MAINTENANCE

• A thorough examination should be carried out by a competent person at intervals at least every six months or more frequently according to statutory regulations, type of use and past records.
• Chains with bent links or with cracks or gouges in the link should be replaced, as should deformed components such as bent master links, deformed hooks and any fitting showing signs of damage.
• Chain and components wear should never exceed 10% of the original dimensions.
• Once a chain sling has been overloaded it must be taken out of service.
• Store chain slings on a properly designed rack.  They should not be left lying on the floor where they may suffer mechanical or corrosion damage or may be lost.

LIMITATION ON USE

• YOKE alloy chain or chain slings should not be used in acid or caustic solutions nor in heavily acidic or caustic laden atmospheres.  The high tensile strength of the heat treated alloy material in alloy steel chains and components is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement when exposed to acids.
• YOKE slings must not be heat-treated, galvanized, plated, coated or subject to any process involving heating or picking.  Each of these processes can have dangerous effects and will invalidate the manufacturers certificate.
• YOKE slings may be used at temperatures between-40¢XC to 200¢XC with no reduction in the working load limit.  The use of   YOKE chain sling within the permissible temperature range in the table below does not require any permanent reduction in working load limit when the chain sling is returned to normal temperatures.  A sling accidentally exposed to temperatures in excess of the maximum permissible should be withdrawn from service immediately and returned to the distributor for thorough examination.

When using YOKE slings in exceptionally hazardous conditions, the degree of hazard should be assessed by a competent person and the working load limit adjusted accordingly.  Examples are lifting of potentially dangerous loads such as molten metals, corrosive materials or fissile material and including certain offshore activities.next page