Can Nylon Slings Be Used on Steel Beams?

Lifting Capacity

• The load capacity of nylon slings varies, according to their width and the number of plies. For example, U.S. Cargo Control, one of many companies that makes nylon slings, markets a 1-inch-wide, single-ply nylon web with 8.5-inch eyes that will lift 1,200 pounds with a choker lift, 1,600 pounds with a direct pull and 3,200 pounds in a basket. The same company’s 12-inch-wide, four-ply web nylon with 24-inch eyes will lift 52,800 pounds with a choker lift, 66,000 pounds with a direct pull and 132,000 pounds in a basket. When you buy a nylon sling, make sure that the manufacturer includes load limits for that particular sling. Buy a sling that is appropriate for the weight of the steel beams you will be lifting. Nylon slings lose 10 percent of their strength when they are wet.

Operator Precautions

• If you are an operator, make sure you know the load capacity of the nylon sling used to lift a particular steel beam. Make sure that the edges of the beam do not cut into the nylon and that the load is balanced. Make sure the sling angle is appropriate as the weight of the load increases as the angle decreases. When you’re lifting steel beams, inspect the sling before and after each lift to make sure that it has not been cut.

Protective Pads

• You can buy special safety pads to protect nylon slings from the possibility of being cut by the edges of steel beams. Nylon slings can be cut by 11,400 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure against the edge of a steel beam. A padded sling may be protected from cutting up to 25,000 psi.

Storage

• Store your nylon slings in a darkened area. They may stiffen and become brittle if exposed to the sun or the light produced by arc welders. Avoid extreme temperatures. Nylon slings will degrade and lose their strength if they are subjected to more than 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Weld splatter, grit and metal shavings can damage a sling and reduce its strength. Clean the slings before you store them and have them tested for strength once a year.