from alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh,
synthetic fiber rope (conventional, three-strand construction), synthetic web (nylon, polyester,
and polypropylene), and synthetic round slings.
Definitions
"Angle of loading" is the inclination of a leg or branch of a sling measured from the horizontal or
vertical plane, provided that an angle of loading of 5 degrees or less from the vertical may be
considered a vertical angle of loading.
"Basket hitch" is a sling configuration in which the sling is passed under the load and has both
ends, end attachments, eyes, or handles on the hook or a single master link.
"Braided wire rope" is a wire rope formed by plaiting component wire ropes.
"Bridle wire rope sling" is a sling composed of multiple wire rope legs with the top ends gathered
in a fitting that goes over the lifting hook.
"Cable-laid endless sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope sling made endless by joining the ends
of a single length of cable-laid rope with one or two more metallic fittings.
"Cable-laid grommet-hand tucked" is an endless wire rope sling made from one length of rope
wrapped six times around a core formed by hand tucking the ends of the rope inside the six
wraps.
"Cable-laid rope" is a wire rope composed of six wire ropes wrapped around a fiber or wire rope
core.
"Cable-laid rope sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope sling made from a cable-laid rope with
eyes fabricated by pressing or swaging one or more metal sleeves over the rope function.
"Choker hitch" is a sling configuration with one end of the sling passing under the load and
through an end attachment, handle, or eye on the other end of the sling.
"Coating" is an elastomer or other suitable material applied to a sling, or to a sling component, to
impart desirable properties.
"Cross rod" is a wire used to join spirals of metal mesh to form a complete fabric. E-2
"Fabric (metal mesh)" is the flexible portion of a metal mesh sling consisting of a series of
transverse coils and cross rods.
"Female handle (choker)" is a handle with a handle eye and a slot sized to permit passage of a
male handle, thereby allowing the use of a metal mesh sling in a choker hitch.
"Handle" is a terminal fitting to which metal mesh fabric is attached.
"Handle eye" is an opening in a handle of a metal mesh sling, shaped to accept a hook, shackle,
or other lifting device.
"Hitch" is a sling configuration in which the sling is fastened to an object or load, either directly
to it or around it.
"Link" is a single ring of a chain.
"Male handle (triangle)" is a handle with a handle eye.
"Master coupling link" is an alloy steel, welded coupling link used as an intermediate link to join
alloy steel chain to master links.
"Master link" or "gathering ring" is a forged or welded steel link used to support all members
(legs) of an alloy steel chain sling or wire rope sling.
"Mechanical coup link" is a nonwelded, mechanically closed, steel link used to attach master
links, hooks, etc., to alloy steel chain.
"Proof load" is the load applied when performing a proof test.
"Proof test" is a nondestructive tension test performed by the sling manufacturer, or an equivalent
entity, to verify construction and workmanship of a sling.
"Rated capacity" or "working load limit" is the maximum working load permitted.
"Reach" is the effective length of an alloy steel chain sling measured from the top bearing surface
of the upper terminal component to the bottom bearing surface of the lower terminal component.
"Selvage edge" is the finished edge of synthetic webbing designed to prevent unraveling.
"Sling" is an assembly that connects the load to the material handling equipment.
"Sling manufacturer" is a person or organization that assembles sling components into their final
form for sale to testers. E-3
"Spiral" is a single transverse coil that is the basic element that metal mesh is fabricated from.
"Strand laid endless sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope sling made endless from one length of
rope with the ends joined by one or more metallic fittings.
"Strand laid grommet-hand tucked" is an endless wire rope sling made from one length of strand
wrapped six times around a core, formed by hand-tucking the ends of the strand inside the six
wraps.
"Strand laid rope" is a wire rope made with strands (usually six or eight) wrapped around a fiber
core, wire strand core, or independent wire rope core (IWRC).
"Vertical hitch" is a method of supporting a load by a single, vertical part or leg of the sling.
Safe Practices
Whenever any sling is used, observe the following practices:
(1) Do not use damaged or defective slings.
(2) Do not shorten slings with knots, bolts, or other makeshift devices, or kink sling legs.
(3) Do not load slings in excess of their rated capacities.
(4) Balance the loads of slings used in a basket hitch to prevent slippage.
(5) Securely attach slings to their loads.
(6) Pad or protect slings from the sharp edges of their loads.
(7) Keep suspended loads clear of all obstructions.
(8) Keep all employees clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads.
(9) Do not place hands or fingers between the sling and its load while the sling is being
tightened around the load.
(10) Prohibit shock loading.
(11) Do not pull a sling from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.
(12) Do not drag slings on the floor or over an abrasive surface. E-4
Table E-1.Correction table to compensate for chain link wear
Original nominal chain
stock diameter
(inches)
Reduce safe working load
by following % when diameter at
worn section is as follows
(inches)
Remove from service
when diameter Is
(inches)
5%
10%
1/4 = 0.250
0.244
0.237
0.233
3/8 = 0.375
0.366
0.356
0.335
1/2 = 0.500
0.487
0.474
0.448
5/8 = 0.625
0.609
0.593
0.559
3/4 = 0.750
0.731
0.711
0.671
7/8 = 0.875
0.853
0.830
0.783
1 = 1.000
0.975
0.949
0.895
1 1/8 = 1.125
1.100
1.070
1.010
1 1/4 = 1.250
1.220
1.190
1.120
1 3/8 = 1.375
1.340
1.310
1.230
1 1/2 = 1.500
1.460
1.430
1.340
1 5/8 = 1.625
1.590
1.540
1.450
1 3/4 = 1.750
1.710
1.660
1.570
1 7/8 = 1.875
1.830
1.780
1.680
2 = 2.000
1.950
1.900
1.790 E-5
Table E-2.Safe working load (working load limit) for alloy steel chain slings (pounds)
Chain
size,
inches
Single
breach
sling
90-degree
leading
Double sling
Vertical angle
1
Triple and quadruple sling
Vertical angle
1
30 degree
45 degree
60 degree
30 degree
45 degree
60 degree
Horizontal angle
2
Horizontal angle
2
60 degree
45 degree
30 degree
60 degree
45 degree
30 degree
1/4
3/8
1/2
5/8
3/4
7/8
1
1-1/8
1-1/4
1-3/8
1-1/2
1-3/4
3,250
6,600
11,250
16,500
23,000
28,750
38,750
44,500
57,500
67,000
80,000
100,000
5,560
11,400
19,500
28,500
39,800
49,800
67,100
77,000
99,500
116,000
138,000
172,000
4,550
9,300
15,900
23,300
32,500
40,600
54,800
63,000
81,000
94,000
112,900
140,000
3,250
6,600
11,250
16,500
23,000
28,750
38,750
44,500
57,500
67,000
80,000
100,000
8,400
17,000
29,000
43,000
59,500
74,500
101,000
115,500
149,000
174,000
207,000
258,000
6,800
14,000
24,000
35,000
48,500
61,000
82,000
94,500
121,500
141,000
169,000
210,000
4,900
9,900
17,000
24,500
34,500
43,000
58,000
66,500
86,000
100,500
119,500
150,000
1
Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading, measured as the included angle between the inclined leg and the vertical.
2
Rating of multileg slings adjusted for angle of loading, between the inclined leg and the horizontal plane of the load.
* Other grades of proof-tested steel chains include Proof Coil, BBB Coil, and Hi-Test Chain. These grades are not recommended for
overhead lifting and, therefore, are not covered by these standards. E-6
Table E-3.Safe working load for single leg slings 6 x 19 and 6 x 37 classification improved plow steel grade rope with fiber core (FC)
Rope
Safe working load, tons (2,000 lb)
Diameter
(inches)
Constr
Vertical
Choker
Vertical basket
1
HT
MS
S
HT
MS
S
HT
MS
S
1/4
5/16
3/8
7/16
�
9/16
5/8
3/4
7/8
1
1-1/8
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
6 x 19
0.49
0.76
1.1
1.4
1.8
2.3
2.8
3.9
5.1
6.7
8.4
0.51
0.79
1.1
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.1
4.4
5.9
7.7
9.5
0.55
0.85
1.2
1.6
2.1
2.7
3.3
4.8
6.4
8.4
10.0
0.37
0.57
0.80
1.1
1.4
1.7
2.1
2.9
3.9
5.0
6.3
0.38
0.59
0.85
1.1
1.5
1.9
2.3
3.3
4.5
5.8
7.1
0.41
0.64
0.91
1.2
1.6
2.0
2.5
3.6
4.8
6.3
7.9
0.99
1.5
2.1
2.9
3.7
4.6
5.6
7.8
10.0
13.0
17.0
1.0
1.6
2.2
3.0
3.9
5.0
6.3
8.5
12.0
15.0
19.0
1.1
1.7
2.4
3.3
4.3
5.4
6.7
9.5
13.0
17.0
21.0
1-1/4
1-3/8
1-1/2
1-5/8
1-3/4
2
6 x 37
6 x 37
6 x 37
6 x 37
6 x 37
6 x 37
9.8
12.0
14.0
16.0
19.0
25.0
11.0
13.0
16.0
18.0
21.0
28.0
12.0
15.0
17.0
21.0
24.0
31.0
7.4
8.9
10.0
12.0
14.0
18.0
8.3
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
21.0
9.2
11.0
13.0
15.0
18.0
23.0
20.0
24.0
28.0
33.0
38.0
49.0
22.0
27.0
32.0
37.0
43.0
55.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
41.0
48.0
62.0
HT = Hand-tucked splice and hidden-tuck splice. For hidden-tuck splice (IWRC), use values in HT columns.
MS = Mechanical splice.
S = Swaged or zinc poured socket.
1
These values only apply when the D/d ratio for HT slings is 10 or greater, and for MS and S s