Chain and Sling Inspections

Inspections

If any of the identification items are missing or any of the listed damage criteria are met the sling must be destroyed

  1. Identification
    1. The tag identifies size, reach, working load limit (WLL),
    2. serial number, manufacturer's name or symbol, and
    3. sling type (number of legs).
  2. Damage
    1. Clean chain and hang vertically for inspection
      a black and white chain sling
    2. Measure reach accurately (bearing point of master ring to bearing point of hook). Check this length against the reach shown on tag. If present length is greater than that shown on tag, there is a possibility that the sling has been subjected to overloading or excessive wear.
    3. Make a link-by-link inspection of the chain slings for:
      • Excessive wear - If the wear on any portion of any link exceeds the allowable wear of a link (Check with the chain manufacturer for wear specifications), immediately remove from service.
      • Twisted, bent, gouged, nicked, worn, or elongated links.
      • Cracks in the weld area of any portion of the link. Transverse markings are the most dangerous.
      • Severe corrosion.
Types of chain sling damages Image of damage
Cracks
cracks visible on the chain sling
Elongation
elongation visible on chain sling
Deformation
deformaiton viisble on chain sling
  1. Check hooks links for :
    1. Deformation. Any bending or twisting exceeding 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook, unless otherwise directed by the hook manufacturer.
    2. Throat opening. Any distortion causing an increase in throat opening exceeding 15 percent or as otherwise directed by the hook manufacturer.
    3. Wear. Any wear exceeding 10 percent of the original section dimension of the hook or its load pin or as otherwise directed by the hook manufacturer.
    4. Cracks . Any visible crack.
  2. Check master links for :
    • Deformation. Stretching. Measure masterlink opening on long and narrow sides and and compare to manufacturer
    • Cracks. Any visible crack.
    • Wear. Any wear exceeding 10 percent of the original section dimension of the hook or its load pin or as otherwise directed by the hook manufacturer.