Warehouses and manufacturing plants involve heavy-weight lifting, which needs lifting slings.
However, lifting slings can lead to accidents and equipment damage if not used properly. Such accidents even affect efficiency and increase downtime.
That’s why it becomes essential to follow some safety measures while using the webbing slings.
However, many warehouses and manufacturing plants are unaware of the correct and safe ways of using lifting slings. This unawareness has led to numerous workplace accidents in Australia.
Today, this blog will tell you how to safely use lifting slings in warehouses and manufacturing plants.
Important Safety Measures for Using Industrial Lifting Slings
Here are some essential tips that you should follow while using webbing lifting slings in Australia.
Inspect Your Heavy Lifting Slings Before Every Use
Slings wear out with time, which compromises their lifting ability. And different types of webbing lifting slings have different signs of wear out. For instance, synthetic lifting slings get frayed and burnt out, while wire rope slings will get eroded and broken down due to abrasion.
Meanwhile, chain slings crack down easily due to abrasion. Not checking for such signs before use can pose a risk to workers and damage equipment. That’s why it will be a wise move to inspect your lifting sling before using it to prevent hazardous situations.
Choose the Right Lifting Slings as Per Your Needs
Different webbing slings are meant for different purposes. Some might be meant for light-weight lifting, while some might be perfect solutions for heavy lifting. That’s why you should choose the right sling according to your loading requirements. But how can you choose the right sling? Consider these simple factors while choosing the sling, and you will get hold of the right one.
- Working Load Limit: Every sling has its own working load capacity (WLL) mentioned on it. You should always load the sling according to its capacity to prevent situations of overloading and underloading.
- Load Edges and Shapes: Just like different types of slings are meant for different loads, every load type is also for different types of slings. Loading the sling with the wrong type of load will damage its structural integrity. Moreover, it can also damage your load. That’s why you should consider the shapes and edges of your load when choosing the sling. For instance, synthetic or polyester lifting slings have protective padding to prevent cuts and damage by sharp objects. Due to this, synthetic slings become perfect for sharp-edged objects.
- Surrounding Environment: The environment during lifting also affects the performance of the sling. Exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity can weaken slings, causing cracks and corrosion over time. So, you should examine the surrounding environment before choosing the sling. For instance, synthetic slings will easily corrode in high-humidity environments. In such scenarios, wire ropes prove to be perfect solutions.
Considering these factors will help you choose the right and safest sling.
Use the Right Lifting Techniques
Having the right sling alone does not guarantee safe lifting. You should follow correct lifting techniques to ensure safe lifting. Here’s a breakdown of some essential techniques that you should follow for safe load-lifting.
- Always make sure that your sling is properly centred under the desired load to prevent tilting.
- Prevent your sling from tangling and twisting during loading to prevent safety hazards.
- Choose the correct hitch type from vertical, choker, and basket according to your needs.
Store Your Sling Properly
Proper sling storage is often overlooked but crucial for longevity. But do you know that proper storage of webbing slings extends their lifespan and helps deliver exceptional performance?
- Store your manufacturing plant lifting slings in a clean and dry environment, free from moisture and extreme temperatures.
- Always have the habit of hanging your slings to prevent tangling.
- In the case of synthetic warehouse lifting slings, avoid sunlight exposure as it can damage their structural integrity.
Final Say
Webbing slings are an essential means of lifting heavy loads in warehouses and manufacturing plants. However, they can create workplace accidents and other safety hazards if not used properly. Regular inspections, correct load selection, proper lifting techniques, and appropriate storage all contribute to the safe use of slings in warehouses and manufacturing plants.
If you are looking for highly durable slings in Australia, Thornado has become your trusted supplier. We partner with the world’s best manufacturers to have quality webbing slings.
Besides, our slings undergo rigorous testing to ensure quality performance and safety. Additionally, all our slings are Australian-compliant, which guarantees exceptional performance even in the toughest scenarios.
Explore our wide range of high-quality, Australian-compliant webbing slings today! Shop now for superior safety and durability.