Rated capacities for alloy steel chain slings under revised ASTM A391

April 11, 1988

Mr. Bo Collier
Sales and Marketing Director
Certified Slings, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Collier:

This is in response to your letter of January 26, 1988, concerning the rated capacity of alloy steel chain slings and confirms your telephone conversation with Mr. Bode of my staff.

As you are aware, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 CFR 1910.184(e), copy enclosed, incorporates the rated capacity of alloy steel chain specified by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) at ASTM A391-65. The working load values listed in table N-184-1 are applicable to alloy steel chain slings manufactured from material specified by the ASTM A391-65 standard only.

The ASTM revised A391 in 1986 and now describe a new variant of alloy steel chain in ASTM A391-86. 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(5) specifies that alloy steel chain slings not included in the table N-184-1 shall be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Therefore, the OSHA standard continues to be applicable to the new alloy.

Manufacturers are cautioned to observe footnote B, table 2, of the ASTM A391-86 standard, copy enclosed. The A391 committee recommends a working load not to exceed one fourth of the specified breaking force (minimum) value. Therefore, in the absence of manufacturer's recommendations, OSHA would use this criteria for evaluating compliance when new slings are observed.

Thank you for bringing this information to our attention. If we may be of further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[The copies of 29 CFR 1910.184(e) and ASTM A391-86 mentioned as enclosures are not reproduced on OSHA's page.]