Best Practices for Maintaining & Storing Lifting Slings

Lifting slings are essential tools in many industries, designed to safely lift and transport heavy loads. Proper maintenance and storage are essential to ensure their longevity, reliability, and safety. Below are the best practices for maintaining and storing lifting slings, helping you get the most out of your equipment while minimising risks.

1. Regular Inspection Is Key

Regular inspections are important for safe and effective lifting sling usage. It’s important to check slings before every use and conduct more comprehensive inspections at regular intervals.

Daily Pre-Use Checks: Inspect slings visually for fraying, cuts, abrasions, broken stitching, and other visible damage. Check for stiffness or discolouration, which can indicate chemical exposure. If you’re using wire rope slings, inspect for broken strands, kinks, or bird caging.
Optical Clarity: Optical tests check for any distortion or imperfections in the lenses that could impair the wearer's vision. These tests ensure that the lenses do not alter or distort the wearer's sight.
Periodic Professional Inspections: Schedule inspections by a qualified professional based on your usage frequency and environment. High-use or high-stress slings should be inspected more frequently. Keep a log of inspection dates and findings.
Post-Incident Checks: After an overload, severe environmental exposure, or an incident involving the sling, a detailed inspection is crucial before reuse.

Proactively identifying potential issues can prevent accidents, ultimately saving time, money, and lives.

2. Follow Manufacturer Guidelines

Every lifting sling is manufactured with specific materials, capacities, and tolerances. Using slings outside their intended design can lead to dangerous failures. Be sure to follow these practices:

Understand Weight Ratings: Never exceed the Working Load Limit (WIL) of your sling. Know the capacity for different configurations, including vertical, choker, or basket hitches.
Check for Environmental Restrictions: Some slings are designed for specific conditions, such as extreme temperatures or chemical exposure. For example, synthetic slings may degrade in high heat, while wire slings are vulnerable to corrosion.
Use Only Approved Accessories: Pair slings with the appropriate hooks, shackles, and other hardware recommended by the manufacturer to maintain safety.
Post-Incident Checks: After an overload, severe environmental exposure, or an incident involving the sling, a detailed inspection is crucial before reuse.

By staying within the guidelines, you reduce wear and tear and ensure safety during operations.

3. Clean Slings Properly

Dirt, grime, and chemical exposure can weaken your slings over time, especially synthetic ones. Proper cleaning can help extend their lifespan.

Synthetic Slings: Clean synthetic slings (like nylon or polyester) with warm water and mild soap to remove dirt. Avoid abrasive brushes or high-pressure washers, as these can damage fibres. After cleaning, hang them to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from sunlight or heat sources.
Wire Rope Slings: Remove dirt, grease, or debris using a wire brush. Apply a light coat of lubricant to prevent corrosion.
Chain Slings: Wipe down chains to remove debris and inspect for rust. Avoid using corrosive cleaning agents.

Cleaning also provides a good opportunity to inspect slings for hidden damage that might not be visible when they’re dirty.

4. Protect Slings During Use

Lifting sling often endure harsh conditions during use, but damage can be minimised with proper precautions:

Use Edge Protectors: Place edge protectors or wear pads on sharp corners of the load to prevent cuts, abrasion, or punctures in synthetic slings.
Avoid Dragging: Never drag slings across rough or uneven surfaces, as this can fray synthetic fibres or scratch wire rope.
Control the Load: Ensure the load is balanced and properly secured to avoid excessive tension on one part of the sling, which could cause stretching or failure.
Protect from Extreme Conditions: High temperatures, UV radiation, and chemicals can weaken slings. If you’re operating in challenging environments, invest in slings specifically designed for those conditions.

Taking these precautions during lifting operations help preserve sling strength and functionality.

5. Store Slings Correctly

Proper storage ensures that slings remain safe and ready for use. Improper storage can lead to unnecessary damage, reducing their lifespan and compromising safety. Best practices include:

Hang or Lay Flat: Store slings on racks, hooks, or shelves to avoid tangling or crushing. For chain or wire rope slings, ensure they are not coiled too tightly, which can cause kinks.
Control the Environment: Keep slings in a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled area. Avoid storing them near windows or outdoors, where exposure to sunlight, rain, or extreme temperatures can degrade materials.
Organise Storage Areas: Label racks or storage bins by sling type, capacity, or size to ensure easy identification and reduce handling mistakes.

Proper storage not only extends sling life but also enhances efficiency during lifting operations.

6. Replace Damaged Slings Immediately

Continuing to use a damaged sling puts workers and loads at significant risk. Follow these steps for damaged slings:

Identify Critical Damage: Replace slings with visible fraying, cuts, broken wires, corrosion, or deformation. For synthetic slings, also look for melted fibres or chemical burns.
Remove from Service: Clearly mark damaged slings as “Do Not Use” and remove them from storage to prevent accidental use.
Dispose Responsibly: Cut damaged synthetic slings into smaller sections so they can’t be reused. For wire or chain slings, consult local guidelines for proper recycling or disposal.

Remember, a damaged sling is an accident waiting to happen – it’s better to replace it immediately than risk an accident.

7. Train Your Team

Even the best equipment can fail if not used correctly. Training your team ensures everyone understands how to handle slings safely and maintain them properly:

Hands-On Training: Provide practical demonstrations on sling inspection, use, and storage. Show how to identify damage, measure load capacities, and protect slings from wear.
Certification Programs: Encourage team members to complete accredited lifting and rigging courses to enhance their skills and knowledge.
efresher Courses: Regularly schedule refresher training to update workers on best practices, safety guidelines, and regulatory changes.

A well-trained team reduces accidents, extends equipment lifespan, and fosters a culture of safety and professionalism.

Lifting slings are invaluable tools in heavy-lifting operations, but their effectiveness depends on proper care and handling. By following these expanded best practices – regular inspections, cleaning, protective measures during use, and proper storage – you can extend the life of your slings while ensuring workplace safety.

At Bunzl Safety, we’re here to support you with high-quality lifting equipment and solutions tailored to your industry.

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Best Practices for Maintaining and Storing Lifting Slings