EN 1492-2 is the European safety standard that specifies the requirements for round slings made from man-made fibres used for lifting purposes. The standard ensures that textile lifting slings are manufactured, tested, and labelled in accordance with strict safety guidelines.
This standard applies specifically to endless round slings made from materials such as polyester, polyamide, or polypropylene, which are commonly used in lifting operations across construction, manufacturing, logistics, and engineering industries.
Compliance with EN 1492-2 helps ensure that lifting slings are safe, reliable, and suitable for professional lifting operations.
What EN 1492-2 Covers
The EN 1492-2 standard defines the essential safety and performance requirements for textile round slings used in lifting applications.
Key areas covered by the standard include:
1. Sling Design and Construction
The standard specifies how round slings must be manufactured, including:
- Continuous load-bearing yarn construction
- Protective outer sleeve requirements
- Materials suitable for lifting applications
These design requirements help ensure that round slings maintain their strength and flexibility during lifting operations.
2. Working Load Limit (WLL)
EN 1492-2 defines how the Working Load Limit (WLL) of a round sling is determined.
Round slings are typically manufactured with a safety factor of 7:1, meaning the sling’s minimum breaking strength is seven times greater than its rated working load.
This safety margin helps account for:
- dynamic forces during lifting
- wear over time
- environmental conditions
One of the most recognisable aspects of EN 1492-2 is the standard colour coding used for round slings.
Each colour corresponds to a specific Working Load Limit, allowing operators to quickly identify sling capacity.
Common examples include:
| Colour | WLL |
|---|---|
| Purple | 1 tonne |
| Green | 2 tonnes |
| Yellow | 3 tonnes |
| Grey | 4 tonnes |
| Red | 5 tonnes |
| Brown | 6 tonnes |
| Blue | 8 tonnes |
| Orange | 10 tonnes |
While colour coding provides quick visual identification, operators should always verify the sling label or tag for the official WLL rating.
4. Marking and Labelling Requirements
EN 1492-2 requires each sling to include a durable identification label containing important safety information.
Typical sling labels include:
- Working Load Limit (WLL)
- manufacturer identification
- material type
- safety standard reference (EN 1492-2)
- traceability information
If a sling label becomes unreadable or detached, the sling should not be used, as its capacity can no longer be verified.
5. Testing and Safety Requirements
To comply with EN 1492-2, round slings must undergo rigorous testing to confirm their strength and durability.
Testing requirements include:
- minimum breaking strength tests
- load performance verification
- durability testing
These tests ensure that the sling performs safely within its specified load capacity.
Why EN 1492-2 Compliance Matters
Using lifting equipment that complies with EN 1492-2 provides several important benefits:
- Improved safety during lifting operations
- Consistent load ratings across manufacturers
- Compliance with European lifting standards
- Greater confidence in lifting equipment performance
For industries that rely on lifting equipment, using compliant slings helps reduce the risk of equipment failure and workplace accidents.
Access the Full EN 1492-2 Standard
The complete EN 1492-2 standard contains detailed technical specifications for the design, testing, and safe use of textile round slings.
You can access the official document here: