§ 1910.184 Slings
(a) Scope. This section applies to slings used in conjunction with other
material handling equipment for the movement of material by hoisting, in
employments covered by this Part. The types of slings covered are those
made from allow steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic
fiber rope (conventional three strand construction), and synthetic web (nylon,
polyester, and polypropylene).
(b) Definitions. "Angle of loading" is the inclination of a
leg or branch of a sling measured from the horizontal or vertical plane,
provided that an angle of loading of five degrees or less from the vertical
may be considered a vertical angle of loading.
"Basket hitch" is a sling configuration whereby the sling is
passed under the load and has both ends, end attachments, eyes or handles
on the hook or a single master link.
"Braided wire rope" is a wire rope formed by plaiting component
wire ropes.
"Braided wire rope sling" is a sling composed of multiple wire
rope legs with the top ends gathered in a fitting that goes over the lifting
hook.
"Cable laid endless sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope
sling made endless by joining the ends of a single length of cable laid
rope with one or more metallic fittings.
"Cable laid grommet-hand tucked" is an endless wire rope sling
made from one length of rope wrapped six times around a core formed by hand
tucking the ends of the rope inside the six wraps.
"Cable laid rope" is a wire rope composed of six wire ropes
wrapped around a fiber or wire rope core.
"Cable laid rope sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope sling
made from a cable laid rope with eyes fabricated by pressing or swaging
one or more metal sleeves over the rope junction.
"Choker hitch" is a sling configuration with one end of the
sling passing under the load and through an end attachment, handle or eye
on the other end of the sling.
"Coating" is an elastomer or other suitable material applied
to a sling or to a sling component to impart desirable properties.
"Cross rod" is a wire used to join spirals of metal mesh to
form a complete fabric
"Designated" means selected or assigned by the employer or
the employer's representative as being qualified to perform specific duties.
"Equivalent entity" is a person or organization (including
an employer) which, by possession of equipment, technical knowledge and
skills, can perform with equal competence the same repairs and tests as
the person or organization with which it is equated.
"Fabric (metal mesh)" is the flexible portion of a metal mesh
sling consisting of a series of transverse coils and cross rods.
"Female handle (choker)" is a handle with a handle eye and
a slot of such dimension as to permit passage of a male handle thereby allowing
the use of metal mesh sling in a choker hitch.
"Handle" is a terminal fitting to which metal mesh fabric is
attached.
"Handle eye" is an opening in a handle of a metal mesh sling
shaped to accept a hook, shackle or other lifting device.
"Hitch" is a sling configuration whereby the sling is fastened
to an object or load, either directly to it or around it.
"Link" is a single ring of a chain.
"Male handle (triangle)" is a handle with a handle eye.
"Master coupling link" is an alloy steel welded
coupling link used as an intermediate link to join alloy steel chain
to master links. (See Fig.
N-184-3.)
"Master link" or "gathering ring" is a forged or welded
steel link used to support all members (legs) or an alloy steel chain
sling or wire rope sling. (See
Fig. N-184-3.)
"Mechanical coupling link" is a nonwelded, mechanically closed
steel link used to attach master links, hooks, etc., to alloy steel chain.
"Proof load" is the load applied in performance of a proof
test.
"Proof test" is a nondestructive tension test performed by
the sling manufacturer or an equivalent entity to verify construction and
workmanship of a sling.
"Rated capacity" or "working load limit" is the maximum
working load permitted by the provisions of this section.
"Reach" is the effective length of an alloy steel chain sling
measured from the top bearing surface of the upper terminal component to
the bottom bearing surface of the lower terminal component.
"Selvage edge" is the finished edge of synthetic webbing designed
to prevent unraveling.
"Sling" is an assembly which connects the load to the material
handling equipment.
"Sling manufacturer" is a person or organization that assembles
sling components into their final form for sale to users.
"Spiral" is a single transverse coil that is the basic element
from which metal mesh is fabricated.
"Strand laid endless sling-mechanical joint" is a wire rope
sling made endless from one length of rope with the ends joined by one or
more metallic fittings.
"Strand laid grommet-hand tucked" is an endless wire rope sling
made from one length of strand wrapped six times around a core formed by
hand tucking the ends of the strand inside the six wraps.
"Strand laid rope" is a wire rope made with strands (usually
six or eight) wrapped around a fiber core, wire strand core, or independent
wire rope core (IWRC).
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"Vertical hitch" is a method of supporting a load by a single,
vertical part or leg of the sling.
"(c) Safe operating practices. Whenever any sling is used, the following
practices shall be observed:
(1) Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.
(2) Slings shall not be shortened with knots or bolts or other makeshift
devices.
(3) Sling legs shall not be kinked.
(4) Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities.
(5) Slings used in a basket hitch shall have the loads balanced to prevent
slippage.
(6) Slings shall be securely attached to their loads.
(7) Slings shall be padded or protected from the sharp edges of their
loads.
(8) Suspended loads shall be kept clear of all obstructions.
(9) All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and
of suspended loads.
(10) Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling and its load
while the sling is being tightened around the load.
(11) Shock loading is prohibited.
(12) A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting
on the sling.
(d) Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings
and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent
person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed
during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective
slings shall be immediately removed from service.
(e) Alloy steel chain slings.
(1)Sling identification. Alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently
affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and
reach.
(2) Attachments
(i) Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear shaped links, welded or mechanical
coupling links or other attachments shall have a rated capacity at least
equal to that of the alloy steel chain with which they are used or the sling
shall not be used in excess of the rated capacity of the weakest component.
(ii) Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods, or other
such attachments, shall not be used.
(3) Inspections.
(i) In addition to the inspection required by paragraph (d) of this section,
a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall
be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of (A) frequency
of sling use; (B) severity of service conditions; (C) nature of lifts being
made; and (D) experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar
circumstances. Such inspections shall in no event be at intervals greater
than once every 12 months.
(ii) The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent
month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and
shall make such record available for examination.
(iii) The thorough inspection of alloy steel chain slings shall be performed
by a competent person designated by the employer, and shall include a thorough
inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length.
Where such defects or deterioration are present, the sling shall be immediately
removed from service.
(4) Proof testing. The employer shall ensure that before use, each new,
repaired, or reconditioned alloy steel chain sling, including all welded
components in the sling assembly, shall be proof tested by the sling manufacturer
or equivalent entity, in accordance with paragraph 5.2 of the American Society
of Testing and Materials Specification A391-65 (ANSI G61.1-1968). The employer
shall retain a certificate of the proof test and shall make it available
for examination.
(5) Sling use. Alloy steel chain slings shall not be used with loads in excess
of the rated capacities prescribed in Table
N-184-1. Slings not included in this table shall be used only in
accordance with the manufacturer's recom- mendations.
(6) Safe operating temperatures. Alloy steel chain slings shall be permanently
removed from service if they are heated above 1000°F. When exposed
to service temperatures in excess of 600°F, maximum working load
limits permitted in Table N-184-1 shall be reduced in accordance with the chain or sling manufacturer's
recommendations.
(7) Repairing and reconditioning alloy steel chain slings. (1) Worn or
damaged alloy steel chain slings or attachments shall not be used until
repaired. When welding or heat treating is performed, slings shall not be
used unless repaired, reconditioned and proof tested by the sling manufacturer
or an equivalent entity.
(ii) Mechanical coupling links or low carbon steel repair links shall
not be used to repair broken lengths of chain.
(8) Effects of wear. If the chain size at any point of any links is less than
that stated in Table N-184-2,
the sling shall be removed from service.
(9) Deformed attachments.
OSHA has issued a correction to the industrial slings standard adopted
June 27. Words of § 1910.184 (e) (9) (i) at ¶ 7719.8, reading
"Alloy steel chain slings. (i) Worn or damaged formed master links,"
have been changed to "Alloy steel chain slings with cracked or deformed
master links." The notice is at ¶ 9937.
(i) Alloy steel chain slings.
(i) Worn or damaged formed master links, coupling links or other components
shall be removed from service.
(ii) Slings shall be removed from service if hooks are cracked, have
been opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening measured at
the narrowest point or twisted more than10 degrees from the plane of the
unbent hook. |
