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SV UNE-EN 1492
Identify it first
The label colour tells you the material: blue, polyester; green, polyamide; brown, polypropylene.[1][4]
On reusable slings, the colour of the webbing or cover shows the WLL in a straight lift. It's a guide, but the label rules.[1][6]
- 1 t
- 2 t
- 3 t
- 4 t
- 5 t
- 6 t
- 8 t
- 10 t
Polyester and polyamide are used from −40 °C to 100 °C; polypropylene, from −40 °C to 80 °C.[1]
Take it out of service if…
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It has no label, or the label is torn or illegible.[1]
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It has lengthwise or crosswise cuts, or tears at the ends. On webbing slings, a cut on the edge is especially serious.[2]
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Load-bearing stitching is damaged or loose, or the fabric is coming apart.[2]
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It has shiny, glazed or melted areas from heat or friction, or welding burns.[2]
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There is chemical damage: areas that are hardened, softened or flaking.[2]
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The surface is badly worn, crushed or abraded in one spot.[2]
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On round slings, the cover has a serious crosswise cut or several together, or the core yarns are showing.[4]
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It has knots.[2]
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The eyes or fittings are deformed, cracked or broken.[2]
None of the sources gives a figure (millimetres of cut, percentage of width). For that, check the manufacturer's instructions.
Before each use
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Label present and legible, and WLL enough for the slinging method.
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Go over the whole length by eye and by hand: cuts, burns, stitching.
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If it's very dirty, clean it first: dirt hides damage.
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Keep edge protectors to hand.
Who inspects it and how often
In Spain, RD 1215/1997 (art. 4) requires periodic checks by competent personnel, documented throughout the equipment's life, but sets no interval. NTP 842 only asks for a check before each use. In the UK, LOLER requires a thorough examination of accessories at least every 6 months. If it gets contaminated by a chemical, take it out of service and have a competent person examine it.[3][2][5][1]
Field tip
Store them hanging, in the shade and away from welding. Sunlight degrades synthetic fibres without it being visible to the naked eye.[2]
If you note in each sling's record when it went into service and what each inspection found, you'll know what to look for next time.
Sources
- [1] INSST, NTP 841. Eslingas textiles (I)
- [2] INSST, NTP 842. Eslingas textiles (II)
- [3] RD 1215/1997 (BOE)
- [4] SAFed, MLCC 10. Thorough examination of textile slings
- [5] HSE, Thorough examinations and inspections of lifting equipment
- [6] DLT, código de colores EN 1492
Guidance written by TTM inspectors. Your equipment manufacturer's instructions and the standard that applies to it take precedence. Sources reviewed in October 2026.