Everything below the crane hook has its own standard, its own discard criteria and its own inspection interval. Grade T chain slings are governed by AS 3775.2, wire rope slings by AS 1666.2, round slings and flat webbing slings by AS 4497 and AS 1353, shackles by AS 2741 and lifting beams, spreader bars and other lifting devices by AS 4991. Each requires periodic inspection by a competent person and a register that records it.
We inspect lifting gear on site or at a central store, apply the discard criteria of the governing standard, tag each item, and update the lifting gear register so the site can show every item in use is identified, inspected and within its interval.
Inspection checklist areas
- Chain slings (AS 3775.2)
- Identification tag and grade marking, link wear against nominal diameter, elongation or stretch, nicks, gouges, cracks and heat damage, master link and hook condition, latch function.
- Wire rope slings (AS 1666.2)
- Broken wires per lay length, diameter reduction, corrosion, kinks, crushing and birdcaging, ferrule and splice condition, thimble and termination integrity.
- Synthetic slings (AS 4497 and AS 1353)
- Label legibility and capacity, cover cuts and abrasion exposing load-bearing yarns, chemical, heat or UV degradation, stitching and eye condition.
- Shackles, hooks and components (AS 2741, AS 3776, AS 3777)
- Pin and bow wear, thread and pin engagement, deformation, marking and grade, hook throat opening and latch, swivel and eyebolt condition.
- Lifting beams and spreader bars (AS 4991)
- Identification and rated capacity marking, weld and lifting lug condition by visual and MT, deformation, corrosion, pin and shackle attachment points, design documentation and proof load records.
- Register and tagging
- Unique identification, inspection date and next due date, colour-code tagging where used, quarantine of rejected items, register reconciliation against items on site.
Known failure modes
Chain link failure
Worn, stretched, nicked or heat-affected links, or slings used at the wrong angle factor, failing under load.
Wire rope sling failure
Broken wires and corrosion at the ferrule or in the body, or slings bent around sharp edges without protection.
Synthetic sling cut-through
Cuts and abrasion from sharp loads, or chemical and UV degradation, especially on unprotected round slings.
Shackle pin loss
Unmoused pins backing out under vibration, or mismatched and unrated pins.
Lifting beam and lug failure
Cracked lug welds, undocumented fabrication or modification, or use beyond the marked capacity.
Applicable standards and regulations
| Reference | Title | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| AS 3775.1 and 3775.2 | Chain slings for lifting purposes — Grade T — Product specification; Care and use | Design, inspection interval and discard criteria for chain slings. |
| AS 1666.1 and 1666.2 | Wire-rope slings — Product specification; Care and use | Inspection and discard criteria for wire rope slings. |
| AS 4497 and AS 1353 series | Round slings — Synthetic fibre; Flat synthetic-webbing slings | Inspection and discard criteria for synthetic slings. |
| AS 2741 | Shackles | Specification and inspection basis for shackles. |
| AS 3776 and AS 3777 | Lifting components for Grade T chain slings; Shank hooks and large-eye hooks | Specification and inspection basis for hooks and components. |
| AS 4991 | Lifting devices | Design, marking, proof testing and periodic inspection of lifting beams, spreader bars and other lifting devices. |
Inspection intervals
- Chain slings
- Periodic inspection by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and more frequently (commonly every 3 months) in severe service, under AS 3775.2.
- Wire rope and synthetic slings
- Periodic inspection at intervals not exceeding 12 months under AS 1666.2, AS 4497 and AS 1353, with more frequent inspection in arduous conditions.
- Lifting devices
- Periodic inspection at intervals not exceeding 12 months under AS 4991, and inspection after any repair or modification.
When to inspect
- Quarterly or annual lifting gear inspection cycle
- New gear arriving on site or gear returning from another site
- After overload, shock loading or exposure to heat or chemicals
- Audit findings of untagged or unregistered gear
- Before lifts using fabricated or one-off lifting devices
Frequently asked questions
How often must lifting slings be inspected?
AS 3775.2, AS 1666.2, AS 4497 and AS 1353 all require periodic inspection by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months, with more frequent inspection — commonly quarterly — in severe or arduous service. Users must also inspect slings before each use.
What are the discard criteria for chain slings?
Under AS 3775.2 a chain sling is withdrawn if links show wear beyond the permitted reduction of nominal diameter, measurable stretch or elongation, cracks, nicks, gouges, bent or twisted links, heat discolouration or weld spatter, or if the identification tag is missing or illegible.
Do fabricated lifting beams need certification?
Yes. AS 4991 requires lifting devices to be designed, marked with rated capacity and identification, proof tested where required, and periodically inspected. A beam without design documentation or markings is reported as unfit for use until it is assessed.
Can you maintain our lifting gear register?
Yes. Each item is uniquely identified, tagged and recorded with its inspection outcome and next due date, and the register is reconciled against the gear found on site so that missing or foreign items are identified.