careful inspection are a must.
- Riggers
- Millwrights
- General Industry
Photo: polyester round sling with edge protector wrapped around a steel beam corner, sling tag visible
Types
- Web slings: flat woven nylon or polyester webbing with sewn eyes or fittings. Many have red warning yarns inside; if red shows, the sling is worn through.
- Round slings: an endless loop of load-bearing polyester yarns inside a protective cover. The cover protects the yarns but doesn’t carry the load.
The tag
Every synthetic sling must have a legible tag showing the maker, material, rated capacities for each hitch type, and other required information. No tag, no lift.
Know the limits
| Hazard | What to know |
|---|---|
| Sharp edges | The biggest killer of synthetic slings. Use edge protection rated for cutting, not just a rag or cardboard |
| Heat | Nylon and polyester slings generally shouldn’t be used above about 194°F (90°C) or below about −40°F |
| Chemicals | Nylon is weakened by acids; polyester is weakened by alkalis (caustics). Check with the maker for any chemical exposure |
| Sunlight | UV degrades fibers over time; store slings out of the sun |
| Abrasion | Don’t drag slings on the ground or pull them out from under loads |
Remove from service if
- Tag missing or unreadable
- Cuts, holes, tears, snags or punctures
- Red warning yarns showing (web slings), or core yarns showing through the cover (round slings)
- Melting, charring, burns or weld spatter
- Acid or caustic burns, stiffness or discoloration
- Broken or worn stitching in load-bearing splices
- Knots in any part of the sling
- Excessive abrasive wear, or crushed or distorted fittings
Use tips
- Choose the sling for the hitch you’ll use; check the tag’s capacity for that hitch. See Sling Hitches.
- Don’t tie knots to shorten a sling.
- Don’t twist or kink web slings while loading.
- Store clean and dry, hung up out of the sun.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1910.184: Slings
- 29 CFR 1926.251: Rigging equipment
- ASME B30.9: Slings
- See also: Sling Inspection
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