Synthetic Sling Inspection

Designate a qualified person to inspect slings each day before use for damage or defects.

This qualified person also performs additional periodic inspections where service conditions warrant, as determined on the basis of:

• Frequency of sling use,
• Severity of service conditions,
• Nature of lifts being made, and
• Experience gained during the service life of slings used in similar circumstances.

Make periodic inspections of synthetic web slings at intervals no greater than 12 months.  A good guide to follow includes:

• Yearly for normal service use,
• Monthly to quarterly for severe service use, and
• As recommended by a qualified person for special and infrequent service use.

Although OSHA's sling standard does not require you to make and maintain records of inspections, the ASME standard contains provisions on inspection records.

Make a thorough inspection of slings and attachments. Items to look for include:

• Missing or illegible sling identification,
• Acid or caustic burns,
• Melting or charring of any part of the sling,
• Holes, tears, cuts, or snags,
• Broken or worn stitching in load bearing splices,
• Excessive abrasive wear,
• Knots in any part of the sling,
• Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the sling,
• Pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken fittings, and
• Other conditions that cause doubt as to continued use of a sling.

Where any such damage or deterioration is present, remove the sling or attachment from service immediately.