How do you identify damage to a wire rope sling?

• A. Look for broken wires, crushing, birdcaging, corrosion, kinks, heat damage, or excessive wear.
• B. Only check for rust on the exterior.
• C. Look for discoloration due to sun exposure.
• D. Check for moisture inside the sling.

Answer: (A)

Inspecting a wire rope sling for damage relies on recognizing several telltale signs of deterioration that undermine its strength. Look for broken wires, crushing or flattening, birdcaging where the strands spread apart, corrosion, kinks, heat damage, or excessive wear along the length or at connections. Each of these indicators shows the rope has been overstressed, worn, or degraded, and it reduces the sling’s load-carrying capacity or creates snag points that can lead to sudden failure. Because damage can be internal or hidden, a thorough inspection should not rely on exterior appearance alone—cracking, worn strands, or internal corrosion may not be visible from the outside. Conversely, discoloration from sun exposure or moisture present inside the sling are not reliable standalone indicators of danger, though moisture could contribute to corrosion if present. If any of the listed damage signs is observed, the sling must be removed from service and replaced or repaired by a qualified person following applicable standards.