Figure 6-17. - Determination of bridle hitch sling capacity.

The rated capacity of any sling depends on the size, the configuration, and the angles formed by the legs of the sling and the horizontal. A sling with two legs used to lift a 1,000-pound object will have 500 pounds of the load on each leg when the sling angle is 90 degrees. The load stress on each leg increases as the angle decreases. For example, if the sling angle is 30 degrees when lifting the same 1,000-pound object, the load is 1,000 pounds on each leg. Try to keep all sling angles greater than 45 degrees; sling angles approaching 30 degrees are considered extremely hazardous and must be avoided.

STORAGE

Wire rope slings and associated hardware must be stored either in coils or on reels, hung in the rigging loft, or laid on racks indoors to protect them from corrosive weather and other types of damage, such as kinking or being backed over. Slings are not to be left out at the end of the workday.

CHAINS

Chains are made up of links fastened through each other. Each link is fabricated of wire bent into an oval and welded together. The weld usually causes a slight