What Is the Lifespan of a Round Sling?

A rigging supervisor pulls a round sling from the storage rack. It has been in service for several years. The cover looks intact, the label is legible, and there are no visible cuts. But is it still safe to use?

Unlike a carton of milk, a round sling does not come with a "best before" date. However, that does not mean it lasts forever. The question of lifespan is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—topics in rigging safety.

Lishenflex has been manufacturing synthetic round slings for decades, and our field experience shows that service life depends on a combination of factors: usage frequency, environmental conditions, storage practices, and inspection findings. There is no single answer, but there are clear guidelines. According to norelem, a manufacturer of roundslings compliant with DIN EN 1492-2, these slings are made of high-strength endless polyester fibre cords with a protective sleeve, and they carry a safety factor of 7:1 (e.g., WLL 1000 kg = break load 7000 kg). However, the actual lifespan in the field depends on how they are used and maintained.

What Is the "Official" Lifespan of a Round Sling?

There is no universal expiration date for round slings. However, some manufacturers specify a maximum service life. According to Frontline Safety's Abtech round sling product information, the round slings have a maximum life span of 10 years from the recorded first use, though the actual service life depends on the conditions in which it is used. Similarly, AIMS Industrial Supplies notes that the typical service-life limit for synthetic slings is 10 years from manufacture.

According to the Industrial Production safety guide, lifting slings and round slings have neither a best-before date nor an expiry date. They can be used for many years—and sometimes even decades—if used as intended and stored and maintained correctly. However, the decisive factor is their technical condition, not their age. EN 1492 does not specify a maximum service life; it requires that the sling's condition determines its fitness for use.

Critical note: The 10-year figure is a maximum under ideal conditions—it is not a guarantee. A round sling used in harsh conditions may need replacement far sooner, while a sling stored properly and used infrequently might last longer.

Factors That Shorten Round Sling Lifespan

According to the Government of Western Australia's Mines Safety Bulletin No. 155, round slings are more vulnerable to physical damage, sunlight (ultraviolet), chemicals and excessive heat than some other types of lifting gear. These are the primary factors that reduce service life.

Physical Damage

Cuts, abrasion, and impact damage are the most common causes of premature round sling retirement. According to Washington Administrative Code (WAC 296-155-55825), holes, tears, cuts, abrasive wear, or snags that expose the core yarns are conditions requiring immediate removal from service. AIMS Industrial Supplies states that any cut through the webbing or jacket exposing the load-bearing fibres mandates immediate retirement—a small cut becomes a large failure under load.

UV Degradation

According to the WorkSafe WA bulletin, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light reduces the integrity of round slings. WAC 296-155-55825 specifically notes that sling strength is degraded by exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet light, and the sling manufacturer or a qualified person should be consulted for additional retirement or inspection requirements. Fading of the cover colour is a visual warning sign that UV damage may have occurred.

Chemical Exposure

Contact with acids, alkalis, or other chemicals can weaken the load-bearing core without visible surface damage. According to WorkSafe WA, the adverse effects of chemicals will reduce the integrity of round slings. As noted in the CERTEX Danmark article, if you have any questions about the condition of your equipment, you should have it inspected—chemical damage is often invisible.

Heat Damage

Round slings are rated for temperatures from -40°C to +100°C for polyester and polyamide per EN 1492-2. According to WorkSafe WA, excessive heat reduces the integrity of round slings. WAC 296-155-55825 lists evidence of heat damage as a condition requiring immediate removal from service. Heat damage may appear as stiff, brittle, or discoloured areas on the sling.

Inspection-Based Lifespan: Condition Over Age

The most important principle in determining round sling lifespan is condition-based replacement. The Industrial Production guide states that whether a lifting sling or a round sling may be used depends solely on its technical condition. They are work equipment for which the employer must determine and specify the type, scope and intervals of inspections as part of the risk assessment.

According to AS 4497:2018, the Australian standard for synthetic fibre roundslings, a competent person must be able to choose the correct roundsling and inspect them based on the condition, geometry of the assembly, and manner in which the load is attached. AS 4497:2018 Clause 4.17.4 states that slings should be withdrawn from service immediately if unexplained lumps are observed under the cover.

Lumps in the Core—A Critical Inspection Point

The WorkSafe WA bulletin provides detailed guidance on a key issue: lumps felt through the cover of a round sling are often confusing to inspectors. The bulletin explains that:

• Permissible terminations in the yarn may sometimes be felt as a small lump—these are not a defect.

• Hard, pea-sized lumps are most likely foreign matter—also not a defect.

• A large hard thickening over a significant length from a failed core bunching up—this is a defect requiring immediate retirement.

This distinction is critical: misidentifying a damaged core lump as a permissible termination could lead to catastrophic failure, while misidentifying a permissible termination as damage could lead to unnecessary scrapping of a serviceable sling. AS4497:2018 provides no further guidance on distinguishing these lumps—which is why WorkSafe WA emphasizes that users and inspection personnel must be sufficiently competent to detect and evaluate any defects or weaknesses.

Inspection Frequency and Documentation

Per WAC 296-155-55825 and AS 4497:2018:

• Pre-use visual inspection: Before each use, conducted by the operator.

• Frequent inspection: Daily or each shift for severe service.

• Periodic inspection: At least annually for normal service, quarterly for severe service.

• Documentation: A written record of the most recent periodic inspection must be kept available, including the condition of the sling.

When to Retire a Round Sling

Immediate retirement is required when (per WAC 296-155-55825, WorkSafe WA, and EN 1492-2):

• Missing or illegible sling identification

• Acid or caustic burns

• Evidence of heat damage

• Holes, tears, cuts, abrasive wear or snags that expose core yarns

• Broken or damaged core yarns

• Weld spatter that exposes core yarns

• Unexplained lumps in the core (per AS4497:2018)

• Fading, bleaching, or brittleness indicating UV damage

• Knots in the sling

• Damaged fittings (pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, or broken)

• Load drop or suspected overload—remove immediately even if no visible damage

Summary and Practical Recommendations

A round sling does not have a fixed expiration date, but it does have a finite service life. The maximum lifespan under ideal conditions is approximately 10 years from first use, but this is a guideline—not a guarantee. Environmental factors, physical damage, and improper storage can shorten service life significantly, while proper care can maximize it.

Key takeaways:

1. There is no universal expiry date—service life depends on condition, not age.

2. 10 years is the maximum under ideal conditions—most slings will need replacement sooner.

3. Environmental factors are the main lifespan reducers—UV, chemicals, and heat all degrade sling integrity.

4. Inspect before every use—daily visual checks catch visible damage.

5. Periodic inspections by a competent person are mandatory—per AS4497:2018 and WAC 296-155-55825.

6. Unexplained lumps in the core are a retirement criterion—per AS4497:2018.

7. When in doubt, scrap it out—a replacement sling costs far less than a dropped load.

Lishenflex manufactures polyester round slings to EN 1492-2 and AS4497:2018 standards, with clear color-coded capacity markings and a 7:1 safety factor. Our products are available with single or double sleeves, and we provide inspection training and documentation guidance to support your safety program.

If you need assistance determining whether your round slings are still serviceable—or need help establishing an inspection schedule for your sling inventory—please send an email to sales@lishenflex.com, and our technical team will provide one-on-one support.