California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 13 - Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment
Article 101 - Slings
Section 5044 - Alloy Steel Chain Slings

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 5044

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Sling Identification.

Alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed and legible markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicate the recommended safe working load for the type(s) of hitch(es) used, the angle upon which it is based, and the number of legs if more than one.

(b) Attachments.

(1) Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear-shaped links, welded or mechanical coupling links or other attachments shall have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the alloy steel chain with which they are used or the sling shall not be used in excess of the rated capacity of the weakest component.

(2) Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods, or other such attachments, shall not be used.

(c) Inspections.

(1) In addition to the inspection required by Section 5043 of this Article, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of:
(A) Frequency of sling use;

(B) Severity of service conditions;

(C) Nature of lifts being made; and

(D) Experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances. Such inspections shall in no event be at intervals greater than once every 12 months.

(2) Each employer shall make and maintain, for the service life of the sling, a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination by the Division upon request.

(3) The thorough inspection of alloy steel chain slings shall be performed by a qualified person designated by the employer, and shall include a thorough inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in link length. Where such defects or deterioration reduce the rated capacity the sling shall be immediately removed from service.

(d) Proof Testing. The employer shall ensure that before use, each new, repaired, or reconditioned alloy steel chain sling, including all welded components in the sling assembly, shall be proof tested in accordance with the sling manufacturer's recommendations. The employer shall retain a certificate of the proof test, for the service life of the sling, and shall make it available for examination by the Division upon request. Minimum proof loads for alloy steel chain shall be equal to twice the working load limit values shown for single slings.

(e) Sling Use.

Alloy steel chain slings shall not be used with loads in excess of the rated capacities prescribed in Table S-1. Slings not included in these Orders shall be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(f) Safe Operating Temperatures. Alloy steel chain slings shall be permanently removed from service if they are heated above 1000° F. When exposed to service temperatures in excess of 600° F, maximum working load limits permitted in Table S-1 shall be reduced in accordance with the chain or sling manufacturer's recommendations.

(g) Repairing and Reconditioning Alloy Steel Chain Slings.

(1) Worn or damaged alloy steel chain slings or attachments shall not be used until repaired. When alloy steel chain slings are repaired or reconditioned and welding or heat treating is involved, such slings shall be proof tested by the manufacturer or equivalent entity.

(2) Mechanical coupling links or low carbon steel repair links shall not be used to repair broken lengths of chain.

(h) Effects of Wear. If the chain size at any point of any links is less than that stated in Table S-1a, the sling shall be removed from service.

(i) Deformed Attachments.

(1) Alloy steel chain slings with cracked or deformed master links, coupling links or other components shall be removed from service.

(2) Slings shall be removed from service if hooks are cracked, have been opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook.

1. Amendment of subsection (c)(2), (d) and (e) filed 5-1-87; operative 5-31-87 (Register 87, No. 19).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (d) and (e) filed 4-13-2004 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2004, No. 16).
3. Amendment of subsections (a) and (f) filed 1-18-2012; operative 1-18-2012 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2012, No. 3).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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