Precautions to be taken during Operation of Chain Slings

The chain slings have an essential role to play during a lifting operation. They are an indispensable part of lifting equipment. These chains are specially manufactured for rugged and long lasting service. But it is important to take safety measures and observe precautions to extend the product's useful life.

Certain hazards are common during operation of chain slings, and they can turn lead to serious troubles. So the users must exercise care and intelligence to ensure a safe working environment. Know the ten precautions to exercise when working with chain slings and fittings:

 

• Do not exceed the working load limit or put on the loads above the desired load limit of a chain sling.

• Always ensure that both the fittings points and the attachments have equal working load limits of they are slightly greater than that of chain’s WLL. In case, there is the unbalanced amount of loads, or load of fittings and attachments are lesser than the chain slings, the assembly shall be rated at the working load limit of the weakest component.

• Never rest of drop any kind of load on the lifting chain.

• Chain slings for lifting must never be used if it has any kind of twists, kinks, and knots. Always check for the defects and eliminate the defected slings immediately.

• Ensure that the load has been seated and fixed properly, the attachment must be made within throat opening, and it should be centered in a bowl of the hook. Do not point load hooks.

• Chain slings and fittings must be properly balanced to avoid the slings undergo undue stress.

• Always make sure that your employers and other people at the operation site are using pads around sharp corners.

• Do not bounce, give shock or jerk a sling suddenly when it is in operation, especially when it is lowering or lifting loads. You can remove the slack by slow application of a load to the chain.

• Do not hammer hooks or force chain get affixed or settled in one situation, and never anneal alloy chain slings and fittings.

• Never use acid or any corroding substance on slings, always avoid extreme temperatures when using the chain slings. High temperature can destroy the sling.

Though chain slings may appear very simple to use lifting gear, these are very important and are used in every small or big lifting procedure. However, to maintain their working capacity and the safety of products and the users, it is vital to follow certain precaution. Reputed suppliers always recommend the precaution discussed in this article.