If a web sling shows chemical damage, should it be used?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with manufacturer approval
• D. Only if no visible damage

Answer: (B)

Chemical damage to a web sling means the fibers have been weakened and the sling cannot be trusted to carry a load safely. Exposure to chemicals can break down the polymer fibers, lowering tensile strength and creating defects that may not be visible but still compromise performance. Because the risk of sudden failure is high, the safe choice is to remove the sling from service and discard it rather than trying to reuse it or seeking approval from the manufacturer. Visible damage isn’t the only concern—chemical exposure can undermine strength even when nothing looks wrong, so it’s not acceptable to rely on the absence of visible damage to justify reuse. Discard and replace with a sling that has not been exposed to chemicals.