Rigging & Lifting Slings

Rigging and Lifting Slings for Australian Industry

Rigging and lifting slings are the load-bearing connection between a crane hook and the load — the components that take the weight of the lift and translate the lifting force into a controlled load path. Australian lifting work is governed by AS 1353 (flat synthetic webbing slings), AS 3775 (chain slings), and AS 4497 (round slings), with broader use covered by AS 2550. AIMS Industrial supplies rigging and lifting slings compliant with the relevant standards from Austlift, Beaver, and Yoke for Australian trade and industrial customers.

The sling types we stock

• Webbing slings (flat synthetic) — soft slings for delicate or finished surfaces, lightweight, easy to handle
• Round slings — endless polyester slings with abrasion-resistant covers, balanced strength in any orientation
• Chain slings — Grade 80 and Grade 100 chain slings for heavy lifting, harsh environments, and high-temperature work
• Wire rope slings — for heavy and abrasive applications where chain or webbing isn't suitable
• Multi-leg slings — 2, 3, and 4-leg configurations for balanced lifting of awkward loads

Working load limits and safety factors

Sling working load limit (WLL) is the maximum rated load for a straight vertical lift. Multi-leg slings derate based on the angle between the legs — wider angles reduce capacity significantly. Webbing and round slings are colour-coded by capacity (purple, green, yellow, grey, red, brown, blue, orange — the standard sequence). Chain slings carry tags showing the WLL and chain grade.

Compliance — AS 1353, AS 3775, AS 4497

All slings used in Australian workplaces must comply with the applicable standard:

• AS 1353 — flat synthetic webbing slings
• AS 4497 — round synthetic slings
• AS 3775 — chain slings (Grade T/G80, V/G100)

Slings must be supplied with capacity tags, inspected before each use, and inspected by a competent person at intervals specified by the workplace's lifting safety management system. Damaged slings must be removed from service immediately — there is no in-field repair for synthetic or chain slings.

Choosing the right sling type

• Webbing slings — best for finished surfaces, painted goods, and where weight matters; not for sharp edges or hot loads
• Round slings — best for heavy synthetic lifting where strength-to-weight matters; protected cover handles light abrasion
• Chain slings — best for heavy lifting, hot loads, sharp edges, and harsh environments where synthetic slings would fail
• Wire rope slings — best for very heavy lifting, abrasive industrial environments, and where chain is too rigid

Brands stocked at AIMS

Austlift covers the comprehensive Australian-distributed sling range across webbing, round, and chain slings. Beaver supplies chain slings, hardware, and rigging components. Yoke covers the shackle and chain hardware that complements the sling range.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Rigging and lifting slings sit alongside our broader lifting equipment range — see lifting shackles, plate clamps, Pacific Hoists chain blocks, and rigging screws for the broader range.

Need help speccing slings for a specific lift or compliance audit? contact our team — we'll work through load, sling type, and configuration.