EXPERT COLUMN | LEEA Finding the right sling
broad variety of types, characteristics and performance levels. So, whether you are lifting a valuable and fragile grand piano or hot metal ingots there is a sling for the job. However, these jobs would, of course, call for completely different slings. Running through the main variety of slings, there are chain slings, which can be mechanically assembled or welded assemblies, with the former being the most common. Wire rope slings are available in several different grades, constructions and terminated by various means. Fibre rope slings are generally available in a range of natural and man-made fibres and should be purchased to the applicable national standards. Flat woven webbing slings are manufactured in a similar variety of textile materials to fibre ropes and should always be purchased in accordance with the nationally adopted and current product standards, as should roundslings, which are endless textile slings.
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Further information on standards and the use of these various types of slings can be found in the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment (COPSULE).
Striking a balance However, all of the sling types listed above share common principles in their selection and use. Some of the considerations that may be appropriate in selecting a sling, in no particular order of importance, are as follows: 1. The nature of the load needs to be considered. Consider also its temperature and the presence of sharp edges and polished surfaces. Textile slings are not suitable for a hot load. If the load has sharp edges, chain might be more durable but even so, edge protection will be necessary. If the load is polished or delicate in some other way, then a flat woven webbing sling, a roundsling or fibre rope sling is likely to be best.
12 | September 2026 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
ifting slings, those flexible rigging tools used to connect a crane or hoist to a load, are available in a
Ben Dobbs
Technical Committee
What is the right sling for the job? Ben Dobbs, head of global standards and legislation at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), offers some advice.
of temperatures or they will char or decompose before melting.
2. So, in what kind of operating environment will the sling be used? Hot, corrosive and outdoor environments might be encountered. If the atmosphere is hot, such as near a furnace, then using a chain sling is likely to be more suitable for that environment. Corrosive environments present
a complex problem and specialist advice should always be sought. It should also be remembered that while industrial applications such as plating shops may immediately come to mind, some examples of less obvious environments that can also give rise to corrosive conditions include laundries, swimming baths, pumping stations and sewage works.
If a sling is used outdoors, then
natural fibre ropes are liable to rot and ungalvanised wire ropes to corrode. Marine conditions, atmospheric pollution, construction sites involving rock, mud, etcetera, will all aggravate outdoor environmental issues. Natural fibre ropes are not recommended for use in chemical environments. Man- made fibre ropes have varying resistance to chemicals such as acids, alkalis and solvents. Textile slings are prone to deterioration at high temperatures. Man- made fibres rarely show a sharp melting point; they will either soften over a range
3. How will the sling be handled? Weight, flexibility, hand contact and length adjustment are some of the factors that are likely to be important when handling the sling. Textile slings are lightest for a given lifting capacity and may be most suitable where frequent lifting and carrying of the sling is necessary. While chain and roundslings flex easily, they cannot readily be pushed through a narrow gap, whereas wire rope can. If the effect of hand contact is a consideration then wire rope or chain is hard and cold to touch, whereas fibre is relatively larger in diameter, which is useful if pulling is involved, and warmer to handle. Wire rope is liable to broken wires that can injure hands.
4. Durability can be influenced by factors such as abrasion, storage and repeated use. If abrasion is likely, then chain is most durable and fibre slings are most subject to abrasion damage. If storage for long periods between use is contemplated, a chain sling might be most suitable as other types are prone to various forms of deterioration unless stored under ideal conditions.
5. Extension (stretch). Man-made fibre ropes may be less suitable if stretch is likely to be a problem, such as applications involving precise positioning. It can also be problematic when using two or more slings of different materials.
The above does not represent an
exhaustive list of slings and users are advised to consult a LEEA member if there is any doubt as to the suitability of a sling for any lifting purpose, environment, etcetera. The selection decision will involve striking a balance between various, sometimes conflicting, considerations and the final decision may be one of several compromise solutions.
For further guidance, also consult the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment (COPSULE).
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