subject: Safety when using overhead lifting chains [print this page] Safety when using overhead lifting chains
Overhead lifting chain slings are useful tools for various types of overhead lifting operations and are frequently used for material handling in construction and manufacturing.
Why is safety such an important issue for overhead lifting? Lifting or applying loads in any direction is highly dangerous work. Failure of any single component or link in the chain can result in catastrophic failure and dropping of a heavy load resulting in massive damage to equipment and facilities, as well as serious injury or even death to workers or personnel.
The operation, care and maintenance of chain slings are important factors in the long-term, safe usage of these devices and insure the safety of anyone working with or near an overhead lifting device. Operation, care and maintenance of a chain sling or sling component (including hooks and connecting links of all types) is governed by the Health and Safety regulations. A chain sling or chain product must always be operated in strict accordance with health and safety regulations. Any user or operator of a chain sling device should be completely familiar with all safety regulations.
Chain slings come in a variety of lengths and combinations of hooks and components depending on the lifting application. Any chain sling used for lifting must have suitable characteristics for the type of load hitch and environment used and must be in accordance with all current legislation. The working Load Limit capacity of the chains and components are determined by the grade of chain and its components. When carrying out overhead lifting, only high-grade alloy steel chains and components can be used. This is because overhead lifting chains and components must meet a variety of strict quality standards such as minimum breaking strength, fatigue testing and heat resistance.
The most commonly used chains for overhead lifting are rated at Grade 80, however, the industry is moving to the safer and stronger Grade 100 and Grade 120 chains. A 3/8" Grade 80 chain for example has a WLL of 7,100 lbs., a 3/8" Grade 100 chain has a WLL of 8,800 lbs. and a 3/8" Grade 120 chain has a WLL of 10,600, which is 50% higher than Grade 80. For safety reasons, each chain and sling are rated with a 4:1 safety factor. As a rule of thumb, the higher the grade of chain the more lifting capacity it has and the safer the product becomes.
However, every chain or chain sling is only as strong as its weakest link, so it is very important that every component of the sling meet working load limits. All chains and components must be marked by the manufacturer with a grade from which the load rating can be determined.
