If you can adequately take care of your lifting slings, you will be surprised about the extended service life of the product. It can help you with a better return on your investment. When you do not use any sling protection during operation, you create every possible chance of injury or tend to drop the load.
Rope wire slings, chain slings, round slings, metal mesh slings, web slings, and synthetic ropes are used to lift, position, or move any load efficiently. But the lifting slings that you choose will depend on the environment and its application.
Proper storage and maintenance can maximize the life of your lifting slings. Here are some of the ways you can prolong life.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: No matter what kind of lifting slings an individual uses, every sling is prone to damage. When you expose the lifting slings to extreme temperatures, they reduce the performance as their strength diminishes. While some materials like the wire rope, wire mesh, or alloy chain can tolerate severe weather, they tend to become soft and brittle when you try to use them in extreme temperatures for an extended period.
- Be aware of any chemically active environments or chemical exposures.: Sometimes the process of galvanizing can add corrosion resistance to the metal surface. However, when you are trying to coat or dip the material, you need to understand the acidic or alkaline property of the liquid in which the lifting sling would be submerged. Polyester or nylon are generally susceptible to these chemical damages. Therefore make sure there are no chemically active components near the lifting sling.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light and sunlight.: The synthetic material provided on the different kinds of lifting slings
- Avoid rough surfaces and edges.: It does not matter whether the sling is made of nylon, polyester, or steel. If you do not provide proper protection or protection, then it can experience holes or punctures. In the case of metal mesh, it can distort the fittings or broken wires. While in the case of alloy chains, it can cause distortion, crushed fittings or gouges. The wire rope can experience damaged fittings and broken cables, while the synthetic slings can have snags and cuts.
- Keep your slings free from debris.: When you are not using the rigging equipment for the lifting sling, ensure that you clean it properly and organize it well. If you expose the lifting slings to continuous dirt or moisture, your lifting sling would prematurely break down.
Also, look for the smallest particles like stones or dirt inside the lifting slings while you clean them, as they can cause abrasion or fiction while causing the slim to wear out from inside.
How can you store and organize the sling?
When you are organized, you can find the right equipment at the right place. While you manage your rigging gears, it would be easier for you to find the right equipment that you need. Also, the best way to do this is to prepare a periodic inspection.
It would be best if you stored the sling away from extreme temperatures, mechanical devices, chemicals, and moisture. Ensure that you keep up the slings off the ground so that they are not crushed by any vehicles or fork trucks during operation.
Here are some other factors that you must keep in mind while you store the lifting slings.
- Make sure that you keep your lifting slings in a dark, dry, and relaxed environment.
- Avoid exposing your lifting slings to extreme cold or hot temperatures. If done, then your lifting slings wood loses its strength to work.
- Keep your lifting slings clean and avoid any moisture, dirt, or dust on their surface. These can degrade the quality of the material over time while shortening the longevity of the product.
- You need to be aware of the environmental temperatures.
- In case of any problems, make sure that you contact the manufacturer and not any other person.
Conclusion
When you know how to take care of your lifting slings, it will increase the life expectancy of the equipment. It can provide you with the best return on your investment. Therefore make sure that employees regularly inspect and maintain the slings and the rigging equipment.