Nylon and Polyester Synthetic web slings are constructed using flat belt straps made of webbing material. Web slings are designed to be the ultimate multi-purpose sling and are therefore the most widely used and most versatile sling of its type. Both nylon and polyester flat web slings can be configured with a variety of fittings as well as flat or twisted eyes on either end. In addition, flat web slings can be constructed with extra-wide load-bearing surfaces (up to 48”).

Due to their unique construction, synthetic flat web slings are inexpensive, strong, inherently spark resistant, non-conductive, and extremely easy to rig. This makes them particularly useful when you need to reduce the amount of denting and scratching to the load being lifted.

For all synthetic web slings, riggers can take relatively easy precautions to extend the working life of the slings. First, they must always use sling protectors to shield the synthetic material from sharp and/or protruding edges, as well as abrasive surfaces. Riggers should also limit the amount of UV exposure as this degrades the web sling material. Lastly, synthetic lifting slings should always be kept as clean as possible. This prevents dirt, moisture and grease from degrading the synthetic web sling material over time.

If you cannot find what you are looking for or if you don’t know exactly what you need, call or email our sales team to talk with a rigging product specialist.

Synthetic Web Sling Advantages

• Synthetic web slings do not experience crushing, bending fatigue or kinking due to their ultra-strong and flexible high-performance synthetic materials
• Suitable for virtually any industry or overhead lifting application due to their lightweight and inexpensive design
• Synthetic web slings mold to and securely grip loads with their soft flexible materials

Synthetic Web Sling Disadvantages

• Can’t be exposed to certain chemicals or excessive UV light
• Low heat-resistance — cannot be used in environments that are below -40° F or above 194° F
• Lower cutting and abrasion resistance than rigging slings made of steel
• Corner and edge protectors must be used to protect the sling from sharp and/or protruding edges, and can add to the cost of synthetic web slings
• Different synthetic sling materials have different resistance properties regarding chemically active environments:

Exposure Type	Nylon	Polyester
Acids	✖	*
Alcohols	✔	✔
Aldehydes	✔	✖
Strong Alkalis	✔	**
Bleach Agents	✖	✔
Dry Cleaning Solvents	✔	✔
Ethers	✔	✖
Halogenated Hydrocarbons	✔	✔
Hydrocarbons	✔	✔
Ketones	✔	✔
Oils (Crude)	✔	✔
Oils (Lubricating)	✔	✔
Soaps and Detergents	✔	✔
Water and Seawater	✔	✔
Weak Alkalis	✔	✔
*Disintegrated by concentrated sulfuric acid **Degraded by strong alkalis at elevated temperatures

Synthetic Web Sling Inspection

It is important to inspect synthetic web lifting slings regularly and to keep a record of all sling inspections. At Tri-State Rigging Equipment we offer a full range of rigging inspection and repair services. The standards that govern flat web sling inspection are OSHA 1910.184 and ASME B30.9. It is recommended that synthetic web slings first undergo an initial inspection when you receive the lifting sling from the manufacturer. The purpose of this initial inspection is to:

1. Check sling tag for correct capacity
2. Check the length of the sling
3. Make sure the sling is made from the correct materials in the correct configuration
4. Make sure the lifting sling meets any other lifting specs or requirements you may have

Synthetic web slings should also be inspected by a designated and qualified individual every day before use to make sure that the sling is in working condition and will lift its rated capacity. The person performing the inspection should examine the entire sling, as well as any attachments. The inspector is looking for visual indications of any defects, or general damage that might affect the integrity of the sling.

Depending on your application, you might want to perform these visual inspections more than once a day. If the flat web sling is used many times throughout the day, by multiple individuals, across multiple shifts, it is imperative that the sling be inspected before every shift change and before any change in lifting application.

ASME standards further require a thorough periodic inspection to be performed at least once a year by either a professional service provider, or by a Qualified Person. In addition, written records must be kept until the next periodic inspection. The rejection criteria for periodic synthetic web sling inspections are as follows:

• Illegible or missing sling identification tag
• Knots
• Fittings that are:
  • Pitted
  • Corroded
  • Cracked
  • Bent
  • Twisted
  • Gouged
  • Broken
• Caustic or acid burns
• Any evidence of heat damage - melting or charring
• Tears, cuts, holes, abrasive wear or snags
• Worn or broken stitching in load-bearing splices
• Stiff, brittle, or discolored areas on any part of the sling
• Any visible damage that causes doubt as to the continued safe use of the sling

If your synthetic webbing sling shows any of the rejection criteria above, you must remove the sling from service, and it must be destroyed. Properly destroying rigging equipment is imperative because you can be held accountable for damage done by people who find and use your discarded slings. Therefore, slings deemed not suitable for service must be either repaired or destroyed beyond use and beyond repair. The process for destroying a flat web sling is as follows:

1. Cut into 3-4’ segments so that a new eye cannot be formed
2. Cut any eye
3. Remove any labels or tags

The purpose of daily and periodic synthetic web sling inspections is not to get anyone in trouble but rather to gain knowledge of the frequency of use, severity of conditions, and nature of lifts, and consider how all these factors affect your flat web sling. The most important reason to perform daily and periodic web sling inspections, however, is to keep you and your coworkers safe.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is a custom manufacturer, service provider and distributor for all synthetic web slings, both nylon and polyester, serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.