Product Overview

Summary: This Sling Selection and Use Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for choosing, inspecting and using lifting slings safely in Australian workplaces. It helps your team control the significant risks associated with lifting operations, while supporting compliance with WHS legislation, Australian Standards and site-specific lifting requirements.

Lifting operations are among the highest-risk activities on any site, and the incorrect selection or use of slings is a common root cause of dropped loads, equipment damage and serious injuries. This Sling Selection and Use SOP translates complex technical requirements from Australian Standards into practical, easy-to-follow steps that workers can apply on the ground. It covers the full lifecycle of sling use, from planning the lift and calculating load weights through to selecting the correct sling type, inspecting its condition, applying the right sling configuration and storing it correctly after use.

By implementing this procedure, businesses create a consistent, defensible approach to lifting that reduces reliance on guesswork and “tribal knowledge”. The SOP clarifies who is authorised to select and inspect slings, how to interpret Working Load Limits (WLL), angle factors and tag information, and what to do when equipment is damaged or uncertified. It is designed to support compliance with WHS duties across all Australian jurisdictions, reduce the likelihood of dropped object incidents, and provide clear documentation to demonstrate due diligence during audits, incident investigations and contractor prequalification processes.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of dropped loads, crush injuries and near misses by standardising how slings are selected, inspected and used.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Australian Standards and WHS regulations for lifting operations and lifting equipment.
• Improve decision-making on site by providing clear guidance on sling types, WLL, angle factors, hitch configurations and load assessments.
• Streamline training and onboarding for riggers, doggers and operators with a consistent, documented procedure.
• Extend the service life of lifting gear by promoting correct use, inspection, rejection criteria and storage practices.

Who is this for?

• Doggers and Riggers
• Crane Operators
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Workshop and Fabrication Supervisors
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Maintenance and Engineering Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Dropped loads due to incorrect sling selection or overloading
• Crush and pinch injuries to hands, feet and body during lifting and landing of loads
• Equipment failure from using damaged, worn or incorrectly rated slings
• Load instability caused by poor rigging configuration or incorrect centre-of-gravity assessment
• Struck-by incidents from swinging or shifting loads
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of heavy slings and lifting gear
• Entanglement or snagging of slings on sharp edges or surrounding structures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (slings, WLL, SWL, hitch types, angle factors)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements (doggers, riggers, crane operators, supervisors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance Material
• 5.0 Types of Slings and Typical Applications (chain, wire rope, synthetic webbing, round slings, specialty slings)
• 6.0 Pre-Use Planning and Lift Assessment (load weight, centre of gravity, lift path, exclusion zones)
• 7.0 Sling Selection Criteria (capacity, environment, load characteristics, attachment points)
• 8.0 Working Load Limits, Angle Factors and Sling Configurations (straight, basket, choke hitches)
• 9.0 Pre-Use Inspection and Rejection Criteria for Slings and Fittings
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Rigging and Connecting Slings to Loads
• 11.0 Safe Operation During Lifting, Moving and Landing of Loads
• 12.0 Controls for Sharp Edges, Temperature, Chemicals and Environmental Conditions
• 13.0 Tagging, Certification and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 14.0 Storage, Handling and Maintenance of Slings
• 15.0 Managing Non-Conformances, Damaged Equipment and Incident Reporting
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 17.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and mirror state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and mirror state and territory WHS Regulations – Plant and High Risk Work
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• AS 4991: Lifting devices
• AS 1353.1: Flat synthetic-webbing slings – Product specification
• AS 4497.1: Roundslings – Synthetic fibre – Product specification
• AS 3775: Chain slings for lifting purposes – Grade T and V
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches (as applicable to lifting operations)
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working at height around lifting operations)