Sling Inspection
& Repair
Inspection Critera
Cited below are removal criteria established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American National Standard Institute Safety Standard.
Repairs
- Repairing synthetic slings should never be performed in the field. Any sling to be repaired should first be inspected by a qualified individual to determine if rework is possible.
- Repair work should be performed by a manufacturer.
- Once repair work is finished, the sling must be tested to TWICE the rated working load.
- Records of repair work should be maintained through the life of the sling.
- OSHA 1910.184 - Criteria for Removal From Service.
Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:
a) acid or caustic burns
b) melting or charring of any part of the sling surface
c) snags, punctures, tears, or cuts
d) broken or worn stitches
e) distortion or fittings
- ANSI B30.9-9.5.6.2 - Possible Defects. A sling shall be removed from service if any defects such as the following are visiable:
a) acid or caustic burns
b) melting or charring of any part of the sling surface
c) snags, punctures, tears or custs
d) broken or worn stitches
e) wear or elongation exceeding the amount recommended by manufacturer
f) distortion of fittings
g) other apparent defects which cause doubt as to the strength of the sling should be referred to the manufacturer for determination.
While most of the foregoing standards are quite specific regarding some removal criteria, a certain amount of judgement is involved in others. The issue of wear to the sling body, the salvage of webbing, and to sling eyes creates the greatest amount of contentions. We recommend that any exposure of the RED GUARD wanring years is sufficient cause to remove a sling from service and destroy it.