Why Are Polyester Slings Different Colours?
Polyester webbing slings are ideal for lifting loads where the surface must not be damaged or weakened during handling.
You may have noticed that flat webbing slings and round slings are available in different colours. This is no coincidence. The colour of the sling indicates its Working Load Limit (WLL) and is defined by European standards. Flat webbing slings comply with EN 1492-1, while round slings comply with EN 1492-2.
These standards assign a specific colour to each Working Load Limit, making it quick and easy to identify the lifting capacity of a sling.
| Working Load Limit (WLL) | Colour |
|---|---|
| 1 tonne | Purple |
| 2 tonnes | Green |
| 3 tonnes | Yellow |
| 4 tonnes | Grey |
| 5 tonnes | Red |
| 6 tonnes | Brown |
| 8 tonnes | Blue |
| 10 tonnes and above | Orange |
In addition to the colour coding, there are other ways to determine the Working Load Limit of a polyester sling.
Identification Label
The identification label is the most reliable source of information for determining the Working Load Limit.
According to the European standards, polyester webbing slings and round slings must be fitted with a durable blue sewn-in label containing the required statutory information.
Part of this label is sewn into the overlap of the sling for traceability purposes. The visible section includes important information such as:
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Manufacturer identification
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Year of manufacture
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Material
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Effective working length
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Serial number
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Batch number
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Applicable European standard
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Working Load Limit (WLL)
The reverse side of the visible label—or an additional label—also specifies the permitted Working Load Limits for different slinging configurations, such as choke hitches or basket hitches.
Black Stripes
A final method of identifying the Working Load Limit is by counting the black stripes woven into the sling.
Although this method is not included in EN 1492, it is widely recognised within the lifting industry.
Each continuous black stripe represents 1 tonne of Working Load Limit.
Please note that slings with a Working Load Limit of 12 tonnes or more do not use black stripes, so the label and colour coding should always be used to verify their capacity.
The Working Load Limit (WLL) tables show both the colour codes and the maximum lifting capacities for the different types of webbing slings.
Visit our website to view the complete WLL tables for both flat webbing slings and round slings.
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Upper section of the label / Hidden section: Sewn beneath the overlap for traceability and reference purposes.
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Lower section / Visible section: Contains the information visible during normal use.
Download our whitepaper
This white paper explores the day-to-day practice of safe lifting operations. Learn how to use lifting equipment safely, how to sling loads correctly, what common mistakes to avoid, and how to carry out proper inspection, maintenance, and certification. Discover the key principles and best practices for creating the safest possible lifting environment for your employees.
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Knowledge file Safe Lifting
Use lifting equipment safely and correctly. Learn how to sling loads properly and how to inspect, examine, and certify lifting equipment to ensure safe and responsible lifting operations.
