39

USE

Use only grade 80, grade 100, or grade 120 chain for 
overhead lifting applications. 

Do not overload.

 Know working load limits and load 

weight of chain; overloading can lead to rapid wear, 
stretching and sling failure that may cause serious 
injury or property damage. 

Avoid faulty hooks. 

Do not tip load hooks, force or 

wedge hook points into loads or face hooks toward 
loads. Unbalanced hookups can slip, causing excess 
stress on lift chains and loss of or damage to load. 

Remove all twists, knots, and kinks before lifting. 
Twists or knots in chain can impose loads in excess of 
rated working load limits and spin the load dangerously.
Avoid impact loading.

 Loads that are jerked suddenly 

when picked up can impose tension on the chain far in 
excess of the actual load weight. Dynamic stress force 
can cause sling damage and failure. 

Do not let chains come in contact with sharp corners of 
a load without protective padding. 

Bending, nicks, and 

gouges may result. 

Do not drop or rest loads on chain. 

Nicking and bending 

can result in severe chain damage. 

Avoid improper angle of lift.

 Angles of lift less than 30° 

can result in excessive stress on each leg of the sling, 
resulting in chain stretching and sling failure that may 
cause serious injury or property damage. 

Do not batten down choke hitch slings.

 Reduced chain 

angles may cause excessive tension on chain, resulting 
in damage or failure. 

Do not overheat slings. 

Overheating may anneal 

the steel, seriously weakening the chain and 

causing failure. Slings that are exposed to extreme 
temperatures (above 400°f) will have permanent 
reduction of working load limits (see chart on 

page 34

). 

Never weld on chain or attachments.

 This will alter the 

heat treating and strength.

CARE

Store chain slings properly to avoid damage.

 Nicking, 

gouging, bending, and corrosion caused when slings 
are run over, having loads dropped on them, or 
exposing to corrosive action will likely require repair or 
replacement.
Store chain away from heat. 

Oil chain if storing for long periods of time. 

Remove dirt and grit as these can cause wear.

INSPECTION

Before inspecting, clean chain.

Measure reach of sling leg(s) and compare to 
tag record.

Check chain links and attachments for any: 

 

•

Deformation or elongation

 

•

Nicks, gouges, excessive wear, breaks, cracks, 
weld spatter

 

•

Discoloration from excessive temperature

 

•

Throat openings of hooks

 

•

Reduced wire diameter of link

Look for evidence of severe corrosion. 

Any sling that has defective attachments or chain must 
be marked and immediately taken out of service until 
repaired or discarded.

ALWAYS OBSERVE FOLLOWING PRACTICES:

SLING USE, INSPECTION, & CARE