Wire Rope Sling Facts
INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT PER ANSI B30.9
INSPECTION
All slings shall be visually inspected by the person handling the sling each day they are used. In addition,
recorded periodic inspection must be done annually.
- Distortion of the rope in the sling such as kinking, crushing, unstranding, birdcaging, main strand
displacement or core protrusion. Loss of rope diameter in short rope lengths or unevenness of outer
strands should provide evidence the sling should be replaced.
- General corrosion.
- Broken or cut strands.
- Number, distribution, and type of visible broken wires.
REPLACEMENT
Condition such as the following should be sufficent reason for consideration of sling replacement.
- For stand laid and single part slings, ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five
broken wires in one strand in one rope lay.
- Severe localized abrasion or scraping.
- Kinking, crushing, birdcaging, or any other damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure.
- Evidence of heat damage.
- End attachments that are cracked, deformed, or worn to the extent that the strength of the sling is
substantially affected.
- Hooks should be inspected in accordance with ANSI B30.10.
- Severe corrosion of the rope or end attachments.
MULTI-PART REMOVAL CRITERIA FOR CABLE AND BRAIDED SLINGS
| Sling Body | Allowable Broken
Wire Per Lay or One Braid | Allow Broken Strands per Sling Lay |
| Less than 8 per Braid | 20 | 1 |
| Cable Laid | 20 | 1 |
| 8 Parts and more | 40 | 1 |
WEB SLING
INSPECTION AND REMOVAL FROM SERVICE PER ANSI B30.9
FREQUENT INSPECTION - This inspection shall be made by the person handling the sling each day the sling
is used.
PERIODIC INSPECTION - Written records are required.
This inspection should be conducted by designated personnel, frequency of the inspection should be based on
the following:
- Frequency of sling use.
- Severity of service conditions.
- Experience gained on the service life of sling used in similar applications.
- At least annually.
REMOVAL CRITERIA
- Acid or caustic burns.
- Melting or charring of any part of the sling.
- Broken, tears, cuts, or snags.
- Broken or worn stitching in load bearing splices.
- Excessive abrasive wear.
- Knots in any part of the sling.
- Excessive pitting or corrosion, or cracked, distorted, or broken fittings.
- Other visible damage that causes doubts as to the strength of the sling.