The rated capacity of a sling

and what it means to you

T
D/d RATIOS he rated capacity of a sling factors that affect the overall
When a sling is rigged varies depending upon the type strength of the sling, including:
as a basket, the of sling, the size of the sling,
> Splicing efficiency.
diameter of the and the type of hitch. The American
bend where the sling Society of Mechanical Engineers > Design factor (5 is standard).
contacts the load
> Number of parts of rope in the sling.
can affect the sling’s
lifting capacity. > Type of hitch (straight pull, choker
hitch or basket hitch).

> Diameter around which the body of

the sling is bent (D/d ratio).
(ASME) requires that all wire rope
> Number of legs.
slings be tagged with the name or
trademark of the manufacturer, the > Diameter of the pin (or hook) over
rated capacity for specific configura- which the eye of the sling is rigged.
tions and the diameter or size of the
sling. Under no circumstances shall > Angle at which the sling is used.
a sling’s rated capacity be exceeded. > Hook or other end attachment rated
The user should maintain this identi- capacity.
How much the lifting fication so that it is legible during the
capacity is affected life of the sling. All persons using DESIGN FACTOR
can be calculated by the sling should read the tag and The rated capacities for wire rope
dividing the diameter understand the information on it. slings are based on a design factor
of the bend where the of 5 per ASME B30.9. The design factor
The rated capacity of a wire rope
rope contacts the load and other factors are used to calculate
sling is based upon the Minimum
(represented by “D”) the rated capacities.
Breaking Force (MBF) of the wire
by the diameter of
rope used in the sling and other Design factors have been established
the rope or the
component rope that allow the sling to give efficient
diameter in a multi- service to the user.
part sling (represented
by “d”). For example, APPLY STANDARD D/d RATIOS TO DETERMINE EFFICIENCY
if the diameter of the OF VARIOUS SLING CONSTRUCTIONS
bend (“D”) is 10 and Mechanically-spliced, single-part slings 25 times rope diameter
the component rope
Hand-spliced, single-part slings 15 times rope diameter
diameter (“d”) is 1/2,
Braided multi-part slings of 6 parts 25 times component rope diameter
the D/d Ratio is
10 ÷ 1/2 or 20. Braided multi-part slings of 8 parts 25 times component rope diameter
Helically laid multi-part slings 25 times component rope diameter
Hand-tucked grommets and mechanically
5 times sling body diameter
joined grommets

When D/d ratios smaller than those shown above (or those shown in the footnotes below
Rated Capacity Tables) are used, the rated capacity of the sling must be decreased.

2 Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand

How wire rope slings are used

HITCHES
How wire rope slings are configured or the sling damaged by the load, and
to lift a load is called a hitch. Most lifts when the lift requires the sling to hug
use one of three basic hitches. the load. Never choke a load so that any
part of one eye or splice is in the part of
VERTICAL EYE AND EYE HITCH
the sling that passes through the other
If one eye of the sling is attached to
eye to form the choke.
the lifting hook and the other eye is
attached to the load, this is called a Two notes of caution: Always pull
vertical eye and eye, or straight, hitch. a choker hitch tight before the lift is
A tagline should be used to prevent made. It should never be pulled down
load rotation that may damage the sling. during the lift. Also, never use only
one choker hitch to lift a load that VERTICAL HITCH
When two or more slings are attached
could shift or slide out of the choke.
to the same lifting hook, the total hitch
becomes, in effect, a lifting bridle and
BASKET HITCH
the load is distributed equally among
A basket hitch is formed when both
the individual slings.
eyes of the sling are placed on the lifting
Slings used at an angle have a lower hook, thereby forming a circular basket
rated capacity than one used vertically. of the sling. This type of hitch distributes
the load equally between the two legs
CHOKER HITCH of the sling, within limitations.
In the choker hitch, one eye of the sling
is attached to the lifting hook, while the LIFTING BRIDLES
sling itself is drawn through the other When you attach two or more slings to
eye. The load is placed inside the “choke” the same lifting hook, or are connected CHOKER HITCH
that is created while the sling is drawn to a link rigged onto the hook, the total
tight over the load through the eye. hitch becomes a lifting bridle, distrib-
uting the load among the individual
Choker hitches reduce the lifting slings. When using two or more slings
capability of a sling since the wire rope as a lifting bridle, remember that the
component’s ability to adjust during the sling angle affects the slings’ rated
lift is affected. You should only use a capacities. Also, the location of the
choker hitch when the load will not be lift’s center of gravity will affect the
seriously damaged by the sling body, load on each sling leg.

REDUCTION IN EFFICIENCY OF WIRE ROPE

WHEN BENT OVER PINS OF VARIOUS SIZES
BASKET HITCH

Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand 3

Sound lifting practices

T here are four primary factors to take into

consideration when lifting a load.
location of the center of gravity is also necessary
to determine sling loadings.

They are: (1) the physical parameters of the load; If the load has small diameter corners, protective
(2) the number of legs and the angle they make blocking or “softeners” must be used so that sling
with the horizontal; (3) the rated capacity of the capacity isn’t reduced. Also, if lifting a painted
sling; and (4) the condition of the sling. object or an object with a finished surface, padding
or softeners may be needed between the sling and
PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF THE LOAD the load to protect the load.
The size of the object to be lifted, and particularly
the location of lifting points, will affect sling NUMBER OF LEGS AND ANGLE WITH THE HORIZONTAL
selection. The weight of the lift, while a critical As the angle formed by the sling leg and the hori-
component, is only a part of the information. The zontal decreases, the rated capacity of the sling

Calculating the load of basket hitches and bridles

W hen you’re calculating the load

of basket hitches and bridles,
remember that as the horizontal angle
If the load is hanging free, the normal
choke angle is approximately 135
degrees. When lifting and turning a
LOAD FACTOR
GUIDELINES
of a sling decreases, the resultant load load using a choker Leg Load
on each leg increases. hitch, it is not angle factor
uncommon to 90° 1.000
The horizontal angle of bridles with
have a severe 85° 1.003
three or more legs is measured the 80° 1.015
bend at the
same way as hori- 75° 1.035
choke. When
zontal sling angles of 70° 1.064
a choker hitch
two-legged hitches. If 65° 1.103
is used at an 60° 1.154
a bridle is designed
angle of less 55° 1.220
with different leg
than 120 50° 1.305
lengths, it may 45° 1.414
degrees, you
result in different 40° 1.555
must reduce the
horizontal 35° 1.743
hitch’s rated capacity as shown in the
angles. 30° 2.000
chart at right. You always must adjust
The load
the rated capacity of the wire rope sling
on each leg must be
whenever you use a choker hitch to shift, CAPACITY DECREASES
calculated based on the position of WITH ANGLE
turn or control a load, or when the pull
the slings and the location of the lift’s Angle Rated
is against the choke in a multi-leg lift.
center of gravity. of choke Capacity
As always, if more than one sling is in degrees Percent*
ADJUSTING THE RATED CAPACITY used and the legs are not vertical, a Over 120 100%
OF A CHOKER HITCH further reduction in rated capacity 90-120 87%
Due to the body of the sling being used must be made for the sling angle. 60- 89 74%
30-59 62%
in the choke, there is a reduction in
Warning: Choker hitches at angles 0-29 49%
rated capacity. This is reflected in the
greater than 135 degrees are not *Percent of sling’s
choker rated capacity tables. Another rated capacity in
recommended since they are unstable.
reduction that must be considered is a choker hitch.
Extreme care should be taken to deter-
due to the “angle” of the choke (not
mine the angle of choke as accurately
the angle of the leg of the sling).
as possible.

4 Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand

 THREE-STEP FORMULA FOR CALCULATING
LOAD PER SLING LEG
also decreases. In other words, the smaller the These calculations assume that the center of gravity
angle between the sling leg and the horizontal, is equal distance from all of the lifting points, and
the greater the load on the sling leg. The minimum the sling angles are the same. If not, more compli-
angle allowed is 30 degrees. cated engineering calculations are needed.

1. Divide the weight of your total load by the number

RATED CAPACITY
of legs you are using. This gives you the load per
The rated capacity of a sling must never be exceeded.
leg if the lift were being made with all legs lifting
The rated capacity is based both on sling fabrication
vertically.
components (minimum breaking force of rope used,
splicing efficiency, number of parts of rope in sling 2. Measure the angle between the legs of the sling
and number of sling legs) and sling application and the horizontal plane.
components (angle of legs, type of hitch, D/d
ratios, etc.) 3. Multiply the load per leg that you calculated in
step 1 by the load factor for the leg angle you are
If you are using one wire rope sling in a vertical using. Use the Load factor guidelines table on the
hitch, you can utilize the full rated lifting capacity next page to determine the load factor.
of the sling, but you must not exceed that lifting
capacity. The result is the actual load on each leg of the sling
for this lift and angle. The actual load must never
If you are using two wire rope slings in a vertical exceed the sling’s vertical rated capacity.
hitch (called a 2-legged bridle hitch) in a straight
lift, the load on each leg increases as the angle Warning: Slings shall not be used with horizontal
between the leg and the horizontal plane decreases. angles less than 30°.

Whenever you lift a load with the legs of a sling at CONDITION OF SLING
an angle, you can calculate the actual load per leg Each sling must be inspected daily. If the sling does
by using the following three-step formula. not pass inspection (See Page 9), do not use.

EXAMPLES OF HOW TO CALCULATE SLING LEG LOADS

1. Total load is 1,000 lbs. divided by

two legs – 500 lbs. load per leg
if vertical lift.
2. Horizontal sling angle is
60 degrees.
3. Multiply 500 lbs. by 1.154 load
factor (from table) = 577 lbs.
actual load per leg.

1. Total load is 1,000 lbs. divided

by two legs – 500 lbs. load per
leg if vertical lift.
2. Horizontal sling angle is 45 degrees.
3. Multiply 500 lbs. by 1.414 load factor
(from table) = 707 lbs. actual load per leg.
2. Horizontal sling angle is 30 degrees.
1. Total load is 1,000 lbs. divided by two legs – 500 lbs. 3. Multiply 500 lbs. by 2 load factor (from table) = 1000 lbs.
load per leg if vertical lift. actual load per leg.

Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand 5

 Rigger’s 10-step checklist

1. WEIGH AND MEASURE 6. BALANCE THE LOAD

Before you lift, be sure you know Always place the eye or link in the
exactly how much weight you’re base (bowl) of the hook to prevent
moving, how far you have to move it point loading on the hook. In a basket
and how high you must lift it. Make hitch, always balance the load to
INSPECT YOUR sure the load’s weight is within the prevent slippage.
EQUIPMENT,
WIRE ROPE, rated capacity of the sling, including
WIRE ROPE SLINGS consideration of sling leg angles and The sling’s legs should contain or
AND ASSEMBLIES load’s physical parameters. support the load from the sides above
REGULARLY the center of gravity when using a
> Inspection should 2. USE THE RIGHT HITCH basket hitch. Be certain that the
be performed by a Decide how to connect your load to slings are long enough so that the
person with special the lifting hook and how to attach rated capacity is adequate when you
training or practical the sling to the load. consider the angle of the legs.
experience.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SLING 7. TEST THE RIGGING
Each load is different. Be sure to Before you make the lift, tug lightly
calculate the proper rated capacity on the rigging to be certain that

?
NEED MORE
for the angles and hitch involved as
well as the right type and style for
the job.
blocking, sling and load protection
are in place, then lift slightly off the
ground and re-check the lift.
INFORMATION? If D/d ratios are smaller than those 8. STAND CLEAR AND LIFT
> When it comes indicated, the sling’s rated capacity To prevent injury, move away from
to using wire rope must be reduced. Choose a sling with the areas between the sling and load
slings and assem- the proper end attachments or eye and between the sling and the crane
blies, knowledge is protection as well as attaching hook or hoist hook. Let the lifting
your most important hardware. Pad all corners in contact device and rigging work for you.
tool. We know this with the sling to minimize damage
guide can’t answer to the sling. Avoid the temptation to use your
every question you muscles to prevent swinging or
have about wire 4. INSPECT THE SLING movement. Use a tagline or tether.
rope slings and Check the sling closely to be sure Be sure to keep clear of the
assemblies. it is in good condition and able to suspended load.
make the lift. Follow all the appro-
If you have more priate OSHA guidelines and ASME 9. AVOID SHOCK LOADING
informational needs, regulations. You cannot change Lift slowly with a steady application
contact your Union the length of a sling. If a different or power. Don’t make sudden starts
distributor or district length is needed, get a sling of the or stops, either in lifting or swinging
sales manager. required length. the load.

5. RIG UP, NOT DOWN 10. RETURN TO STORAGE

Always attach the sling to the load After you’re done with your lift,
first, then attach it to the hook. inspect the sling for possible damage.
If damaged and not usable, destroy
the sling immediately. Otherwise,
return it to your sling storage rack
until your next lift.

6 Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand

Inspection and removal criteria for wire rope slings

Before using slings, inspect them to be sure they meet the requirements for that application.

HOW OFTEN TO INSPECT WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WIRE ROPE SLING

Both AMSE Standard B30.9 and OSHA require that According to ASME B30.9, you must remove a wire
wire ropes receive two types of inspections: rope sling from service immediately if any of the
following conditions are present:
1. A DAILY VISUAL INSPECTION The person
handling the sling must do this each day and 1. RATED CAPACITY TAG Missing or illegible sling
should check for major damage or deterioration identification tag.
that would weaken the sling and for obvious
2. BROKEN WIRES For single part body slings
signs such as broken wires, kinks, crushing,
and strand laid grommets: 5 broken wires in one
broken attachments and severe corrosion.
strand in one rope lay or 10 broken wires in all
2. ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS AT REGULAR strands in one rope lay. For cable-laid, cable-laid
INTERVALS These are based on frequency of grommets and multi-part slings, use the following
sling use, severity of service conditions, the nature guidelines.
of the lifts and prior experience based on service
ALLOWABLE BROKEN WIRES
life of slings used in similar circumstances. A
designated person who has a working knowledge Cable-laid grommet 20 per lay
of wire rope must conduct these inspections. Less than 8 -par t braid 20 per braid
8-par t braid or more 40 per braid
Inspection shall be made at least annually and shall
include a record of the inspection or of apparent
conditions to provide the basis for a continuing 3. METAL LOSS Wear or scraping of one-third the
evaluation. Inspection shall be conducted on the original diameter of the outside individual wires.
entire length of the sling, including splices, end 4. DISTORTION Such as kinking, crushing or bird-
attachments and fittings. caging. Look closely for wires or strands that may
have been pushed out of their original positions in
HOW TO INSPECT the rope.
The following procedures are offered as a guide
for conducting inspections: 5. HEAT DAMAGE Any metallic discoloration or
loss of internal lubricant caused by heat exposure.
1. Place the sling in a position that enables the
inspector to access and see every part of the sling. 6. DAMAGED END ATTACHMENTS Cracked, bent
or broken fittings. Also, any evidence that eye
2. Clean off all dirt and grease with a wire brush or splices have slipped, or tucked strands have moved.
rags to reveal wires and fittings.
7. BENT HOOKS No more than 15 percent over
3. Examine the entire length of the sling thoroughly, the normal throat openings (measured at the
especially the parts showing the most wear. narrowest point) or twisting exceeding 10
4. Pay special attention to fittings and end attach- degrees is permitted.
ments and areas of the sling next to these fittings. 8. METAL CORROSION Severe corrosion of the
5. Find the most worn or damaged section of the rope or end attachments that has caused pitting
sling and carefully check it against removal criteria. or binding of wires. Light rusting doesn’t normally
affect a sling’s strength.
6. Label or identify all slings you’ve inspected.
7. Keep records of all inspections, including dates HOW TO DISPOSE OF A REJECTED WIRE ROPE SLING
and conditions of slings. Once the inspector has determined a sling is no
longer usable, he should tag it immediately, “Do Not
8. Immediately destroy all slings you’ve rejected.
Use.” The sling should then be destroyed as soon
9. Store slings you want to reuse in a safe place as possible by cutting the eye and fittings from the
away from damaging weather, heat and dirt. rope. This will prevent accidental reuse of the sling.

Union A WireCo WorldGroup Brand 7