Synthetic slings should not be exposed to temperatures below which value?

• A. -40°F
• B. 40°F
• C. 200°F
• D. 400°F

Answer: (A)

Synthetic slings have a defined minimum operating temperature. As temperatures drop, the fibers (often nylon or polyester) become stiff and brittle, which reduces their strength and makes them more susceptible to cracking or breaking under load. This means exposing a sling to temperatures below -40°F can lead to sudden failure even when the sling is carrying a rated load. So, -40°F is the critical lower limit you must not go below. The other temperatures listed aren’t the minimum low-temperature threshold—40°F is just a cool but not dangerous temperature, while 200°F and 400°F refer to high-heat limits that can damage the sling material rather than indicate a safe low-temperature bound.