Storage, Maintenance & Discard Criteria for Lifting Slings and Round Slings

Users often ask questions like “How should lifting slings be stored?”, “How do you clean and maintain lifting slings?”, and “When do round slings meet the discard criteria?”. One thing is clear: Lifting slings and round slings serve as the critical link between the load and the lifting device or crane — and they must withstand significant stress. Damaged equipment poses a serious safety hazard. That’s why proper storage of unused lifting slings and round slings is essential. Before storing them, always check for any signs of wear or damage. Equipment that meets the discard criteria must be taken out of service and must not be stored, to prevent accidental reuse. In the article below, we’ve outlined the best practices for storing lifting slings and round slings, how often they should be inspected, and when they must be taken out of service.

Storing Lifting Slings and Round Slings

Before putting your round sling or lifting sling into storage, you should always check for any damage that may have occurred during use. Functional textile slings that do not meet the discard criteria must be stored in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated environment. The storage area should be kept away from fire or other heat sources, such as steam pipes or radiant heaters. Textile slings must never be dried near open flames or hot surfaces.

To ensure a long service life and maintain basic functionality, it’s also important to keep stored lifting slings and round slings away from chemicals, exhaust fumes, corrosive surfaces, direct sunlight, or other sources of ultraviolet radiation.

As long as the conditions mentioned above are met, a simple shelf or a dedicated sling rack is suitable for storing slings. The advantage of a sling rack is that it keeps your lifting slings and round slings organized, tangle-free, and easy to access. When you purchase one of our sling sets, you’ll also receive a practical sports bag — perfect for short-term storage and easy transport of your lifting slings.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Lifting Slings and Round Slings

Proper storage is important, but so is regular cleaning and inspection, which helps extend the lifespan and ensure the safety of your round slings and lifting slings. If necessary, round slings and lifting slings can be cleaned with clear water, without using any chemicals. If the textile sling becomes wet during use or cleaning, it should be hung up and allowed to air dry. Under no circumstances should you heat it or try to speed up the drying process.

Inspection of Round Slings by Qualified Personnel

Round slings and lifting slings must be inspected on a regular basis. According to DGUV Rule 109-017, slings like round slings must be inspected at least once a year by a qualified person. Depending on the operating conditions, more frequent inspections may be necessary—for example, if the slings are used very often, exposed to high levels of wear, corrosion, heat, or if experience has shown there’s a greater risk of damage. Even with proper and careful storage, it is essential to inspect slings—whether lifting slings or round slings—for damage or signs they should be discarded before each use. This includes a visual inspection to check for any visible damage that could compromise the continued safe use of the sling. Inspections should also cover fittings, connectors, and the labeling of the slings. If there is any doubt about the usability of the sling—for example, if required markings like the tag or label are missing—the sling must be taken out of service and examined by a qualified person. The same applies after incidents or events that may have affected the sling’s load capacity.

Examples of Defects and Damage That Can Compromise Safe, Long-Term Use:

Abrasion on the surface
Lengthwise or crosswise cuts
Cuts or abrasions on the lifting slings
Snags or loops
Chemical exposure
Damaged or deformed fittings
Cuts or abrasions on the round sling’s outer sleeve
Damaged wear or edge protection sleeves

In some cases, however, repairs may be possible. For example, if only the outer sleeve of a round sling is damaged while the core yarn remains intact, the sleeve can be repaired or replaced.

Discard Criteria and Replacement of Lifting Slings and Round Slings

Lifting slings and round slings must be replaced when they are no longer safe to use. There is no specific expiration date, but the age of textile slings, combined with the intensity of their use, plays a role. Depending on the level of stress, these slings may reach the discard criteria more quickly, especially if they are regularly loaded to their maximum load capacity or exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Criteria for Discarding Round Slings and Lifting Slings:

Round Slings must no longer be used and are considered no longer safe to use if, for example:

Damage to the web edges of the fabric and yarn breaks, if more than 10% of the band width or cross-section is affected
Damage to the load-bearing yarn structure in round slings
Deformation due to heat exposure, such as friction or radiation
Damage caused by exposure to aggressive substances
Deformation, tears, breaks, or other damage to the fittings
Missing or illegible labeling

During a visual inspection, it must be checked whether the outer cover is damaged to the extent that the inner yarn structure is exposed. If the inner yarn is damaged, the round sling is no longer safe to use. If the inner yarn remains undamaged, the cover can be repaired, and the round sling can still be used.

Lifting Slings must no longer be used and are considered no longer safe to use if, for example:

Cuts in the yarn fabric and yarn breaks affecting more than 10% of the total cross-section
Damage to the load-bearing seams
Deformation due to heat exposure, such as friction or radiation
Damage caused by exposure to aggressive substances

For lifting slings, it is important that, if made of synthetic fibers, they must be stabilized against light and heat. This is a requirement of DIN EN 1492 Part 1, which is the current standard.

In summary: Proper storage, regular inspections, and correct handling are essential to ensure the safety and longevity of round slings and lifting slings.