How to use the lifting straps

The lifting straps are capable of lifting large amounts of weight with practicality and safety. Also known as slings, they are used in various segments, such as civil construction and the auto, metallurgical, port, and vehicle industries.

Steel straps and cables must obey safety standards. For product lifting operations, the use of equipment other than polyester or nylon straps or steel cables is prohibited.

Discover the advantages of lifting straps

With simple handling, lifting straps facilitate day-to-day work and guarantee the safety of products and people involved in operations.

Light but very resistant, polyester straps are used to replace steel cables in lifting and moving loads. As they present the same resistance with a lower weight, they favor ergonomics and contribute to preserving the health of workers and prevent injuries. Also, the straps are sold at more affordable prices, with an excellent cost/benefit ratio.

See how to choose the lifting straps

The lifting strap must always be chosen according to the Maximum Effective Work Load (CMTE). The CMTE will depend, basically, on the weight of the load to be moved and, mainly, on the way the belt will be used at work. It differs from the Maximum Working Load (CMT), which is the load capacity of the belt in vertical mode.

CMTE is obtained from multiplying the CMT by the factor of use (FU) that a belt can sustain in general lifting applications. It is also necessary to consider how many straps will be used together, whether they will be used directly, the incidence of angles, among other factors.

Understand how to calculate the strength of the straps

The straps carry labels with information about the maximum workload (CMT), the Safety Factor, the date of manufacture, the length, recommendations for use (back), and the technical standard. This information must be present in a visible place and also bring the name and CNPJ of the manufacturer and the technician responsible.

The equipment used must never exceed the limits specified by the manufacturer on the product labels, which contain information such as the Safe Work Load (CST), Minimum Break Load (CRM), and Safety Factor (FS). But do you know how these limits are calculated?

The Safe Work Load (CST) corresponds to the load capacity of the straps.

The Minimum Rupture Load (CRM) of the straps needs to be five to seven times the value of the Safe Work Load (CST).

The Safety Factor corresponds to the Safe Work Load (CST) multiplied by the Minimum Break Load: FS = CST X CRM.

The safety factor must, therefore, be seven times greater than the workload. For example, if you use a belt with a vertical resistance capacity of 2 tons with a safety factor of 7: 1, it will be able to support a load five times greater when lifting, that is, it will have a maximum load for breaking of 14 tons.

Find out how to use the straps safely

When purchasing your strap, you must pay attention to the different types of lashing, working angles, and specifics of use.

Also note that the load-lifting straps are distinct from the lashing straps, having specific features, accessories, and safety factors for this type of operation.

Never use the strap to lift a weight greater than the safe workload. If the belt is 1 ton, the maximum safe load of it is 1 ton, regardless of the capacity of its safety factor (rupture load).

To ensure the safety of the people involved in the operations, and maintain the integrity of the products being handled, try to use lifting straps duly certified by ABNT. The technical standard NBR 15637 regulates the criteria for lifting straps and establishes the obligation to identify the load capacity from the product label.

In addition to identifying the capacity on the label, the user can also pay attention to the standard color code, another requirement of the standard. The color of each strap makes it easier to identify the weight limit it supports:

• Orange lifting strap: More than 10,000 Kg
• Blue lifting strap: 8,000 Kg
• Brown lifting strap: 6,000 Kg
• Red lifting strap: 5,000 Kg
• Gray lifting strap: 4,000 Kg
• Yellow lifting strap: 3,000 Kg
• Green lifting strap: 2,000 Kg
• Violet lifting strap: 1,000 Kg

See how to maintain the straps

The straps must be inspected regularly and replaced when they have defective parts.

Avoid dragging hooks and slings across the floor and inspect them for cracks, cracks, corrosion spots, and if the locks are working properly.

The straps must be stored in a dry, ventilated place and where there is no influence of bad weather or corrosive environments that could damage its structure.

Try to use protections along the belt section whenever it comes in contact with abrasive or sharp material, to avoid further damage to the product.

As we have seen, the choice of lifting straps must meet safety criteria, observing their capacity, safety factor, the way it will be used at work, among other factors. Using certified and quality materials, you are guaranteed a much more efficient, safe, and incident-free operation.

Discover the different models of lifting straps