What is the SWL ratio for slings when hoisting personnel?

What is the SWL ratio for slings when hoisting personnel?

• A. 5 to 1
• B. 10 to 1
• C. 15 to 1
• D. 20 to 1

Answer: (B)

When lifting people with slings, a large safety margin is built into the rigging. The SWL ratio shows how much the sling’s rated capacity exceeds the weight of the person being hoisted. For personnel hoisting, the standard minimum is ten to one: the sling must be rated for at least ten times the person’s weight. This big margin helps absorb shock loads, dynamic forces, angle effects, and potential harness or hitch losses, reducing the risk of sling failure during lift or rescue operations. So, for a person weighing 200 pounds, the sling should be rated for at least 2,000 pounds. Lower ratios, like five to one, wouldn’t provide as much safety margin, while higher ratios, though beneficial, exceed the required minimum for this scenario.

When lifting people with slings, a large safety margin is built into the rigging. The SWL ratio shows how much the sling’s rated capacity exceeds the weight of the person being hoisted. For personnel hoisting, the standard minimum is ten to one: the sling must be rated for at least ten times the person’s weight. This big margin helps absorb shock loads, dynamic forces, angle effects, and potential harness or hitch losses, reducing the risk of sling failure during lift or rescue operations.

So, for a person weighing 200 pounds, the sling should be rated for at least 2,000 pounds. Lower ratios, like five to one, wouldn’t provide as much safety margin, while higher ratios, though beneficial, exceed the required minimum for this scenario.