Scheduled maintenance - Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM EDT
We expect this update to take about an hour. Access to this website will be unavailable during this time.
A competent person (sometimes referred to as a designated person) is responsible for all sling inspections.
All slings (new, altered, modified, or repaired) should be inspected by a competent person before they are used in the workplace to make sure they are built to specifications, not damaged, and will be appropriate for the work being performed. For record keeping purposes it is useful if each chain has a metal tag with an identification number and load limit information. Information about the chain length and other characteristics and an inspection schedule should be recorded in a log book.
A competent person must also inspect chain slings periodically, and at least once a year. Inspection frequency is based on how often the sling is used, the types of lifts being performed, the conditions in which the sling is being used, and past experience with service life of similar slings and usage. If the sling is used in more severe conditions, then the inspection should be performed every 3 months. Inspections must be recorded.
In addition to the inspections by a competent person, the user should inspect chain slings and accessories before each use and before placing into storage. Check for visible faults in links and hooks and distortion of fittings.
a) Wear exceeds 15% of a link diameter.
b) Cut, nicked, cracked, gouged, burned, weld splattered, or corrosion pitted.
c) Deformed, twisted or bent chain links or components.
d) Stretched. Links tend to close up and get longer.