When should a sling be taken out of service and tagged for removal?

• A. Only for cosmetic damage.
• B. When damaged, wear limits are exceeded, there are cuts/snags, chemical or heat damage, or any condition compromising its strength; tag and retire or repair as appropriate.
• C. After every lift, regardless.
• D. Only if it fails a load test.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to remove and tag a sling as out of service whenever its ability to safely carry a load could be compromised. This includes any damage or wear that could reduce its strength: wear limits being exceeded, cuts or snags, chemical or heat damage, or any other condition that weakens the sling. The tag serves as a clear warning that the sling must not be used again until it has been repaired or retired as appropriate. Regular, trained inspections help catch these issues before a lift occurs, and if there is any doubt about the sling’s integrity, it should be taken out of service. Cosmetic damage alone isn’t a sufficient reason to remove it, and removing a sling after every lift or only after a failed load test would miss other conditions that could compromise safety.