The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a body in the United States that plays a critical role in enhancing workplace safety around the country. If you operate a manufacturing company, you must be OSHA compliant so that you can avoid being on the wrong side of the law and so that your employees will be protected from harm. One of the main safety issues that you need to prevent in your manufacturing entity is injuries associated with falls.
Several fall protection measures, which have been in place since 1971, govern workplace safety practices. To prevent falls and associated injuries, you must use the right types of lifting slings in your lifting operations. Given that there are several types of lifting slings, some people find it hard to select the best chain sling. This article highlights some of the factors that you need to consider when it comes time to buy chain slings for your company.
1. Weight and Strength of the Load
Every time you evaluate different types of lifting slings for your operations, consider the weight and strength of the load. It’s common to see a load falling and breaking, especially it isn’t well-supported from the sides. Use strong rigging when dealing with a heavy load and provide support from all directions. Providing support from the sides will prevent falling, thereby preventing injuries to the workers on site.
2. Sling Flexibility
It’s common knowledge that alloy lifting chain slings are flexible enough and can easily be stretched by a heavy load. There are other types of lifting round slings that can be stretched as well. Although this is not a very attractive property of lifting slings, it’s useful in adjusting the load’s center of gravity. This flexibility prevents the load from leaning on one side, which is extremely dangerous in the workplace.
