Dyanmic Safety Solutions | Round Slings vs Web Sligns

Slings are a vital part of any lift and when the time comes to perform an overhead lift, there are multiple options available. Every company and lift operation needs both a web and round sling but it can be a challenge to understand which is the best tool for the job.

We’ll take you through a short guide on webbing and round slings, two of the most popular types of lifting devices.

What are Webbing Slings?

A web sling is made of a flat fabric (usually polyester) that is flexible and lightweight, appropriate for a variety of lifting operations. Typically they are manufactured with flat or twisted eyes at either end and are available in a variety of lengths and widths.

Due to their affordability, versatility and ability to tightly secure loads without causing damage, they are often the ideal sling for lifting irregular shaped items or those with a wide bearing surface. When lifting very heavy items, the weight of the item puts pressure on the sling which in turn can damage the item but the flexibility of web slings significantly reduces the risk of damage to the load.

Pros and cons of webbing slings

Typically webbing slings are going to have higher working load limit than round slings and are going to stretch more than round slings which will assist in those situations where you are trying to lift items that are awkwardly shaped.

Webb slings will really prove useful when you are trying to keep your load level and with the 2 eyes at either end of the sling, you have 2 attachment points when using a piece of equipment such as a forklift or hanging items off a crane hook to complete the lift.

Cons to using a web sling include that when you do have an item that has specific attachment points such as a shackle, a web sling may not be the most suitable sling to use and as the polyester fibres are exposed across the entire length of the sling, it is going to be more prone to abrasion.

Advantages of using web slings

Inexpensive when compared to other sling types
Flexible; easily wraps around almost any shape load
Tightly secures delicate loads; protects from scratches or damage
They are lightweight and easy to handle; high strength-to-weight ratio

Disadvantages

Requires padding to be used on corners and rough surfaces
Susceptible to UV damage over long exposure; must be stored in a cool, dry, dark place
Synthetic Web Slings have poor abrasion and cut resistance

What are Round Slings?

Round slings are composed of polyester fibres that are woven in one continuous loop (as opposed to having loops at the ends like webbing slings) and then this loop is protected by a polyester jacket. Also referred to as ‘Endless Slings’, round slings are versatile, lightweight and offer superior load protection for lifting sensitive materials and parts.

They are very rigid and have little to no stretch (and thus reduced lifting capacity compared to webbing slings) but at the same time are very soft and easily to insert into small spaces to assist in lifting process.

Pros and cons of round slings

Round slings are used for and the best choice used when there is a specific lifting point such as an item that has a shackle attached to it or a designated lifting eye. Otherwise if you were to wrap a round sling round an item which did not have those specific lifting points, the round sling might crease and/or damage the item during the lift when stress is exerted.

Round slings also offer a slightly better protection to the load when lifting and lowering and if you need to ‘choke the hold’, the endless loop of the round sling are the better choice.

Although they have a much lower stretch rate than web slings they are not the strongest piece of lifting equipment available.

Advantages of using round slings

The outer cover protects internal yarn from abrasion, grease, and UV rays
Easy to inspect for physical damage
Offers protection of delicate loads
Perfect for lifting round loads such as tubes or piping (especially in choker hold)

Disadvantages

Must be stored in a cool, dark place to protect them from UV damage
Susceptible to heat damage

Dynamic Safety Solutions - sling inspection services

Dynamic Safety Solutions have a team of service engineers across the UK and Ireland (see more here) carrying out statutory inspections and tests on all types of lifting equipment . We inspect all types of lifting equipment from chain slings and electrical hoists to MEWPs and forklifts.

However, every time a sling is used, it is put under stress and pressure making any pre-existing damage to the sling a safety threat. So it is always important to inspect rigging equipment before use.