MEDICAL

Battle Workplace Injuries – 3 Steps to Using Slings the Safe Way

The success of lifting materials or objects through the use of a sling can be severely compromised without taking the necessary safety precautions and measures. The annual number of injuries that occur due to the sheer ignorance of not taking safety precautions when transferring objects can be greatly reduced – if not completely negated. From ensuring equipment is in acceptable condition for use to properly fitting and securing a web sling, moving heavy materials presents numerous opportunities for the unexpected. With some due diligence and a team of informed employees, you can begin to battle work-related injuries associated with moving heavy materials or objects. Here are 3 steps to use as basic guidelines at your establishment.

1.    Choose the correct sling.
There are several different types of slings, however, the basic groups can be identified as fiber rope web, chain and wire rope and mesh. With numerous sling options, you can begin narrowing your decision by defining the following 2 variables:

•    Load Characteristics
•    Environmental Conditions

Fiber rope slings are lightweight, non-abrasive and can conform to virtually any shape. Other benefits include resistance to minor temperature fluctuations, low operating costs and longer life expectancy when compare to other slings. In contrast, fiber rope slings have limited weight-baring capabilities and cannot withstand loads with sharp surfaces. This category also includes synthetic web slings that are made of nylon or polyester, and have a longer life expectancy when compared to traditional fiber rope slings.

Chain slings offer supreme strength to carry substantially heavier loads. Also, chain slings offer sustainability when exposed to extreme temperatures that exceed 900°F. Contrarily, these slings cannot withstand sudden movement within the carrying load.

Wire rope slings are composed of tiny steel wires that are twisted and wrapped around an inner core wire made of the same material. They offer the strength and heat resistance qualities of chain slings, however, provide greater flexibility than their linked brothers. Wire and mesh slings cannot withstand shock or sudden shifts in movement, and can be easily identified as unusable when they begin to fray.

2.    Properly install the sling.
Begin to deliberate the characteristics of the load, such as the weight, volume, and size. Determining the object’s center of gravity can ensure the sling is properly secured since the crane hook should hover directly above this point. Never exceed the manufacturer’s guidelines of a sling’s rated capacities, as well as always check to ensure the sling is in acceptable condition – the smallest nick or abrasion can jeopardize a sling’s lifting potential.  Lastly, the angle between the sling legs and the horizontal plays a large role in a sling’s effectiveness – the smaller the angle, the stronger the apparatus, however, a larger angle will weaken its abilities and may require more sling legs to compensate. For more detailed instructions, consult a professional from your reputable sling manufacturer.

3.    Stress sling maintenance.
As mentioned intermittently throughout this article, constantly checking and inspecting a sling is vital to its effectiveness. Many workplace accidents can be avoided through just ensuring that the equipment is up to an acceptable standard, and does not display any damage from prior use. Slings are made to be durable and can be used many times; however, they ultimately begin to break down, and catching imperfections prior to suspending a load can be the difference between life and death. A professional sling manufacturer can guide you through the vital signs and common deficiencies to look for when inspecting a particular sling.

This article provides fundamental guidelines to improve workplace safety when moving a load through the use of a sling. Since sling safety precautions are often neglected, moving loads contribute to thousands of work-related injuries every year. From understanding the fundamentals of determining a proper sling for a specific load to simply inspecting a sling prior to each use, sling manufacturers provide numerous safety measures that yield a safe work environment. If you want to further battle workplace injuries, contact your reputable sling manufacturer for more information.

About the Author

<a href=”http://www.lift-all.com”>Lift-All</a> has grown to become the largest and most well known sling manufacturer in North America. We manufacture the most complete line of <a href=”http://www.lift-all.com/products-slings.php”>web slings</a> available, and will custom build whatever is needed for your specific application. Numerous below-the-hook lifting devices are available, and we manufacture a full line of <a href=”http://www.lift-all.com/products-load-hugger.php”>tie downs</a>.

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