As a key load-bearing component for lifting heavy objects, the safety of lifting slings is directly related to the safety of operators and equipment. In actual operation, accidents caused by improper use or lack of maintenance occur from time to time, which needs to be taken seriously by the industry.

Overload breakage accidents are one of the most dangerous hidden dangers. Some operators ignore the rated load of the sling (such as forcibly lifting a 10-ton weight with an 8-ton sling), resulting in the fiber sling fiber stretching and breaking, the chain sling chain link deformation and cracking, and the heavy object falling instantly may cause equipment damage and casualties. This type of accident accounts for 35% of sling safety accidents, mostly due to fluke mentality or miscalculation of load.

Breakage caused by wear and corrosion is also common. Long-term friction between the sling and sharp objects will cause the outer layer of the wire rope to wear more than 40% of the diameter, or the synthetic fiber sling will be partially damaged; if it is not maintained in a humid, acidic and alkaline environment, it will cause the wire rope to rust and the chain sling coating to fall off, weakening the load-bearing capacity. During a certain hoisting operation in a chemical workshop, a rusted steel wire rope suddenly broke, causing the reactor to overturn and causing significant economic losses.

Improper connection and fixation can easily lead to slipping accidents. When the sling is connected to the hook, the anti-slip buckle is not used, or the knot is tied incorrectly (such as a single knot instead of a double knot), the sling is easily slipped due to shaking during the hoisting process. In addition, a large hoisting angle (over 60°) will double the force on the sling, and even if it is not overloaded, it may break due to excessive local stress. This type of accident accounts for about 20% of the hoisting of large equipment.

Accumulated fatigue damage is a hidden safety killer. During frequent hoisting operations, the sling is repeatedly subjected to alternating loads, which will cause fatigue cracks in the rope gap and chain link connection, which are difficult to detect with the naked eye. When the crack expands to a critical value, it may suddenly break under normal load. This type of accident often occurs on slings that have been used for more than a year but have not been inspected and replaced in time.

Understanding these common types of accidents of lifting slings highlights the importance of regular inspections (such as magnetic flaw detection, load testing), standardized operations and timely scrapping, which are the core links in preventing lifting safety accidents.