Versin: 2 Page: 1 f 7 Table f Cntents 1.0 Intrductin... 2 1.1 Purpse... 2 1.2 Scpe... 2 1.3 Definitins... 2 1.4 Training Requirements... 3 1.5 Persn Prtective Equipment (PPE) Requirements... 3 2.0 General Requirements... 3 3.0 Inspectins... 3 4.0 Ally Steel Chain Slings... 4 5.0 Wire Rpe Slings... 4 6.0 Metal Mesh Slings... 5 7.0 Natural and Synthetic Fiber Rpe Slings... 5 8.0 Synthetic Web Slings... 6 9.0 References... 7
Versin: 2 Page: 2 f 7 1.0 Intrductin 1.1 Purpse The purpse f these guidelines is t establish safe wrk practices t prtect all Emry emplyees, students, visitrs, and cntractrs frm wrkplace hazards assciated with the use f slings as prescribed in the Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin (OSHA) Standard - 29 CFR 1910.184 Slings. While sme entities and/r divisins f Emry may have additinal r mre stringent guidelines, the guidelines utlined in this dcument shall serve as the minimum requirements fr all. 1.2 Scpe These guidelines are inclusive f Emry emplyees, including Emry Healthcare (EHC), faculty, staff, students, cntractrs, and ther peple wh wrk with r in clse prximity t slings. A sling is an assembly that cnnects the lad t the material handling equipment. The types f slings cvered are thse made frm ally steel chain, wire rpe, metal mesh, natural r synthetic fiber rpe, and synthetic web. 1.3 Definitins Basket Hitch. A sling cnfiguratin whereby the sling is passed under the lad and has bth ends, end attachments, eyes, r handles n the hk r a single master link. Braided wire rpe. A wire rpe frmed by plaiting cmpnent wire rpes. Cmpetent Persn. A persn wh, by pssessin f a recgnized degree r certificate f prfessinal standing in an applicable field, r wh, by extensive knwledge, training, and experience, has successfully demnstrated the ability t slve r reslve prblems relating t the subject matter and wrk Equivalent Entity. A persn r rganizatin which, by pssessin f equipment, technical knwledge, and skills, can perfrm with equal cmpetence the same repairs and tests as the persn r rganizatin with which it is equaled. Hitch. A sling cnfiguratin whereby the sling is fastened t an bject r lad, either directly t it r arund it. Prf Lad. The lad applied in perfrmance f a prf test Prf Test. a nndestructive tensin test perfrmed by the sling manufacturer r equivalent entity t verify cnstructin and wrkmanship f a sling. Rated capacity r wrking lad limit. The maximum wrking lad permitted. Selvage edge. The finished edge f synthetic webbing designed t prevent unraveling. Shck lading. Sudden applicatin f the weight f the lad.
Versin: 2 Page: 3 f 7 1.4 Training Requirements Only designated and prperly trained persnnel are permitted t perate a sling. Training includes a review f the fllwing infrmatin, as well as any manufacturer infrmatin r required training related t the equipment being used. 1.5 Persn Prtective Equipment (PPE) Requirements Persnnel perating slings shuld wear the apprpriate persnal prtective equipment. Head prtectin hard hats. Ft prtectin safety shes with metatarsal prtectin. Hand prtectin wrk glves. Eye prtectin safety glasses. Any ther PPE deemed necessary fr the area and wrk cnditins. 2.0 General Requirements Select the apprpriate sling fr its intended use, based n the size f the lad and wrkplace envirnment. D nt use wrn r damaged slings until repaired and sufficiently prf tested by the manufacturer. D nt shrten slings with knts, blts, r ther makeshift equipment. Ensure sling legs are free f any kinks. Ensure that the rated lad f the sling is clearly marked and/r labeled. D nt lad slings in excess f the rated capacity. Securely attach slings t their lads. Balance lads in slings used in a basket hitch t prevent slippage. Pad r prtect slings frm any sharp edges within the lad. Keep suspended lads clear f bstructins. Keep all persnnel clear f suspended lads and lads abut t be lifted. Shck lading is prhibited. Keep hands and fingers safely free f the sling while being tightened arund a lad. D nt pull a sling frm under a lad while the lad is resting n the sling. 3.0 Inspectins Inspectins must be cnducted by a cmpetent persn designated by the supervisr. Ensure that slings are cleaned prir t each inspectin, as dirt r il may hide damage. Prir t each use f a sling, cnduct a visual inspectin f the sling and all fastenings and attachments. The visual inspectin checks the entire length f the sling fr signs f damage and/r defects that culd interfere with prper peratin. Cnduct additinal inspectins during sling use as needed. Immediately remve damaged r defective slings frm service.
Versin: 2 Page: 4 f 7 4.0 Ally Steel Chain Slings Chains are cmmnly used because f their strength and ability t adapt t the shape f the lad and are the best chice fr lifting materials that are very ht. Exercise cautin when using ally chain slings because they are subject t damage by sudden shcks. Imprper use f chain slings culd damage the sling, resulting in sling failure and ptential injury. Permanently remve ally steel chain slings frm service if heated abve 1000 ºF. When expsed t temperatures abve 600 ºF, reduce the maximum lad limits accrding t manufacturer s recmmendatins. Affix identificatin n ally steel chain slings stating the size, grade, rated capacity, and reach. Ensure that all attachments, including hks, rings, links, r ther attachments, have a rated capacity at least equal t that f the sling n which they are being used. Makeshift attachments are nt permitted. Thrughly inspect ally steel chain slings at least every 12 mnths. The frequency f this inspectin is determined based n the frequency f use, severity f service cnditins, nature f lifts, and experience with the life f ther slings used under similar circumstances. This inspectin must be cnducted by a designated cmpetent persn. Thrughly examine the equipment fr signs f wear, defective welds, defrmatin, and increase in length. Maintain a recrd f inspectins and keep recrds readily available. If any deteriratin r defect is fund, immediately remve the sling frm service. Befre using a sling that is new, repaired, r recnditined the sling must be prf tested by the manufacturer r equivalent identity. Maintain a certificate f the prf test. 5.0 Wire Rpe Slings Wire rpe is cmpsed f individual wires that have been twisted t frm strands, which are then twisted t frm a wire rpe. Wire rpe with a fiber cre is usually mre flexible but susceptible t envirnmental damage. Wire rpe with a cre made f a wire rpe strand has greater strength and is mre resistant t heat damage. When selecting the prper wire rpe sling, cnsider the strength, ability t withstand repeated bending, ability t withstand abrasive wear, and ability t withstand misuse. Permanently remve fiber cre slings frm service if heated abve 200 ºF. When nnfiber cre slings are used at temperatures abve 400 ºF r belw -60 ºF, fllw manufacturer s recmmendatins fr use at that temperature. Stre in a well-ventilated, dry area. Wire rpe slings are susceptible t rust and crrsin and must be prtected frm the elements. Lubricate wire rpe slings peridically t prevent crrsin and wear due t frictin. Perfrm welding f end attachments prir t sling assembly. D nt use welded end attachments unless prf tested at twice their rated capacity. Maintain a recrd f the prf test. Immediately remve wire rpe slings frm service if any f the fllwing cnditins are present:
Versin: 2 Page: 5 f 7 Ten randmly distributed brken wires are present in ne rpe lay, r five brken wires in ne strand in ne rpe lay. Wear r scraping f ne-third the riginal diameter f utside individual wires. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, r any ther damage resulting in distrtin f the wire rpe structure. Evidence f heat damage. End attachments are wrn, cracked, defrmed, r damaged. Hks have been pened mre than 15 percent f the nrmal thrat pening measured at the narrwest pint. Crrsin f the rpe r end attachments. 6.0 Metal Mesh Slings Metal mesh slings are widely used in metalwrking and in ther industries where lads are abrasive, ht, r will tend t cut web slings. Unlike nyln and wire rpe slings, metal mesh slings resist abrasin and cutting. These slings grip the lad firmly withut extensive stretching, easily maintaining balanced lads. Hwever, they are susceptible t rust, crrsin, and chemical expsure. Metal mesh slings can als damage the surface f the lad. Only use metal mesh slings nt impregnated with elastmers in a temperature range frm -20 ºF t 550 ºF. Only use metal mesh slings impregnated with plyvinyl chlride r neprene in a temperature range frm 0 ºF t 200 ºF. Ensure handles have a rated capacity at least equal t the metal fabric and shw n defrmatin after prf testing. Jin fabric and handles s that the rated capacity is nt reduced, the lad is evenly distributed acrss the fabric, and sharp edges will nt damage the fabric. D nt use catings that may diminish the rated capacity. Ensure that all new and repaired slings are prf tested by the manufacturer t a minimum f 1 ½ times their rated capacity. Maintain a recrd f the prf test. Repairs must be made by the manufacturer r equivalent identity. Maintain recrds f all repairs. Immediately remve metal mesh slings frm service if any f the fllwing cnditins are present: A brken weld r brken brazed jint alng the sling edge. Reductin f wire diameter f 25% due t abrasin r crrsin. Lack f flexibility. Any damage r distrtin f the sling r handles. 7.0 Natural and Synthetic Fiber Rpe Slings Natural and synthetic fiber rpe slings are used primarily fr temprary wrk, such as cnstructin and painting jbs. Fiber rpe slings are pliant, grip lads well, and d nt mar the surface f the lad. Hwever, they can be susceptible t damage frm chemicals and prlnged expsure t sunlight. Use natural and synthetic fiber rpe slings in a temperature range frm -20 ºF t 180 ºF, except fr wet r frzen slings. Fllw manufacturer s
Versin: 2 Page: 6 f 7 recmmendatins fr use utside f this range. Only use spliced slings if they have been spliced in accrdance with the fllwing minimum requirements as well as any manufacturer recmmendatins: In manila rpe, eye splices shall cnsist f at least three full tucks and with shrt splices at least six full tucks. In synthetic fiber rpe, eye splices shall cnsist f at least fur full tucks and with shrt splices at least eight full tucks. Strand end tails shall nt be trimmed flush with the surface f the rpe immediately adjacent t the full tucks. The tails shall extend a minimum f six inches beynd the last full tuck. Fiber rpe slings shall have a minimum clear length f rpe between eye splices equal t ten times the rpe diameter. D nt use knts in lieu f splices. Only use clamps designated fr fiber rpes. Fr all eye splices, the eye shall be f such size t prvide an included angle n greater than 60 degrees at the splice. Ensure that end attachments with sharp edges r prjectins are nt in cntact with the rpe. Only use fiber rpe slings made frm new rpe. Immediately remve fiber rpe slings frm service if any f the fllwing cnditins are present: Abnrmal wear. Pwdered fiber between strands. Brken r cut fibers. Variatins in the size r rundness f strands. Disclratin r rtting. Distrtin f hardware. 8.0 Synthetic Web Slings The mst cmmnly used synthetic web slings are made f nyln, Dacrn, and plyester. Synthetic web slings are versatile because f their strength, ability t cnfrm t any shape, nn-slip grip, resistance t crrsin and abrasin, shck absrbency, and temperature resistance. D nt use synthetic web slings f plyester and nyln in temperatures abve 180 ºF. D nt use plyprpylene web slings at temperatures abve 200 ºF. Ensure that synthetic webbing is f unifrm thickness and width. Ensure that fittings are f a minimum breaking strength equal t that f the sling and free f sharp edges. Only attach end fittings and frm eyes by stitching. Ensure that the thread cntains a sufficient number f stitches t develp the full breaking strength f the sling. D nt use synthetic web slings in areas where fumes, vaprs, sprays, mists r liquids f acids, caustics, r phenlics are present. Repairs must be made by the manufacturer r equivalent identity. Maintain a recrd f all repairs. Ensure that repaired slings are prf tested by the manufacturer t twice the
Versin: 2 Page: 7 f 7 rated capacity befre returning t service. Maintain a recrd f the prf testing. Immediately remve synthetic rpe slings frm service if any f the fllwing cnditins are present: Acid r caustic burns. Melting r charring f any part f the sling surface. Snags, punctures, tears, r cuts. Brken r wrn stitches. Distrtin f fittings. 9.0 References Occupatinal Health and Safety Administratin (OSHA) Slings - 29 CFR 1910.184. OSHA Persnal Prtective Equipment - 29 CFR 1910.132-138. American Natinal Standard fr Occupatinal and Educatinal Persnal Eye and Face Prtectin Devices ANSI Z87.1 (current). Standard Specificatin fr Perfrmance Requirements fr Ft Prtectin ASTM F2413-05 (current). American Natinal Standard fr Industrial Head Prtectin ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 (current).