6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Chain Lifting Slings

6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Chain Lifting Slings

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a body in the United States

that plays a critical role in enhancing workplace safety around the country. If you operate

a manufacturing company, you must be OSHA compliant so that you can avoid being on the

wrong side of the law and so that your employees will be protected from harm. One of the

main safety issues that you need to prevent in your manufacturing entity is injuries

associated with falls.

    Several fall protection measures, which have been in place since 1971, govern workplace

safety practices. To prevent falls and associated injuries, you must use the right types of

lifting slings in your lifting operations. Given that there are several types of lifting

slings, some people find it hard to select the best chain sling. This article highlights

some of the factors that you need to consider when it comes time to buy chain slings for your company.

    1. Weight and Strength of the Load

    Every time you evaluate different types of lifting slings

for your operations, consider the weight and strength of the load. It’s common to

see a load falling and breaking, especially it isn’t well-supported from the sides. Use

strong rigging when dealing with a heavy load and provide support from all directions.

Providing support from the sides will prevent falling, thereby preventing injuries to the

workers on site.

    2. Sling Flexibility

    It’s common knowledge that alloy

lifting chain slings are flexible enough and can easily be stretched by a heavy load.

There are other types of lifting round slings that can be stretched as well. Although this is not a very

attractive property of lifting slings, it’s useful in adjusting the load’s center of

gravity. This flexibility prevents the load from leaning on one side, which is extremely

dangerous in the workplace.
    3. Temperature Limits

    When choosing lifting slings, make sure that you pay attention to their temperature

limits. Lifting slings have been made to accommodate temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees

Fahrenheit. Anything beyond these temperatures could be catastrophic. If you’re buying

chain slings to lift heavy machinery and equipment in harsh conditions, make sure that you

check the temperature standards. The chain sling and lifting clamps you choose should be able to

withstand excessive temperatures without stretching or melting.
    4. Sling Ratings

    Most of the slings available have industrial ratings, which indicate specific

conditions of use. Some of the specific details that will be indicated include temperature,

load, operational conditions, and how they are attached to the load. Make sure that the

chain sling with hoist that you will be getting

meets the sling ratings consistent with your needs. If sling ratings and your needs don’t

align, this could spell disaster for your workers.
    5. Wear and Tear Resistance

    Chain slings are exposed to heavy stretching and lifting of very heavy loads.

Therefore, signs of fatigue, wear, and tear is a very common problem encountered when using

lifting string. When buying a lifting sling, try and find a sling that can withstand

fatigue. You should get a chain polyester

sling that does not crack when bent by a small radius. Get a lifting sling that can

withstand wear and tear to serve you for several years.
    6. Lifting Points

    Before making a purchase, make sure that your lifting sling has proper lifting points

on the load. There should be a mechanism which allows your slings to be attached to the

load. Otherwise, you will have to come up with methods of attaching the chain

webbing slings to your

loads. Check that the holes are big enough to accommodate the entire weight of the load and

prevent falls.

    There are many different types of lifting slings available to you. Therefore, you have

to conduct an exhaustive analysis before deciding on which lifting sling you need to use.

After a careful analysis of your needs, you will easily come up with a lifting sling that

meets your needs.