OSHA has recently completed phase 3 of their Standard Improvement Project, which involves identifying and revising standards that are confusing, outdated, duplicative or inconsistant in the construction industry.  One of the many changes involves slings and shackles used for rigging activities.

Employers can no longer use the load capacity tables found in OSHA's construction standard, 1926.251, to establish working capacities of slings.  The tables , originally based on ANSI B30.9-1971 criteria, are now  considered to be obsolete.

The outdated tables are being replaced with a requirement that prohibits employers from loading slings in excess of the recommended safe working load as prescribed on permanently affixed identification markings.  

To avoid potential OSHA compliance issues, you should check your inventory of rigging equipment and ensure that rated capacities are legible and permanently affixed.  With use, the tags and markings can become detached or damaged. Employers are not only required to ensure that the slings retain their integrity, they are to replace tags that become detached or otherwise unreadable so the end user can safely apply the equipment within the rated capcity.

The rule applies to slings made from allow steel chain, wire rope, natural and synthetic materials as well as shackles and hooks.  Adoption of these changes is slated for early 2012.

Section 1926.251 Rigging Equipment for Material Handling

(a) (General) (2) Employers must ensure that rigging equipment: (i) Has permanently affixed and legible markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicates the recommended safe working load; (ii) Not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed on the identification marking by the manufacturer; and (iii) Not be used without affixed, legible identification markings, required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.