There are four different types of lifting slings available on the market, that can be purchased by lifting equipment and crane operators to ensure processes are safe and well executed. Each has a different purpose and will work in conjunction with a crane to ensure all lifts are performed easily, simply and with minimal human effort. That’s not to say that people operating cranes and lifting slings can be negligent – rather, they will have as little to do manually as possible, making lifts lower risk and more successful across the board. Lifting slings are heavily involved in health and safety and best lifting practices; they standardise lifting processes, meaning they are safer, more predictable and far less likely to cause harm or endanger anybody.
What are the different types of lifting sling, how are they used and what do you need to know about their operation?
There are four different types of lifting sling that you will be able to buy and use in conjunction with your cranes and lifting equipment. The type of sling you choose will depend entirely on compatibility and the loads you are going to lift, so it’s essential that the right sling is used. Each one is distinctive and there is plenty of information available about them so it should be a simple process to find the right lifting sling for your purposes.
These are the four main types of lifting sling available to buy:
- Polyester round slings. These can lift enormous loads of several tonnes in weight, but they are still flexible. They are known as round lifting slings because of the way the encircle a load; they are flexible and can be moved into place as appropriate. This makes them preferable to chain and rope slings for certain applications and industries, including logging, construction and certain types of handling.
- Wire rope slings. Available with different capacities and for different kinds of lifting processes, a wire rope sling could be perfect for your purposes if you need to hold a load in place whilst lifting.
- Polyester webbing slings. You can buy polyester webbing slings that are up to 50 metres long, giving you enormous scope for your lifts. Choose the size and variety that best suits your purposes when performing lifts.
- Chain slings. The first decision you need to make here is whether you need a 1, 2, 3 or 4-leg lifting sling. Then, you need to know if you require an 8, 10 or 12 grade sling. You can get chain lifting slings in any length you need, and they will be able to lift up to 35 tonnes. Make sure your chain slings conform to BS EN 818-4. There are also a range of hooks you can select.
As you can see, lifting slings come in many different varieties. Choose the kind that best suits your needs and lifting purposes, and help transform your lifts in future. You have the ability to make your lifting processes far easier to perform, and much safer for the people who are carrying them out.