During a visual inspection of web slings before use, what should be checked?

• A. Look for cuts, fraying, broken or worn stitching, excessive wear, chemical damage, and visible damage to the eyes.
• B. Check only the color of the sling.
• C. Weigh the sling to ensure it's within tolerance.
• D. Inspect only the protective coating for scratches.

Answer: (A)

Pre-use visual inspection of web slings is all about spotting damage that can reduce strength and lead to a failure under load. Web slings rely on intact fibers and reinforced stitching for their rated capacity, so any cuts, fraying, broken or worn stitching, or excessive wear directly signals weakened strength. Chemical exposure can degrade fibers even if the surface looks okay, and damage to the eyes—the loop areas that the hooks or shackles attach to—can create a critical failure point if the sling is loaded. Because these issues affect load-bearing ability, a damaged sling must be removed from service rather than used.

Color alone isn’t a reliable indicator of safety, and weighing the sling isn’t part of the visual inspection or a field method to verify rating. Inspecting only the protective coating misses potential damage hidden in the core fibers or seams, so a thorough check of the entire sling and its eyes is essential.