The first rule in the world of material handling is to stay safe. The first step to staying safe is to have all slings inspected by a trained employee before using them. If the slings are used on a daily basis, the inspection must be done every day. The purpose of the lookover is to notice damages to the sling that could potentially create hazardous conditions. When inspecting wires, you should look for:
- Broken or breaking wires
- Excessive abrasions or scraping
- Heat damage
- Distortion in rope (crushing and birdcaging)
- Kinking- this problem comes about when loops are drawn tightly because of being mishandled. Kinks cannot be fixed, and so section must be cut out and replaced.
- Corrosion (especially when working in environments with chemicals)
- Cuts to edges
Even though a nylon sling is made strong, it will eventually wear out as a result of frequent use. Inspecting your slings for the above issues will help your business and employees thrive. Taking the time out of the workday to check gear prior to use will help to ensure that your employees and property stay safe. At Bilco, we greatly value safety in the material handling world.
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