What are the requirements for slings?

General Requirements and Inspection Criteria for Slings

Suspended loads can present many hazards to our workers, such as struck-by, falling objects, and caught between injuries. The equipment we use to hoist loads, such as materials or equipment, must meet the applicable ASME standard and be inspected prior to each use. Please review the information below to understand the OSHA requirements for hoisting equipment.

Safe Operating Practices (OSHA 1926.251)

Whenever any sling is used, the following practices shall be observed:

1. Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.
2. Slings shall not be shortened with knots, bolts, or other makeshift devices.
3. Sling legs shall not be kinked.
4. Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities.
5. Slings used in a basket hitch shall have the loads balanced to prevent slippage.
6. Slings shall be securely attached to their loads.
7. Slings shall be padded or protected from the sharp edges of their loads.
8. Suspended loads shall be kept clear of all obstructions.
9. All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended loads.
10. Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling and its load while the sling is being tightened around the load.
11. Shock loading is prohibited.
12. A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.
13. Employers must not load a sling in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed by the sling manufacturer, or the identification markings permanently affixed to the sling.
14. Employers must only use slings with affixed and legible identification markings.

Inspections

Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.

Removal Criteria

Wire Rope Slings (ASME B30.9)

A wire rope sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Broken Wires:
   • For strand-laid and single-part slings, 10 randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or 5 broken wires in one strand in one rope lay.
   • For cable-laid slings, 20 broken wires per lay.
   • For less than eight-part braided slings, 20 broken wires per braid.
   • For eight-part or more than eight braided slings, 40 broken wires per braid.
3. Severe localized abrasion or scraping.
4. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other damage resulting in damage to the rope structure.
5. Evidence of heat damage.
6. End attachments that are cracked, deformed, or worn to the extent that the strength of the sling is substantially affected.
7. Severe corrosion of the rope, end attachments, or fittings.
8. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10.
9. For rigging hardware, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.26.
10. Other conditions, including visible damage, cause doubt as to the continued use of the sling.

Nylon Web Slings (ASME B30.9)

A synthetic web sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Acid or caustic burns.
3. Melting or charring of any part of the sling.
4. Holes, tears, cuts, or snags.
5. Broken or worn stitching in load-bearing splices.
6. Excessive abrasive wear.
7. Knots in any part of the sling.
8. Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the sling may mean chemical or ultraviolet/sunlight damage.
9. Fittings that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken.
10. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10.
11. For rigging hardware, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.26.
12. Other conditions, including visible damage, cause doubt about the continued use of the sling.

Polyester Round Slings (ASME B30.9)

A synthetic round sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Acid or caustic burns.
3. Evidence of heat damage.
4. Holes, tears, cuts, abrasive wear, or snags that expose the core yarns.
5. Broken or damaged core yarns.
6. Weld splatter that exposes core yarns.
7. Knots in the round slings, except for core yarns inside the cover.
8. Fittings that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken.
9. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10.
10. For rigging hardware, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.26.
11. Other conditions, including visible damage, may cause doubt about the continued use of the sling.

Alloy Steel Chain Slings (ASME B30.9)

An alloy steel chain sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Cracks or breaks.
3. Excessive wear, nicks, or gouges.
4. Stretched chain links or components.
5. Bent, twisted, or deformed chain links or components.
6. Evidence of heat damage.
7. Excessive pitting or corrosion.
8. Lack of ability of chain or components to hinge (articulate) freely.
9. Weld splatter.
10. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10.
11. For rigging hardware, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.26.
12. Other conditions, including visible damage, cause doubt about the continued use of the sling.

Federal law requires that sling carriers comply with the Sling Carrier Standard and with additional requirements, including those of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).

Manufacturers and importers of sling carriers must certify in a Children's Product Certificate that their sling carriers comply with the standard and any additional CPSIA requirements after the sling carriers have been tested for compliance at a CPSC-accepted, third party laboratory. These requirements are discussed below at: www.cpsc.gov/BusinessEducation.

What is a sling carrier?

A sling carrier is a product of fabric or sewn fabric construction, which is designed to contain up to two occupant children (with a child being defined as between full-term birth and 35 lbs. (15.9 kg), though manufacturers may provide a higher weight limit), in an upright or reclined position while being supported by the caregiver’s torso.  

The designs of infant slings vary, but the designs generally range from unstructured hammock-shaped products that suspend from the caregiver's body, to long lengths of material or fabric that are wrapped around the caregiver's body. Infant slings normally are worn with the infant(s) positioned on the front, hip, or back of the consumer, and with the infant(s) facing toward or away from the consumer. 

As stated in the “sling carrier” definition, these products generally allow the infant(s) to be placed in an upright or reclined position. However, the reclined position is intended to be used only when the infant(s) are worn on the front of the consumer. 

The ability to carry the infant(s) in a reclined position is the primary feature that distinguishes sling carriers from soft infant and toddler carriers, another subset of sling carriers.

What is the purpose of the sling carrier standard?

The standard seeks to minimize the risk of deaths and injuries associated with the use of sling carriers, including those related to caregiver falls, infant falls from carriers, structural and design problems of carriers, and deficiency of consumer education regarding product use.

Where can I find the standard for sling carriers?

The standard is published in the Code of Federal Regulations 16 CFR Part 1228,and incorporates by reference ASTM F2907-22, with the addition of Subsection 5.7.3, requiring: “[w]arning labels that are attached to the fabric with seams shall remain in contact with the fabric around the entire perimeter of the label, when the sling is in all manufacturer-recommended use positions.”  ASTM F2907-22, the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Sling Carriers, can be purchased from ASTM International. ASTM F2907-22 can be viewed free of charge as a read-only document at: https://www.astm.org/products-services/reading-room.html. 

What are the requirements for sling carriers?

The standard includes performance requirements specific to sling carriers, general performance requirements, and labeling requirements. The key provisions of the ASTM sling carrier standard include the following:

• Static and dynamic load testing on seating area(s) – intended to ensure structural integrity and that fastener slippage does not exceed allowable limits.
• Warnings – intended to alert the caregiver to infant fall and suffocation hazards through warnings and promote safe use of sling carriers.
• Occupant retention – intended to ensure slippage of attachment system does not exceed allowable limits during testing and that occupant remains in carrier.
• Restraint System – if a restraint system is included, this test is meant to prevent falls by setting requirements for restraint design and attachment strength.
• Flammability – intended to ensure the product meets the flammability requirements of 16 C.F.R. part 1610

The standard also includes: (1) laundering requirements to ensure shrinkage does not impair performance of the carrier; (2) wood parts must be smooth and free of splinters;  (3) requirements prohibiting hazardous sharp points and edges; (4) latching/locking mechanism requirements to ensure that the sling carrier remains in the manufacturer’s recommended carrying position during testing; (5) requirements for the permanency and adhesion of labels; (6) design requirements to prevent scissoring, shearing, and pinching; and (7) requirements for warnings and instructional literature.

What are the additional requirements for sling carriers required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008?

Sling carriers are subject to requirements for surface coatings, lead, and (in certain circumstances) phthalate content, testing and certification, registration cards, and tracking labels. These requirements are discussed below and at: www.cpsc.gov/BusinessEducation:

• Surface Coating Limit: Sling carriers must not be painted with paint that contains more than 90 ppm (0.009 percent) lead.

• Lead Content Limit: Sling carriers must not contain greater than 100 ppm (0.01 percent) of total lead content in any accessible component part.

• Phthalate Content Limits: Sling carriers that contain plasticized parts that are designed, marketed, or intended to facilitate sleep or have plasticized components that are designed, marketed, or intended to facilitate eating, must not contain more than 0.1 percent of the following eight specified phthalates: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPENP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHEXP), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP).

• Testing and Certification: Sling carriers, like all products that are designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger, must be tested by a CPSC-accepted, third party laboratory for compliance with the Sling Carrier Standard and all other applicable children’s product safety rules. Based on that testing, a domestic manufacturer (or importer) of sling carriers must issue a Children's Product Certificate specifying each applicable rule and indicating that the product complies with those rules.

• Product and Outer Package Labeling Requirements: Durable infant or toddler products, such as sling carriers, must be permanently marked with specific labeling information, including tracking labels, on the product and on the packaging. 
   
• Product Registration Card Requirement: In addition, durable infant or toddler products are required to have additional product markings and a product registration card attached to the product.  This chart summarizes the specific labeling and registration requirements that durable infant and toddler products must meet.

Where can I find additional information?

For more information on the requirements for soft infant and toddler carriers, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Visit our Regulatory Robot, designed to guide you through CPSC’s product safety requirements.
• Office of Compliance (for specific enforcement inquires): e-mail: section15@cpsc.gov; telephone: (800) 638-2772
• Small Business Ombudsman (for general assistance understanding and complying with CPSC regulations): e-mail: Please use our Contact Form, which is the best way to get a fast response; telephone: (888) 531-9070.

ASTM F2907-22 can be viewed free of charge as a read-only document at: https://www.astm.org/products-services/reading-room.html. To purchase copies of ASTM F2907-22, contact ASTM International at: www.astm.org or via telephone: (610) 832-9500.

This communication has been prepared for general informational purposes only.  This summary document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice nor does it replace or supersede a manufacturer’s obligations to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, standards, or bans enforced by CPSC. This communication has not been reviewed or approved by the Commission, and does not necessarily represent their views. Any views expressed in this communication may be changed or superseded by the Commission.