The Lifting and Rigging Industries, as well as the public, should be aware that a draft Australian Standard for “Textile slings for general purpose lifting operations made from fibre ropes – High modulus polyethylene (HMPE)” is currently open for public comment.
The new standard AS18264, which is to replace AS13180.1:1999 Fibre rope slings, is essentially an adoption of the ISO standard ISO:18264 for some small changes.
Here is the link to the comments page: https://comment.standards.org.au/Drafts/b2994da3-d8d6-48cd-b5fd-31a477ed5b8b
Jeff Pogson has 25 years industry experience as a licenced Rigger and Dogman, he is a committee member on multiple Australian standards committees, and also the National Technical & Product Development Manager for SpanSet Australia. Pogson believes the proposed changes to the Standard require wider debate and interested parties should lodge their comments on the Standards Australia website.
“Like all Australians, I want to see every worker safe, and I believe there are a number of changes required to this standard to ensure that this happens. Currently the design factor (safety factor) for synthetic round slings (as per AS4497:2018) is 7:1, this means that a 1 tonne sling has a minimum breaking strength of 7 tonnes. This design factor helps to ensure that in the event of overload, shock-load, and even minor damage, that the load will not be released.
“The proposed design factor for this standard has been lowered to 5:1, and this has been based on the HMPE having the same characteristics as wire rope (AS1666). Whilst HMPE may have similar tensile properties and elongation characteristics as wire rope, it does not have similar abrasion or cut resistance. The original ISO standard shows the European Union as having 7:1, so why should we adopt this lower safety factor?,” he said.
“Also, when we make a synthetic round sling (AS4497:2018) or a synthetic flat sling AS1353.1:1997 we are obliged to proof test the sling to ensure that it is fit for purpose and manufactured correctly. In section 7.4.3.1 Proof Test of the draft standard, states ‘Unless specified by the purchaser, sling constructions are not required to be proof tested prior to their initial use if all components of the sling are new. Why again are we settling for less and possibly endangering our workforce?”
A fibre rope slings strength is from a combination of the rope strength and also the splice / splices. In section 6.2.1 Splicing the draft standard talks about “the splicer being trained and competent and that the splice be carried out in accordance with the splicing instructions provided by the manufacturer, its authorized representative, or a competent person. Samples of these splices shall have been previously created in accordance with the application requirements and successfully verified by testing in accordance with clause 7. Clause 7 states in section 7.2 that All testing and examination shall be carried out by a competent person. In other Australian standards AS4497:2018, AS3775:2014 state; Competency standards and procedures relating to the role and duties of competent persons shall include the requirements of this Standard. They shall incorporate an established competency-based training course. Documentation of competency standards and procedures shall be maintained.”
In AS4497:2018 the round sling standard, a competent person shall be tested for Visual Acuity, so they can see faults. Further the standard states; “Person’s manufacturing, testing and using roundslings shall be competent persons for the tasks they are performing, including being competent to detect and evaluate defects and weaknesses that may affect the intended performance of the roundslings. The draft standard does not include these requirements.
“There are many other items within the draft standard that can be seen as lowering standards, therefore I urge interested parties to comment on the draft by visiting Standards Australia’s website and commenting on the appropriate sections of the standard. Thus, ensuring that we have a standard to keep workers safe,” said Pogson.
Here is the link to the comments page: https://comment.standards.org.au/Drafts/b2994da3-d8d6-48cd-b5fd-31a477ed5b8b