SYNTHETIC WEBBING & ROUND SLING INSPECTION

Inspection Criteria (BS EN 696,697,699 & LEEA Approved Code of Practice Safe Use of Lifting Equipment 5th Ed)
1. Safe Working Load Marking
6. Cuts in Stitching
2. Identity Number
7. Discoloration (Chemical attack & Sun Effect)
3. Color Inspection Code
8. Burn Mark on Outer Surface
4. Broken Load Bearing Internal Yarn
9. Knots
5. Cuts and Abrasion to External Cover
Chemical Resistance
Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene

Acids
No
Yes
Yes

Alkalis
Yes
No
Yes

Solvent
Yes
Yes
No

Color Code Plastic Sleeve Fitted

Type of Fiber
Color
Nylon
Green
Polyester
Blue
Polypropylene
Red/ Brown
Color Code According to BS EN 1492-1
WLL 1 T
WLL 2 T
WLL 3 T

WLL 4 T

WLL 5 T

WLL 6 T

WLL 8 T

WLL >10 T

Sample Picture of Rejected Fiber Slings

Surface and Edge Cut
All of the fibers in the synthetic sling contribute to the
strength of the sling. 1mm cut it reduce 40% strength
from the MBL (Minimum Breaking Load)
To prevent:
Always protect synthetic sling from being cut by corners
and edges by using wear Pads or other devices.

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Sample Picture of Rejected Fiber Slings

Holes/ Snags/ Pulls
Punctures or areas where fibers stand out from the rest of
the sling surface.
To Prevent:
Avoid slings contact whit protrusions, both during lift and
while transporting or storing

Abrasion
Areas of the sling that look and feel fuzzy indicate that the
fibers have been broken by being subject to contact and
movement against a rough surface. Affected areas are
usually stained.
To prevent:
Never drag slings along the ground.
Never pull slings from under loads that are resting on the
slings.

Heat / Chemical Damage

Heat and Chemical damage can look similar and they both
have the effect the damaging sling and compromising the
slings strength. Look for discoloration and/ or fibers that
have been fused together and often feel hard or crunchy.
To prevent:
Never used Nylon or Polyester slings where they can be
exposed to temperatures in excess 1000 C.
Never used Nylon or Polyester slings in or around
chemicals without confirming that the slings material
compatible with the chemical being used.
Knots
Knots compromising the strength of the slings by not
allowing all fiber to contribute the lift as designed. Knots
may reduce sling strength to 50% from MBL.

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Sample Picture of Rejected Fiber Slings

Broken/ Worn Stitching
The stitch patterns in the fiber slings have been engineered
to produce the most strength out of the slings. Is the
stitching not fully intact, the strength of the slings may be
affected.
To Prevent:
Never pull slings from the beneath loads where stitch
pattern can get hung up or snagged.

Illegible of Missing Tags

The information provided by sling tag is important for
knowing what sling to use and how it will function.
If you cant find or read all of the information on the sling
tag, BS Standard require that the slings shall be taken out
of services.
To prevent:
Avoid paint or chemical contact with tags.

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