12 Aug 2026

HOW TO STORE, MAINTAIN & INSPECT POLYESTER WEBBING & ROUND SLINGS

Polyester webbing slings and round slings are widely used throughout UK lifting operations because they are lightweight, flexible, and capable of handling substantial loads without the weight and rigidity associated with many traditional lifting accessories.

However, their performance and service life depend heavily on how they are handled, stored, maintained, and inspected.

Poor storage, chemical contamination, excessive heat, UV exposure, cuts, abrasion, and incorrect lifting practices can progressively damage synthetic lifting slings. Some deterioration is obvious. Other damage can be considerably harder to identify.

A disciplined approach to slings care therefore has two important benefits: helping extend the useful life of lifting equipment, and, more importantly, helping ensure that damaged equipment is removed from service before it creates an unacceptable lifting risk.

This guide explains how polyester webbing and round slings should be stored and maintained, the visible checks users should carry out, common signs of deterioration, and when a sling should be quarantined or withdrawn from service.

POLYESTER WEBBING SLINGS VS ROUND SLINGS: WHY THE DIFFERENCE MATTERS

Although both are commonly manufactured using polyester fibres, their construction differs significantly.

A flat woven webbing sling uses load-bearing woven webbing and will typically incorporate reinforced eyes or other specified end configurations.

A round sling contains load-bearing yarns forming a continuous hank enclosed within a protective outer cover.

This distinction is important during inspection.

With webbing slings, much of the load-bearing material itself is visible. Cuts, abrasion, damaged stitching and other deterioration can therefore often be observed directly.

With round slings, the outer sleeve primarily protects the load-bearing core. Damage to that cover can indicate that the internal load-bearing fibres may also have been exposed to harmful conditions. A round sling should consequently never be assumed to be safe simply because damage appears confined to its outer cover.

WHY CORRECT SLING STORAGE IS IMPORTANT

A sling does not have to be attached to a crane or lifting appliance to become damaged.

Storage conditions can expose synthetic lifting equipment to moisture, dirt, chemicals, heat, sunlight, sharp surfaces and mechanical damage. Poor storage can therefore reduce the condition of equipment before the next lift even begins.

Good storage should achieve three things:

1. Protect the sling from environmental deterioration.
2. Prevent physical or mechanical damage.
3. Make slings easy to identify, inspect and control.

The objective should not simply be to find somewhere convenient to leave lifting equipment. Storage should form part of the lifting equipment management system.

HOW SHOULD POLYESTER SLINGS BE STORED?

1. STORE SLINGS IN A CLEAN, DRY, WELL-VENTILATED AREA

Polyester webbing and round slings should be stored in a designated area that is clean, dry and appropriately ventilated.

Avoid leaving slings:

• on wet floors;
• in standing water;
• outdoors unnecessarily;
• underneath machinery;
• mixed with scrap or waste materials;
• in areas where oils, chemicals or other contaminants are routinely present.

Dedicated racks, hooks, cabinets or controlled sling-storage areas make it easier to protect equipment and identify damage.

Slings should be stored without unnecessary crushing, knotting or compression.

2. PROTECT POLY SLINGS FROM PROLONGED UV EXPOSURE

Synthetic fibres can deteriorate through prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Slings should therefore not be routinely stored in direct sunlight, such as on an exposed yard, vehicle bed or beside a window receiving substantial sunlight.

This is particularly important for equipment that may remain unused for extended periods.

A clean, covered storage location away from direct sunlight is preferable.

Visible fading or discolouration should also prompt closer inspection. Colour change alone does not provide a reliable measurement of remaining sling strength, but it can be evidence that the sling has experienced environmental exposure requiring further assessment.

3. KEEP SLINGS AWAY FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT

Polyester lifting slings should be protected from excessive temperatures and direct heat sources.

Do not store them next to:

• heaters;
• boilers;
• furnaces;
• hot pipework;
• welding operations;
• hot machinery or components;
• other sources of radiant or direct heat.

Heat damage can produce glazing, hardening, deformation, melting or other changes in the fibres.

If a sling has been exposed to temperatures outside the manufacturer's permitted range, do not assume it remains suitable for service because it looks normal.

Quarantine it and obtain competent advice.

4. PREVENT CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION

Polyester has useful resistance to many substances, but that does not make it universally resistant to chemical attack.

The effect of a chemical can depend on its type, concentration, temperature and duration of exposure.

Slings should therefore be stored away from chemicals, chemical vapours and contaminated surfaces.

If chemical contact is known or suspected, identify the substance where possible and consult the sling manufacturer or another competent source before returning the equipment to service.

Particular attention should be given to alkaline substances, which can be damaging to polyester.

Unexplained staining, bleaching, localised fibre deterioration, unusual softness or stiffness, or other changes in material condition should never simply be cleaned off and ignored.

5. KEEP SLINGS AWAY FROM SHARP EDGES & ABRASIVE SURFACES

A sling can be damaged while sitting on a shelf just as easily as during handling if it is dragged over sharp steelwork, stored against burrs or thrown into a container with damaged metal components.

Storage racks and hooks should therefore be smooth and suitable for textile equipment.

Slings should not be dragged across floors when being put into or removed from storage.

This principle also applies during lifting operations. When a sling contacts an edge or abrasive surface, suitable protection should be considered as part of the lifting plan.

SHOULD POLYESTER SLINGS BE CLEANED?

A clean sling is generally easier to inspect than one covered in dirt, grease or process residue.

However, cleaning must not introduce additional damage.

Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. Avoid aggressive chemicals, solvents or cleaning methods unless they are expressly approved for the sling concerned.

After cleaning, allow equipment to dry appropriately before placing it into storage.

A sling should not be aggressively scrubbed, pressure washed, heat dried or treated with chemicals simply to improve its appearance unless the manufacturer confirms that the process is suitable.

Crucially, cleaning is not repair.

Removing dirt from a cut, abraded or chemically affected sling does not make it safe.

CAN POLYESTER WEBBING OR ROUND SLINGS BE REPAIRED?

Users should never carry out improvised repairs to textile lifting slings.

Do not attempt to restore a damaged sling using:

• knots;
• tape;
• cable ties;
• hand stitching;
• adhesive;
• heat;
• makeshift patches; or
• replacement labels that have not been applied through an appropriate controlled process.

A damaged lifting sling should be removed from service and quarantined.

Any decision concerning repair, assessment or return to service should follow the manufacturer's requirements and applicable inspection procedures.

PRE-USE CHECKS: WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR BEFORE EVERY LIFT?  

A pre-use check should be carried out before a sling is used.

The purpose is to identify obvious defects, deterioration, contamination or identification problems that could affect safe use.

The person carrying out the check should have adequate knowledge to recognise common sling defects and understand when equipment needs to be removed from service.

A useful routine is to start with identification and then inspect the entire sling systematically from one end to the other.

CHECK THE SLING IDENTIFICATION

Before examining the textile material itself, check the identification label or marking.

Confirm, as appropriate, that you can identify information such as the sling's:

• Working Load Limit (WLL);
• material;
• relevant configuration or length information;
• manufacturer or supplier identification;
• traceability information.

Never determine the capacity of a sling solely from its colour.

Colour coding can assist identification, but the sling's label and applicable documentation should be used to verify its capacity and identity.

If the identification necessary to establish safe use is missing or illegible, the sling should be removed from service until its status can be properly determined.

VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE ON POLYESTER WEBBING SLINGS

Flat webbing should be inspected across its full accessible length and on both sides where practicable.

Pay particular attention to the eyes, load-bearing areas and locations that routinely contact the load or lifting equipment.

CUT & TEARS

Cuts are among the clearest reasons for concern.

Look for:

• transverse cuts;
• longitudinal cuts;
• edge cuts;
• tears;
• punctures;
• damaged fibres.

Even apparently small cuts can affect load-bearing fibres.

Do not judge a cut simply by comparing its size with the overall width of the sling. Where damage raises doubt about continued safety, withdraw the sling from service.

ABRASION & FRAYING

Some surface wear can develop during use, but significant abrasion can reduce the integrity of the webbing.

Look for:

• excessive fuzzing;
• frayed edges;
• worn yarns;
• localised thinning;
• flattened or visibly damaged sections;
• concentrated wear where the sling repeatedly contacts a load.

Pay particular attention to edge damage. Repeated loading over an unprotected edge can produce severe local deterioration.

DAMAGED STITCHING

On sewn webbing sling assemblies, stitching forms an important part of the sling's construction.

Inspect sewn areas for:

• broken stitches;
• cut threads;
• excessive abrasion;
• loose stitching;
• damaged seams;
• signs that the sewn area has been overloaded or distorted.

Do not attempt to restitch a sling yourself.

HEAT OR FRICTION DAMAGE

Friction and excessive heat can alter synthetic fibres.

Potential warning signs include:

• glazed fibres;
• shiny or hardened areas;
• melting;
• fused fibres;
• scorching;
• unusual stiffness;
• localised deformation.

These signs require the sling to be removed from normal use and assessed appropriately.

CHEMICAL DAMAGE

Chemical deterioration can be less visually obvious than a cut.

Look for changes such as:

• local weakening or loss of fibre;
• unusual surface texture;
• brittleness;
• softening;
• discolouration or bleaching;
• unexplained staining;
• deterioration concentrated in one area.

If chemical contamination is suspected but its effect cannot be confidently determined, quarantine the sling rather than continuing to use it.

VISIBLE SIGS OF DAMAGE ON POLYESTER ROUND SLINGS

Round slings require a slightly different inspection approach because the load-bearing core is enclosed by the outer cover.

Inspect the entire circumference and length of the sling where accessible.

CUT, HOLES & TEARS IN THE COVER

Damage to the protective sleeve may expose the internal load-bearing yarns.

Look for:

• cuts;
• punctures;
• holes;
• torn cover material;
• split seams;
• areas where internal yarns are visible.

Visible core fibres or significant cover damage should be treated seriously.

The cover should not simply be taped over and the sling returned to use.

ABNORMAL LUMPS, BUNCHING OR CHANGES IN SHAPE

Run your hands along the sling where safe and practical while visually checking its profile.

Look and feel for:

• unusual lumps;
• flattened sections;
• inconsistent thickness;
• bunching;
• localised hardness;
• irregularities that were not previously present.

These changes can indicate that the internal load-bearing fibres are no longer sitting normally within the cover.

A round sling with suspicious internal irregularity should be withdrawn from service for further assessment.

HEAT, FRITCTION & CHEMICAL DAMAGE

As with flat webbing, check for glazing, melting, hardening, discolouration and unusual texture.

Because the load-bearing yarns are concealed, damage to the cover can be especially important: it may indicate that conditions capable of damaging the cover have also affected the core.

DON'T FORGET FITTINGS & ACCESSORIES

Depending on the sling, this may include master links, end fittings or other components.

Look for:

• distortion;
• cracks;
• excessive wear;
• corrosion;
• damaged load-bearing surfaces;
• evidence of overheating;
• components that no longer move or seat correctly.

The sling should be considered as a complete lifting accessory. A sound textile body does not make an assembly safe if an associated load-bearing fitting is defective.

WHEN SHOULD A POLYESTER SLING BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE

The key principle is simple:

If there is doubt about a sling's condition, do not use it until its suitability has been established by an appropriate competent person.

Production pressure should never override a questionable inspection result.

PRE-USE CHECKS & THOROUGH EXAMINATIONS ARE NOT THE SAME THING

This distinction is particularly important for UK businesses.

An operator's pre-use check does not replace a formal thorough examination.

Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), lifting equipment and accessories are subject to requirements concerning examination and inspection.

For lifting accessories, thorough examination is generally required at least every six months, unless an alternative interval is specified through an appropriate examination scheme.

A competent person carries out the thorough examination and the required report should be produced.

Pre-use checks remain important because damage can occur between formal examinations.

A sling could pass a thorough examination and then be damaged during the next lifting operation. The existence of a current examination record should therefore never be treated as evidence that a visibly damaged sling can continue to be used.

UK STANDARDS RELEVANT TO POLYESTER SLINGS

For UK organisations, two particularly relevant standards are:

BS EN 1492-1 - Textile slings - Safety - Flat woven webbing slings made of man-made fibres for general purpose use.

BS EN 1492-2 - Textile slings - Safety - Round slings made of man-made fibres for general purpose use.

These standards address matters including construction, safety requirements, testing, marking and information for use.

They should be considered alongside applicable UK legislation, the manufacturer's instructions and the organisation's lifting procedures.

It is also important to distinguish between a British Standard and legislation. LOLER places legal duties on relevant duty holders; BS EN 1492-1 and BS EN 1492-2 provide technical standards relevant to the design and use of these products. They should not simply be described as though they impose identical legal obligations.

Check out these regulations in more detail here

HOW TO EXTEND THE SERVICE LIFE OF POLYESTER LIFTING SLINGS

There is no substitute for removing damaged lifting equipment from service. However, many common causes of premature sling deterioration can be reduced through better handling.

To maximise service life:

• use the correct sling for the load and lifting configuration;
• verify the required WLL before lifting;
• never exceed the sling's rated capacity for the applicable configuration;
• protect slings from sharp edges and abrasive surfaces;
• avoid dragging them across floors;
• do not pull a sling from beneath a load while it remains trapped;
• keep slings away from uncontrolled heat and chemicals;
• avoid knotting or twisting slings;
• inspect equipment before use;
• keep equipment clean where practicable;
• store slings correctly after use; and
• quarantine damaged or questionable equipment immediately.

A relatively small investment in proper sling storage, edge protection, user training and inspection discipline can prevent avoidable damage.

Longer sling life should, however, be viewed as the result of good lifting practice - never as a reason to keep questionable equipment in service.

SHOULD POLYESTER SLINGS HAVE A FIXED REPLACEMENT DATE?

Age alone is not a reliable measure of the condition of a lifting sling.

Two identical slings purchased on the same day can experience completely different working lives. One may be used occasionally in a clean indoor environment. The other may be subjected to frequent lifting, abrasive loads, outdoor exposure and contamination.

Serviceability therefore depends on factors including:

• frequency of use;
• loading history;
• operating environment;
• storage;
• abrasion;
• UV exposure;
• chemical exposure;
• temperature exposure;
• handling practices;
• inspection findings; and
• manufacturer requirements.

Businesses should not invent an arbitrary service life and then assume that every sling is safe until that date.

Equally, a sling should not remain in service indefinitely merely because no obvious defect has been noticed.

Condition, traceability, inspection and examination should drive the decision.

CREATING A BETTER SLING STORAGE & INSPECTION SYSTEM

For organisations managing multiple lifting accessories, physical storage is only part of the solution.

A robust system should make it easy to distinguish between equipment that is:

In service - identified and available for use.

Awaiting examination or assessment - isolated from usable stock.

Quarantined - removed because damage or uncertainty has been identified.

Rejected - permanently withdrawn from lifting service and controlled so that it cannot accidentally return to use.

Where practical, organisations can use dedicated storage zones, equipment registers, unique identification numbers and inspection records to improve traceability.

One particularly important principle is that quarantined equipment should be physically separated from serviceable equipment.

Simply attaching a note to a damaged sling and leaving it on the normal sling rack creates an avoidable risk.

A SIMPLE POLYESTER SLING PRE-USE CHECKLIST

Before using a polyester webbing sling or round sling, ask:

Identification: Can I positively identify this sling and confirm its WLL?

Condition: Are there any cuts, tears, holes, abrasion or damaged fibres?

Stitching: Is the stitching intact where applicable?

Round-sling cover: Is the protective cover intact, with no concerning damage or exposed core?

Shape: Are there any unusual lumps, bunching, hard sections or deformation?

Heat: Is there any melting, glazing, scorching or heat damage?

Chemicals: Is there contamination, discolouration or evidence of chemical attack?

Fittings: Are any associated load-bearing fittings free from obvious damage or distortion?

Suitability: Is this the correct sling and configuration for the intended lift?

Protection: Does the load present edges or surfaces that require suitable sling protection?

Confidence: Is there anything about the sling that makes me uncertain about its safety?

If the answer to that final question is yes, stop and have the equipment assessed before the lift proceeds.

STORAGE & INSPECTION FAQS

How should polyester webbing slings be stored?

Store polyester webbing slings in a clean, dry, appropriately ventilated area away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, chemicals, sharp objects and abrasive surfaces. Dedicated smooth racks or controlled storage areas can help prevent accidental damage and improve equipment management.

Can polyester lifting slings be stored outside?

Routine outdoor storage is best avoided. Exposure to sunlight, weather, dirt, chemicals and uncontrolled environments can accelerate deterioration or make equipment harder to inspect. Follow the manufacturer's storage instructions and use suitable protected storage.

How often should polyester slings be inspected?

Users should carry out appropriate pre-use checks before using lifting accessories. In the UK, lifting accessories are also generally subject to thorough examination under LOLER at least every six months unless an appropriate examination scheme specifies otherwise.

Can a damaged webbing sling be repaired with tape?

No. Tape is not an acceptable improvised repair for a load-bearing textile sling. A damaged sling should be removed from service and assessed in accordance with manufacturer and competent-person requirements.

What happens if a round sling's outer cover is cut?

Damage to the cover requires careful assessment because the cover protects the load-bearing yarns inside. If core fibres are exposed, or the condition of the sling is uncertain, remove it from service. Do not simply cover the damage with tape.

Can you tell the capacity of a webbing sling by its colour?

Colour coding can assist with identification, but colour should not be used as the sole means of determining a sling's Working Load Limit. Verify the sling using its identification and applicable manufacturer information.

What is the difference between LOLER and BS EN 1492?

LOLER is UK legislation governing lifting equipment and lifting operations within its scope. BS EN 1492-1 and BS EN 1492-2 are technical standards addressing flat woven webbing slings and round slings respectively. They serve different functions and should not be treated as interchangeable.

SAFE STORAGE PROTECTS BOTH SLING LIFE & PEOPLE

Polyester webbing slings and round slings are designed to provide dependable lifting performance, but their condition can only be maintained when they are correctly selected, handled, protected, stored and inspected.

Good sling management begins before the lift and continues after it.

Providing clean and protected storage, preventing unnecessary abrasion and environmental exposure, carrying out systematic pre-use checks and immediately quarantining questionable equipment can significantly reduce avoidable deterioration.

That can mean longer equipment life, fewer unnecessary replacements and, most importantly, safer lifting operations.

The priority should never be to make a sling last as long as possible at any cost. It should be to protect the sling throughout its working life and recognise when that working life has safely come to an end.