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Introduction to Sling Load Tension Calculations.

Technical Report · February 2015

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Mitch Ricketts
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 Introduction to Sling Load Tension Calculations
Lecture Series:
Preparation for the Certified Safety Professional Examinations
© 2015 Mitch Ricketts
Northeastern State University

When slings are used to lift loads, safety

professionals must ensure the weight does
not exceed the safe working load limit
(WLL) of the sling. If the weight is too great,
the sling may break and drop the load—
causing property damage, serious injury, or
death.
This lecture explores some basic
concepts used to establish working load
limits for rigging. The calculations assume
steady, balanced lifts with no shock loading,
and normal environmental conditions.

In the first example, we will consider a

vertical sling hitch, in which the sling is
oriented at a 90º angle to horizontal.

Our task is to determine the tension on

the sling. If tension exceeds the working
load limit of the sling, it is not safe to lift the
load.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 1

 When the sling angle is 90º to horizontal
(a vertical hitch), tension is simply the
weight of the load divided by the number of
slings (legs) used to lift the load.

Since the weight of the load is 1,000 lbs.

and there is one sling (leg), sling tension is
1,000 lbs. ÷ 1.

In other words, sling tension is 1,000 lbs.

for the single-leg sling.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 2

 After calculating the tension exerted on
the sling, we find that we must have a sling
with a “working load limit” (WLL) of at
least 1,000 lbs.
The “working load limit” is a lifting
capacity that is less than the actual test
strength (“breaking strength”) of a sling.
The working load limit accounts for factors
that might cause the sling to break
unpredictably.
To determine the “breaking strength”
required for a particular working load, we
multiply sling-tension/working-load by a
design factor.
There are exceptions, but for most sling
materials (in new condition) the safety
design factor is at least 5.
After applying the design factor of 5, we
find that the sling breaking strength must be
at least 5,000 lbs.
This means we need a sling with a
“working load limit” of at least 1,000 lbs.,
which equates to a sling “breaking strength”
of at least 5,000 lbs.

For our next example, let’s consider a 2-

leg sling with a vertical hitch. In other
words, we have 2 slings, each attached at a
90° angle to the load.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 3

 As before, sling tension is calculated as
the weight of the load divided by the number
of sling legs.

In the case of a 1,000 lb. load, the

tension is 500 lbs. on each leg of the sling.

These calculations indicate we need two

slings, each with a “working load limit” of
at least 500 lbs.
Multiplying 500 lbs. by a design factor
of 5, we find that the working load limit
equates to a “breaking strength” of at least
2,500 lbs.
Sling manufacturers typically mark
slings with the working load limit (WLL);
however, you may also see a marking for the
breaking strength/ultimate strength. Be sure
to select a sling according to the proper
limit.

In our next example, we will consider a

2-leg sling in which the legs are not vertical.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 4

 When the legs are not vertical, we must
consider the angle (Ɵ) between sling legs
and the horizontal plane.

For non-vertical legs, sling tension is the

weight of the load divided by the number of
sling legs, times the sine of the angle Ɵ.

Even with vertical slings…

…the sine of the angle is part of the

equation.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 5

 However, we can ignore the sine for
vertical slings…

…because the sine of 90° = 1.

Multiplication by one has no effect on

the calculation, so we cancel it…

…resulting in the equation we used

earlier for vertical slings, which is the
weight of the load divided by number of
sling legs.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 6

 For angles other than 90°, the sine will
not be one. Thus, we must include the sine
in the formula for non-vertical slings.

Hint: If you practice your calculations in

Excel, this is the general formula for the sine
of an angle. Thus, the sine of 60° in Excel
is:
=sin(radians(60))

As an example of a non-vertical sling,

let’s consider a 2-leg bridle sling with angles
of 60º between each leg and the horizontal
plane.

Since the sling angle is 60º, we calculate

the load based on the sine of 60º.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 7

 Next, we insert the weight of the load
(1,000 lbs.) and the number of legs (2) into
the equation.

The sine of 60º is 0.8660.

Completing the calculations, we see that

the 1,000 lb. load creates a tension of 577
lbs. on each leg of the sling.

At an angle of 60º, the calculations

indicate we need two slings, each with a
“working load limit” of at least 577 lbs.
(equivalent to a “breaking strength” of at
least 2,885 lbs. per sling).

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 8

 As another example, let’s calculate the
tension on each leg of a 2-leg bridle sling at
an angle of 45º to horizontal.

We insert the following values into the

equation: 1,000 lbs. (load); 2 (legs); and 45º
(angle).

The sine of 45º is 0.7071.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 9

 The calculations indicate a 1,000 lb. load
will create a tension of 707 lbs. in each leg
of a 2-leg sling at an angle of 45º.

To lift the load safely at this angle, we

need two slings, each with a working load
limit (WLL) of 707 lbs. (equivalent to a
breaking strength of 3,535).
It is clear from these calculations that
sling tension increases as sling angles
decrease.

Some loads are not symmetrical, and

they may result in different angles for the
two slings. Since smaller sling angles create
greater tension, be sure to calculate tension
for the sling with the smaller angle.

Next, let’s consider a lift involving a

1,000 lb. load with a 2-leg sling having sling
angles of 30º from horizontal.

Try working the problem on your own

before looking at the solutions on the
following pages.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 10

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 11
 Here is the final example.

Try working it on your own. Then use

the illustrated solution to check your work.

Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 12

 Because of the great stresses produced,
sling angles should never be less than 30°,
unless specifically approved by the sling
manufacturer.

Sources for Further Study:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.). Guidance on
sling use. Washington, DC: Author.
Bechtel Corporation. (2002). Bechtel rigging handbook (2nd ed.). San Francisco:
Author.
Yates, W. D. (2011). Safety professional’s reference and study guide. Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Young, G. (Ed.). (2010). Applied mathematics for safety professionals. Des
Plaines, IL: American Society of Safety Professionals.
Sling Tension © 2015 Dr. Mitch Ricketts Page 13

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