Webbing, straps and slings

Webbing is the flat woven strap used in ratchet straps, lifting slings and climbing gear. This page covers the fibres, the labels, and when a strap should be thrown away.

Polyester, nylon and polypropylene

Webbing slings are made from polyester, nylon or polypropylene. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association sets out how they differ.

Polyester resists moderate acids but is damaged by alkalis. Nylon resists alkalis but is attacked by moderate acids. It can also lose around 15% of its strength when wet. Polypropylene is little affected by acids or alkalis, but some solvents, tars and paints damage it.

Polyester and nylon slings can be used from −40°C to 100°C. Polypropylene's upper limit is lower, at 80°C.

Reading a ratchet strap label

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) says a ratchet strap should be made to BS EN 12195-2. The label should say so, and show when the strap was made.

DVSA says the two most important figures on the label are these. The lashing capacity (LC) is the most force the strap can safely take in a straight pull without damage. The standard tension force (STF) is the tension you create when you ratchet it down. Both are given in decanewtons (daN).

Some labels also show a breaking strength. DVSA says you do not need it to work out how many straps a load needs.

Looking after a strap

DVSA says sharp edges, the weather, oil and dirt all damage webbing. Sleeves or corner protectors help, and so does storing straps somewhere dry.

DVSA's guidance for goods vehicles says to check straps at least every 6 months, and to look for damage before each use. A strap that is badly damaged must be replaced. A strap should never be knotted where it is under tension.

Carrying a load on a car

The Highway Code says a load must be secure and must not stick out dangerously. For a roof rack, DVSA says to use ratchet straps, not rope or bungee cords.

Lifting slings

A webbing sling used for lifting at work falls under separate rules, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, known as LOLER. Every sling must be marked with its safe working load. The Health and Safety Executive says slings should usually have a thorough examination every 6 months.

Some slings are dyed a colour to show their working load. LEEA warns that colour codes vary, and that many people are colour blind to some degree. The label is what to check.

Climbing slings

A climbing sling should be sewn, and made to the standard EN 566. The British Mountaineering Council advises against tying your own from tape, because the knot can slip.

A sling that has gone faded, furry or stiff should be retired. So should one with cuts, abrasion or broken threads. In a test the BMC reported in 2006, an abraded sling had lost up to 30% of its strength.

Buying webbing online

Webbing you buy from a business must be of satisfactory quality and match its description. If you tell the seller what you need it for, it must be reasonably fit for that purpose.

You can usually cancel an online order within 14 days of delivery. That right does not cover goods made to your own specification. If webbing is cut to a length you choose, ask the seller whether you can still return it.

Useful links