Synthetic fiber sling strength in construction

February 10, 1994

Mr. Jay P. Shapiro, P.E.
Howard I. Shapiro & Associates
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Shapiro:

This is in response to your October 20, 1993, letter to Mr. David Lashgari, Office of Construction and Engineering, requesting an interpretation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards addressing the use of synthetic fiber slings. Your letter was forwarded to this office for response. I apologize for the delay in responding to your letter.

As you point out in your letter, synthetic fiber slings made of Spectra fiber are not addressed in OSHA's construction standards (Part 1926). To our knowledge, an industry consensus standard has not yet been developed that addresses the use of this material. OSHA's rigging standards do address other synthetic fiber slings and they require a safety factor ranging from 6 for polypropylene rope slings to 9 for nylon and polyester rope slings. If Spectra fiber slings are used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and a safety factor of at least 6 is maintained, OSHA would consider the sling to be in compliance with the strength requirement. The general provisions of 29 CFR 1926.251 would, of course, still apply to this product.

If we can be of any future assistance please contact me or Mr. Dale Cavanaugh of my staff at (202) 219-8136.

Sincerely,
Roy F. Gurnham, P.E., J.D.
Director
Office of Construction and Maritime
Compliance Assistance

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]