Instructions for the safe use of: Eyebolts

The information in this leaflet should be passed to the user of the equipment

This information is of a general nature only covering the main Using Eyebolts Safely
points for the safe use of eyebolts which comply with BS 4278
or the withdrawn standard BS 529 Part 1. It may be necessary Do not attempt lifting operations unless you understand the use
to supplement this information for specific applications. and limitations to use of the equipment, the slinging procedures
and the mode factors to be applied.
Do not use defective eyebolts. Check the thread of both the
ALWAYS: eyebolt and hole, ensure they are compatible, fully formed, of
• Store and handle eyebolts correctly. sufficient length, undamaged and clear of any debris which may
prevent proper engagement.
• Inspect eyebolts before use and before placing into storage.
Ensure the contact surface around the hole is flat, clean and
• Select the correct pattern eyebolt for the application. perpendicular to the thread axis. Tighten the eyebolt down
• Ensure that the eyebolt and tapped hole threads are firmly by hand. The eye must be in the correct plane and the
compatible and strong enough for the load. collar must sit evenly on the contact surface. Use shims but do
not machine the collar or over tighten to achieve this.
• Correctly align the plane of the eye using shims where
necessary. A hook may be engaged directly into the eye of a dynamo
eyebolt or the link of an eyebolt with link. Collar eyebolts must
• Ensure that the collar is fully seated when hand tight. be fitted with a shackle or link to accept hooks. The hooks must
fit freely so do not wedge or force them into position.
NEVER:
Never reeve a sling through the eyes, links or shackles fitted to
• Use tommy bars, grips or wrenches to tighten eyebolts. eyebolts used in pairs as this will impose a severe resultant
• Use dynamo eyebolts for angular loading. load to the eyebolts.
• Use a single eyebolt to lift a load that is free to rotate. Dynamo eyebolts must only be used for axial loading. When
using eyebolts with multi-leg slings use eyebolts with links or
• Reeve slings through the eyes, links or shackles fitted to pairs collar eyebolts taking care to de-rate them correctly for angular
of eyebolts. loading conditions.
• Force hooks or other fittings into the eye; they must fit freely. Where a single eyebolt is used, use a swivel or swivel hook to
• Shock load eyebolts. prevent the eyebolt unscrewing.
In-service Inspection and Maintenance
Selecting the Correct Eyebolt Maintenance requirements are minimal. Keep eyebolts clean,
protect from corrosion and protect threads from damage. Do not
Eyebolts to BS 4278 are available in three standard types, attempt to straighten bent eyebolts or re-cut threads.
eyebolt with link, collar eyebolt and dynamo eyebolt. Select the
eyebolt to be used and plan the lift taking the following into Regularly inspect eyebolts and, in the event of the following
account: defects, refer the eyebolt to a Competent Person for thorough
examination: illegible markings; distortion; worn, or bent shanks
Type of eyebolt - eyebolt with link for all general purpose and threads; incomplete or incorrectly formed threads;
applications, collar eyebolt for most general duties, dynamo damaged eyes; nicks, gouges, cracks, corrosion or other
eyebolt only where a truly axial load is guaranteed. (A collar defects.
eyebolt fitted with a link through the eye must always be
considered as a collar eyebolt and not as an eyebolt with link.)
Capacity - (rating eyebolts for angular loading) It is necessary to
reduce the SWL by the following factors when using eyebolts
with two leg slings:

Included angle α of sling legs

Type of eyebolt 0<α≤30 30<α≤60 60<α≤90
Eyebolt with link 1.0 0.8 0.63
Collar eyebolt 0.63 0.4 0.25

Storing and Handling Eyebolts

Never return damaged eyebolts to storage. They should be dry,
clean and protected from corrosion. Care must be taken to
protect threads from damage whilst in store.
Where possible use removable plugs to exclude debris from
tapped holes.
 GENERAL PURPOSE SLINGING PRACTICE Safe use of Slings
The following information is based on Section 1 - Appendix 1.5 o Good slinging practice must ensure that the load is as safe
of the LEEA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting and secure in the air as it was on the ground and that no
Equipment.* It should be read in conjunction with the harm is done to the load, lifting equipment, other property or
instructions for the safe use, given overleaf, of which it forms an persons.
integral part and with any specific instructions issued by the o Establish the weight of the load, ensure the lifting method is
supplier. suitable and inspect the sling and attachments for obvious
This information is of a general nature only covering the main defects. Prepare the landing area making sure the floor is
points for the safe use of various types of slings for general strong enough to take the load. Follow any specific
lifting purposes. instructions from the supplier.
o Ensure the lifting point is over the centre of gravity. Any loose
parts of the load should be removed or secured. Secure the
ALWAYS: sling firmly to the load by hooks onto lifting points or shackles
etc. The sling must not be twisted, knotted or kinked in any
• Plan the lift, establish the weight of the load and prepare the way.
landing area ensuring that it will take the weight.
o Use packing to prevent damage to the sling from corners or
• Check slings and equipment are free of damage, use edges and to protect the load.
slings/slinging methods suitable for the load and protect
slings from sharp edges and corners. o Do not exceed the SWL or rated angle. Any choke angle
must not exceed 120° and any basket 90°.
• Attach the sling securely to the load and appliance and
position hooks to face outwards. o Do not hammer, force or wedge slings or accessories into
position; they must fit freely.
• Ensure the load is balanced and will not tilt or fall.
o When attaching more than one sling to the hook of the
• Keep fingers, toes etc clear when tensioning slings and when appliance use a shackle to join the slings and avoid
landing loads. overcrowding the hook.
• Ensure that the load is free to be lifted. o Use an established code of signals to instruct the crane
• Make a trial lift and trial lower. driver.
o Ensure the load is free to be lifted and not, for example,
NEVER: bolted down.
• Use damaged slings or accessories. o Check that there are no overhead obstacles such as power
• Twist, knot or tie slings. lines.
• Hammer slings into position. o Keep fingers, toes etc clear ensuring they do not become
trapped when lifting, lowering or controlling loads.
• Overload slings due to the weight of the load or the mode of
use. o Make a trial lift by raising the load a little to ensure it is
balanced, stable and secure and if not lower it and adjust the
• Trap slings when landing the load. slinging arrangement.
• Drag slings over floors etc or attempt to pull trapped slings o Where appropriate use tag lines to control the load.
from under loads.
o Except where special provision is made, do not allow anyone
• Allow personnel to ride on loads. to pass under or ride upon the load. The area should be kept
clear.
o Make a trial set down, ensure the sling will not become
Sling Configurations and Rating trapped and the load will not tip when the slings are released.
Slings are available in single, two, three and four leg or endless Use supports which are strong enough to sustain the load
form. In practice it will be found that chain, wire rope and fibre without crushing.
rope slings are available in any of these configurations but that o Never drag slings over floors etc or attempt to drag a trapped
flat woven webbing is limited to single leg and endless whilst sling from under a load.
roundslings are only supplied in endless form. The maximum
load that a sling may lift in use will be governed by the slinging o Never use a sling to drag a load.
arrangement (mode of use) and may vary from the marked o Place the hooks of free legs back onto the master link and
SWL.** In the case of textile slings the SWL for the various take care to ensure that empty hooks do not become
modes of use is usually given on the information label. In other accidentally engaged.
cases it is necessary to multiply the marked SWL by a mode
factor.*** o Never use slings in contact with chemicals or heat without the
manufacturers approval.
The following three simple rules will ensure that the sling is not
overloaded. In some cases this will mean that the sling will be o Never use damaged or contaminated slings.
under utilised although this is unlikely to hinder the user unduly. o On completion of the lift return all equipment to proper
Where the maximum utilisation is required reference should be storage.
made to a Competent Person who understands the factors
involved and who can perform the necessary calculations.
(1) For straight lift never exceed the marked SWL and in the
case of multi-leg slings the specified angle or range of
angles.
(2) When using slings in choke hitch multiply the marked SWL
by 0.8 to obtain the reduced maximum load the sling may
lift ie reduce the safe working load by 20%.
(3) With multi-leg slings, when using less than the full number
of legs, reduce the maximum load in proportion to the
number of legs in use. Simply multiply the marked SWL by
the number of legs in use expressed as a fraction of the
total thus: one leg of a two leg sling = ½ marked SWL,
three legs of a four leg sling = ¾ marked SWL and so on.

Operative Training
Slings should only be used by trained operatives who
understand the methods of rating and application of mode
factors.****