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Mazzella » Learning Center » Sling Protection Basics: How to Properly Maintain & Store Lifting Slings
Sling Protection Basics: How to
Properly Maintain & Store Lifting
Slings
When you know how to properly care for your slings, you’ll extend
the service life of the product and get a better return on your
investment.
 Mike Close
 July 16, 2019
Rigging Equipment • Rigging Inspections • Lifting and Rigging Training
Does it feel like you’re constantly scrapping out or replacing your lifting
slings? Have you had a recent incident or near miss because of damaged
or failed rigging? While there are best practices for rigging and lifting a
load, an accident or product failure can often be traced back to misuse
and abuse to rigging equipment during, or in-between, lifts. When you
don’t use sling protection, or properly maintain your lifting slings, you
increase the chances of a dropped load, damaged property, injury, or
worse.
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Chain slings, wire rope slings, web slings, roundslings, synthetic rope, and
metal mesh slings can all be used to safely and efficiently lift, move, and
position a load. But, choosing the right type of lifting sling is dependent
on a complete understanding of the application, the environment it’s
being used in, and how the sling will be used to support and lift the load.
At Mazzella, we provide ideal lifting solutions—offering all styles of lifting
slings, rigging hardware, wire rope, overhead cranes and hoists, and
engineered lifting devices. In this article, we’ll provide you with some
considerations and best practices for protecting, maintaining, and
prolonging the service life of your lifting slings.
Sling Protection: How to Prolong the Life of
Your Lifting Slings
Keep reading for tips on how to protect your slings while in use and how
to maintain your slings in-between lifts.
Avoid Exposing Slings to Extreme
Temperatures
No matter what type of lifting sling you’re using, all slings are susceptible
to damage and performance reduction when exposed to extreme

temperatures. Exposure to heat or extreme cold can diminish the strength
of the sling material and reduce the rated load capacity.
While some materials like alloy chain, wire rope, and wire mesh can
tolerate extreme temperatures, they may become brittle, soft, or suffer
strength reduction when exposed to extreme cold or when used in high
heat environments.
Synthetic materials require the most amount of sling protection. Nylon and
polyester slings can actually melt, burn, or char when exposed to high
heat. Slings made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester are
more susceptible to heat and can be damaged easily by weld splatter,
sparks, or by coming into contact with something hot like a machine in
operation, a boiler, or furnace.
See the table below for the recommended temperature conditions from
ASME’s B30.9 Slings standard:
Sling Type
Alloy Chain
Minimum
Maximum
Temperature
Temperature
–40°F / –
1,000°F* / 538°C*
40°C
Wire Rope
Notes
*See reduction of rated load
chart below
Fiber
Fiber Core: 180°F
Consult manufacturer for fiber
Core: –40°F
/
core slings used at temperatures
/–
82°CIWRC: 400°F
below –40°F / –40°C
40°CIWRC: –
/ 204°C
40°F / –40°C
Synthetic
–40°F / –
Web
40°C
194°F / 90°C
Minimum and maximum
temperatures shown for
polyester and nylon slings
Polyester
–40°F / –
Roundslings
40°C
194°F / 90°C
Minimum and maximum
temperatures shown for
polyester and nylon slings
High-
–40°F / –
Performance
40°C
140°F / 60°C
Some synthetic yarns do not
retain their published breaking
Roundslings
strength above 140°F / 60°C.
Consult with manufacturer.
Metal Mesh
–20°F / –
/ Wire Mesh
29°C
550°F / 228°C
Consult manufacturer if using
slings in temperature above or

below minimum / maximum
Synthetic
–40°F / –
Rope
40°C
194°F / 90°C
Minimum and maximum
temperatures shown for
polyester and nylon slings
Effect of Elevated Temperature on Rated Load of Alloy Steel Chain (Table
9-1.8.1-1 – ASME)
Temperature
Grade
Grade 100
80
Alloy Chain
Alloy
Chain
°F
°C
Temporary
Permanent
Temporary
Permanent
Reduction of
Reduction of
Reduction of
Reduction of
Rated Load
Rated Load
Rated Load
Rated Load
While at
After
While at
After
Temperature
Exposure to
Temperature
Exposure to
Temperature
Below 400
Below
Temperature
None
None
None
None
204
400
204
10%
None
15%
None
500
260
15%
None
25%
5%
600
316
20%
5%
30%
15%
700
371
30%
10%
40%
20%
800
427
40%
15%
50%
25%
900
482
50%
20%
60%
30%
1,000
538
60%
25%
70%
35%
Over 1,000
Over
Remove
Remove
Remove
Remove
538
From Service
From Service
From Service
From Service
Make sure that you regularly inspect all lifting slings, fittings, and all
hardware before each use and before a change in lifting application. Heat
damage to a sling can occur on a single lift, so it’s important that your
operators and riggers are properly trained in sling protection and how to

identify damage or irregularities that require a sling to be removed from
service.
Be Aware of Chemical Exposure and
Chemically Active Environments
Processes that use chemicals to change a material’s physical properties are
popular in many production environments. Dipping product or material
into certain chemicals or coatings can add strength and other resistance
properties. For example, the process of galvanizing a metal surface can
add corrosion resistance. Pickling steel cleans the metal surface and
removes impurities, stains, corrosion, and material build-up.
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However, when you’re dipping or coating material, you have to consider
what might happen to your lifting slings when they’re submerged in that
liquid or chemical—especially if it has alkaline or acidic properties.
Nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fiber materials are especially
susceptible to chemical damage. However, nylon and polyester each have
their own unique resistance to certain chemicals, so special consideration
should be given to the type of synthetic sling you use in a chemicallyactive environment.
Nylon
Polyester
Acids
No
*
Alcohols
Yes
Yes
Aldehydes
Yes
No
Strong Alkalis
Yes
**
Bleach Agents
No
Yes
Dry Cleaning Solvents
Yes
Yes
Ethers
Yes
No
Halogenated Hydrocarbons
Yes
Yes
Hydrocarbons
Yes
Yes
Ketonnes
Yes
Yes
Oils (Crude)
Yes
Yes
Oils (Lubricating)
Yes
Yes
Soaps & Detergents
Yes
Yes
Water & Sea Water
Yes
Yes
Weak Alkalis
Yes
Yes
* Disintegrated by concentrated sulfuric acid
** Degraded by strong alkalis at elevated temperatures
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Chemicals may also be present as solids, liquids, gas, vapors, or fumes as
the byproduct of a production process. While your rigging equipment may
not be making direct contact with chemicals, they can still be damaged or
degraded over time by exposure to chemicals in the environment.
Make sure that you regularly inspect your slings before each use and
before a change in lifting application. Chemical exposure may not
necessarily affect the material of the sling, but you’ll also want to inspect
the fittings and hardware for any signs of pitting, chemical damage, or
excessive corrosion.
When using any type of lifting sling, always consult with the manufacturer
or a qualified person if your sling will be exposed to or in contact with a
caustic chemical.
Avoid Prolonged Exposure to Sunlight and
UV Light
The synthetic materials used in web slings, roundslings, and rope slings
can be significantly degraded by long-term exposure to sunlight and
ultraviolet light.
One indication that a web sling or a roundsling has experienced UV
degradation is a change in appearance. A bright yellow web sling may
become faded or almost white in color over time. A bright colored
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roundsling will also become faded and may become whitish or dull in
appearance.
When performing regular inspections of your synthetic slings, look for
faded areas and use your hands to feel for areas that have become stiff
and/or brittle—this could be an indication of ultraviolet light damage.
When not in use, best practices for sling protection include keeping
synthetic slings slings stored in a location that does not receive direct
exposure to sunlight—including away from areas where sunlight may
come in through a window or door.
Avoid Edges and Rough Surfaces – Use Edge
and Cut Protection
Edges, corners, or rough surfaces can do so much damage to a sling—it
doesn’t matter if that sling is made from steel, nylon, or polyester. Without
proper edge or cut protection, a sling supporting a load that has edges or
rough surfaces can experience any of the following:
Synthetic Slings
Holes or punctures
Tears
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Cuts
Snags
Excessive wear or abrasion
Broken stitching
Wire Rope
Dog legs or kinking
Broken wires
Crushing
Excessive wear or abrasion
Damaged fittings
Alloy Chain
Nicks or gouges
Crushed or distorted links or fittings
Excessive wear or abrasion
Metal Mesh
Broken wires
Crushing
Excessive wear or abrasion
Distortion of the mesh or fittings
Synthetic web slings can be manufactured with a special edge guard
coating that can make them more durable, but proper edge and cut
protection should always be used to soften the area where the sling
makes contact with the load. Corner pads and sleeves can be used to
soften an edge and protect the sling against damage, but they can also be
used to protect delicate or finished surfaces of the load from scuffs,
scratches, and crushing.
Because there’s a difference between abrasion-resistant protection and
cut-resistant protection, be sure to identify the type of sling
protection required for your application.
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Keep Your Slings Clean and Free of Debris
When not in use, you should keep your slings and other rigging
equipment clean and neatly organized. Continual exposure to dust, dirt,
oil, and moisture can prematurely break down the fibers of a synthetic
sling and cause corrosion to a metal sling.
Always check your slings for small particulates like dirt, stones, and debris.
When these things get inside of a sling, they can cause friction and
abrasion and begin to wear out the sling from the inside out.
Never use solvents or de-greasing solutions with nylon, polyester,
synthetic fiber, or fiber core wire rope slings!
We’ve seen people mistakenly think they’re taking gear of their gear and
throw greasy slings into a solvent tank used to remove grease and grime
from machined parts. You can’t do this with a synthetic sling—the
chemicals in those solvent tanks will degrade the nylon or polyester fibers
in that sling. Over time, this affects the integrity and strength of the sling.
If using synthetic slings near saltwater, make sure you thoroughly rinse
them to rid them of salt, which can be abrasive when it dries and
crystallizes.
How to Organize and Store Your Slings
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The best way to help extend the life of a sling, and help to ensure that it
stays in service, is to properly maintain it during and in-between each use.
Take good care of your gear and your gear will take care of you—it’s that
simple.
When your rigging gear is organized, it makes it that much easier to find
and select the right piece of equipment when you need it. You’ll be able to
see what slings you have at your disposal, read the tag to make sure the
W.L.L. suits the lift, and identify any damage or irregularities before it’s put
into service. Also, one of the best ways you can prepare for a periodic
inspection is to have your slings organized so the inspector can
systematically work through and document the condition of each of your
lifting slings.
Keep your slings stored somewhere where they’re off the ground and away
from moisture, extreme temperatures, chemicals, and mechanical devices.
Keep slings off of the ground so that they’re not susceptible to being run
over or crushed by fork trucks or other vehicles in operation.
In a production facility, hang slings on racks or in storage lockers to
organize them and keep them off of the ground. On a construction site,
utilize a rigging box or another container where you can keep your slings
organized and away from dirt, moisture, and sunlight. Here are some other
things to keep in mind to keep your slings and other rigging equipment in
great condition:
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Keep your slings off of the ground and store them in a cool, dry, and
dark environment
Avoid continued exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures and
store them away from direct sunlight and UV exposure to prevent loss
of strength
Keep your slings clean. Continual exposure to dust, dirt, and moisture
can degrade the materials over time and shorten the life expectancy of
the product
Do not store your slings in a chemically active environment. Chemically
active environments can affect the strength of the sling material in
varying degrees, ranging from little to total degradation.
Be aware of environmental temperatures and select slings and rigging
with appropriate temperature resistance
Use edge protection or barriers to prevent cutting, abrasion, wear, or
broken wires when lifting materials with edges
Always contact the manufacturer with any questions or concerns about
maintaining, storing, and protecting your slings
When your employees know how to properly care for their slings, you’ll
extend the service life of the product and get a better return on your
investment. When your employees regularly inspect their slings and
rigging equipment, they can identify a potential issue before a failure
causes an accident, near-miss, injury, or damage to property.
At Mazzella, we have a certified team of inspectors that perform OSHA
and ASME compliant rigging inspections. We also offer classroom
training where we teach your team best practices for inspecting,
maintaining, and using their lifting and rigging equipment.
If you’d like more information, or want to schedule a consultation with a
Lifting Specialist, contact us today!
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