Lifting Sling Inspection, Tagging & Replacement Guide

• Synthetic web slings — flat nylon or polyester webbing; light and easy on finished loads
• Polyester round slings — load-bearing yarns in a protective cover, color-coded by capacity
• Wire rope slings — higher strength and better heat and abrasion resistance
• Alloy chain slings — the workhorse for high-temperature, abrasive, heavy lifts

Every sling must carry a permanently affixed, legible tag showing the rated load for the hitch type(s) used, the angle it's based on, and the number of legs. If the tag is missing or unreadable, the sling's working load limit is effectively zero and it must come out of service until the manufacturer re-certifies and re-tags it.

Give each sling a frequent visual check by a competent person before use, plus a documented periodic inspection at least every 12 months — more often (monthly to quarterly) in severe service.

• Missing or illegible tag
• Acid or caustic burns, melting, or charring
• Holes, tears, cuts, or snags
• Broken or worn load-bearing stitching
• Excessive abrasive wear or knots
• Chemical or UV damage, or pitted, cracked, or bent fittings
• Wire rope: 10 random broken wires in one rope lay, or 5 in one strand, crushing, or core protrusion

TexTrack tracks every sling you supply and reminds you and your customer before it's due. See maintenance tracking software for parts suppliers.