Endless Slings: Splicing the ends of a piece of wire or fiber rope makes an endless sling. It is simple to handle and can be used in several different ways to lift loads. The endless sling is most commonly used as a choker hitch. When the endless sling is used as a choker, personnel pass it around the cargo forming a loop on top of the cargo.
The other end is passed through this loop, pulled tight and attached to the cargo hook. To balance the load, personnel spread apart the two parts of the sling on the bottom of the cargo.
1) The endless sling is also used with running hooks. It may be used as a basket sling or a vertical sling.
(2) Personnel should not use endless slings to lift bagged cargo such as sugar, flour, and cement. These types of items require canvas slings.
Single Slings: A single sling is made of fiber or wire rope. Each end of the single sling is made up with an eye, a hook, a ring, or a thimble, depending on the intended use of the sling. A single sling may be used as a vertical sling, a basket sling, or a choker sling with a choker hitch Single slings made of fiber rope are used for light loads and for cargo that might be damaged by wire slings.
Combination Slings: Combination slings combine two or four single slings to form a bridle, basket, or choker sling. Combination slings can lift virtually any type of load. When several slings are passed under large crates or boxes to form a basket sling, cargo handlers should use spreader bars to prevent crushing.
Chain Slings: These slings are used mainly for handling steel rails, pipes, beams, and angles. Chain slings are used in bridles or single legs (Figure 4-6). Cargo handlers should use dunnage between the chain and the draft to prevent slipping. If necessary, dunnage also should be used between individual pieces in the draft. When hoisting cargo of this type, cargo handlers should make a round turn (complete) with the chain around the draft.
Canvas Slings: A canvas sling is a rope sling with a section of canvas sewn between the ropes. The main type of canvas sling in use is the dirt sling. In commercial practice, canvas slings similar to dirt slings are used for handling cargo such as nitrate.