About Flat Web Slings for Lifting Tasks

Flat web slings for lifting tasks are used by hundreds of of industries all around the globe. They are typically used as a means of harnessing a heavy /awkward load and attaching it to a lifting hoist whether it be a manual chain block or a powered electric hoist to do the actual lifting.

Common types of webbing slings are simplex style which are a single layer of material or the preferred web sling for hoisting – the duplex sling which consists of a double layer of material.

Our Duplex webbing straps are made from high tensile, woven polyester. Given the fact that this material is strong, is moisture and UV resistant and light in weight they are a great piece of lifting equipment. What’s more they boast very low elongation properties.

We can customise your slings by adding safety hooks of other fittings into the end eye/loop if required. We have various widths available and lengths up to 10 metres. Thanks to having our own facilities we can also make up wear sleeves to suit your sling. Wear sleeves offer additional protection to both the load and the sling. Protecting from abrasions and cuts the working life of your sling will be longer than if used without a sleeve.

The soft loop lifting eye at each end will typically incorporate an extra layer of material for protection. This is because the lifting eye is constantly fitted to the load hook of a hoist with this smaller area taking the most wear.

Webbing Sling Colours

Webbing slings and straps just like round slings are different colours for a very good reason. You can’t just choose any colour because you like it! Each colour correlates to a different safe working load limit so the colour you get will depend on the load you are lifting and thus the sling size.

Here is the standard breakdown:

A 1 Tonne sling is Purple/violet

A 2 tonne sling is Green

A 3 tonne sling is yellow

A 4 tonne sling is Grey

A 5 tonne sling is red

A 6 tonne sling is brown

An 8 tonne sling is blue

And a 10 tonne sling is orange.

Safe Working Load Limits

It is worth bearing in mind that the stated safe working load is intended for when the sling is utilised in a straight, in-line lift; where the hoist load hook, sling and load connection point remain vertically aligned. Should you wish to use your web sling in another hitch type then the WLL will change. It could go up or down depending on the hitch.

As an example let us look at the 2 tonne webbing sling; you get the full 2 tonne in a straight lift but only 1.6 tonne in a choke hitch. When used in a basket hitch where the sides remain vertical you can double the WLL to 4 tonne. Basket lifts with an angled sling can be undertaken too; if the sling angle is less than 45 degrees then the WLL will be 2.8 tonnes. It it is over 45 but under 60 degrees it will be 2 tonne. These are the maximum permissible loads and should never be exceeded.

ALWAYS consult the appropriate Slinging chart to ensure you follow safe slinging practices for all lifting slings.

Take a look at our other associated lifting equipment for popular products to compliment your hoist.