Tel: + 44 (0) 1767 312125      Fax: + 44 (0) 1767 601375
e-mail: sales@angliahandling.co.uk
 
GUIDANCE
 Do's
1. Know the weight being lifted, and also allow for the weight of your gear.
   
2. Always select lifting gear of adequate strength and see that it is properly marked; no chain or rope should be used for any load exceeding the safe working load.
   
3. Ensure that end links, rings or shackles are riding freely on any hook on which they hang.
   
4. Care should be taken when using Collar Slings that the lifting hook does not bear on the small end of the egg link.
   
5. Use wood or other packing to protect the sling from any sharp edges on the load.
   
6. Avoid shocks due to (a) the load slipping, or (b) snatch in starting. The stress on all gear is much greater if the load is applied suddenly.
 
 Don'ts
7. Never use an excessively pitted, corroded or worn chain. (Condemn and cut it up).
   
8. Never use a chain in which links are locked, stretched or do not move freely.
   
9. Never join chains by bolting or wiring links together.
   
10. Never shorten a chain by tying knots - use an shortening clutch or keep an adequate supply of slings of suitable lengths.
   
11. Do not drag a chain from under a load, or drop it from a height.
   
12. Do not hammer a link to straighten or force it into position.
   
13. Do not use the load chain of a block as a sling by hooking round the load.
   
14. Do not carry idle slings on the crane hook at the same time as loaded sling.
Multiple Leg Slings
15. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association recommends a standard normal practice of marking and certifying multi-leg slings with the safe working load with each leg at 0 - 45 degrees from vertical. Avoid too wide an angle between legs - above 45 degrees from vertical the Safe Working Load decreases rapidly.
   
16. If you cannot be sure of loading all legs equally, use a sling strong enough to carry all the load safely on those legs which may have to support it.
Endless Slings
17. Endless chain slings must be used with care to avoid possible overloading or damage to links by bending too sharply. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association of Great Britain recommends a standard normal practice of marking and certifying endless slings with the safe working load equal to 1.5 times the load on the single chain. This allows some margin of safety of varying conditions of use.
Wire Rope Slings
18. Wire ropes should never be bent at any point
   
19. Wire ropes should never be in contact with hot metal
   
20. Wire ropes should not be allowed to become rusty
Fibre Rope and Webbing Slings
21. Rope and Webbing Slings should be frequently examined for external chafe and cutting, as well as internal wear between strands and deterioration of the fibres. Slings should be placed on a flat surface in a well lit area and examined over the whole length and particularly inside the eyes.
   
22. Rope and Webbing Slings should not be thrown on the ground and left there. Such action can result in the ingress of dirt which will have a detrimental effect on the life of the sling. All damp slings made from natural fibres should be properly and slowly dried in a well ventilated store to avoid the risk of damage from rot.
Shackles
23. The Safe Working Load of a shackle depends upon several factors, e.g. body size, pin size, body opening and jaw opening. Be sure that any shackle used has the correct pin and is suitable for the load to be carried.