Inspect Recovery Strap before each use. Do not use a damaged strap. Avoid dragging the strap. Do not tie strap into knots. Do not attach strap to bumpers. Avoid contact with hot exhaust systems. Do not exceed Strap Work Load Limits. Attachment points must be suitable for the application and should exceed the break strength of the strap. Detached connection points can become deadly projectiles.
Stand far away from the vehicle and strap while under tension. Never stand near or in line of a strap under tension. DO NOT SHOCK LOAD THE STRAP. You must consider all factors such as suction and incline to ensure that you maintain control of all materials and components used for recovery, including dynamic loading and tension. If you are not capable of determining loading factors, use load measuring devices or equipment controls to avoid overloading. If these options are not available, DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE STRAP. IMPROPER USE MAY RESULT IN INJURY, DEATH AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. Avoid edges or surfaces that could damage the strap. Use protection to prevent damage to the strap.
Removal From Service
The entire Strap/Rope must be inspected regularly, and it shall be removed from service if ANY of the following are detected:
- If sling identification tag is missing or not readable.
- Holes, tears, cuts, snags or embedded materials.
- Broken or worn stitches in the load bearing splices.
- Knots in any part of the sling webbing.
- Acid or alkali burns.
- Melting, charring or weld spatter on any part of the strap.
- Excessive abrasive wear or crushed webbing.
- Signs of ultraviolet (UV) light degradation.
- Distortion, excessive pitting, corrosion or other damage to fitting(s).
- If provided, exposed red core yarn. However, if damage is present and red yarns are not exposed,
DO NOT USE the strap.
- Any conditions that cause doubt as to the strength of the web sling.
Inspection
A specific procedure for Strap/Rope inspection is the best safeguard against injury, death and property damage. It is important that you employ a three stage, level of inspection to ensure that slings are inspected with the appropriate frequency. It is also important that all inspections must be done by trained and qualified personnel.
Initial Inspection - Whenever a Strap/Rope is initially received, it must be inspected by a designated person to help ensure that the correct Strap/Rope has been received and is undamaged and that the Strap/Rope meets applicable requirements for its intended use.
Frequent Inspection - The Strap/Rope should be inspected before each use, during extended use, and after each use.
Periodic Inspection - Every Strap/Rope must be inspected "periodically" by a qualified and designated person. In order to validate the frequent level of inspection, the periodic inspection should be performed by someone other than the individual(s) who most commonly performs the frequent inspection. The frequency of periodic inspections is based on the Strap/Ropes actual or expected frequency of use, severity of service conditions, the nature of the work performed with the Strap/Rope and experience gained during the inspection of other Strap/Ropes used in similar circumstances.
General guidelines for the frequency of periodic inspections are:
- Normal service—yearly
- Severe service—monthly to quarterly
- Special service—as recommended by a qualified person
Periodic inspections intervals must not exceed one year.
To detect possible damage, you should perform a visual inspection of the entire Strap/Rope and feel along its entire length, as some damage may be felt more than seen. You should look and feel for any of the types of conditions listed in the Removal from Service Criteria, see "Removal from Service".
If you identify ANY of these types of damage in a Strap/Rope, remove it from service immediately, even if the damage you see or feel is not as extensive as shown in example photos. Straps/Ropes that are removed from service must be destroyed and rendered completely unusable unless they can be repaired and proof tested by the manufacturer. Never ignore damage or attempt to perform temporary field repairs of damaged Straps/Ropes, (i.e., tie knots, etc.).
If you are not sure whether or not a sling is damaged, DO NOT USE IT.
Any hazardous condition disclosed by an inspection shall require strap replacement. Temporary repairs are not permitted.
Damage and wear seriously reduce vehicle strap work load limits.
Always know the load weight and select the appropriate vehicle strap for the load.
Ensure that the load will not cut the vehicle strap during use by padding corners, edges, protrusions or abrasive surfaces with
suitable materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction.
Care Cleaning and Storage
To prevent damage to Straps/Ropes, when not in use, we recommend that they be stored in a proper location.
Make sure the location is:
COOL To prevent damage resulting from exposure to excessive temperatures.
DRY To prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can degrade synthetic fibers.
DARK To prevent the detrimental effects of prolonged exposure to sources of ultraviolet light.
FREE OF ENVIRONMENTAL/MECHANICAL DAMAGE
Ventilated and not exposed to heat and chemical exposure, sunlight, weld spatter or grit and splinters from grinding or machining.
Straps/Ropes should also be kept clean and free of dirt, grime and foreign material. Mild soap and water can be used for this purpose. Hard bristle brushes damage webbing, consider using a sponge. Soaking Straps/Ropes in mild soap and water for short periods of time is non-damaging. After cleaning, rinse slings thoroughly and allow them to completely dry before returning them to storage. A clean Strap/Rope, free of dirt and grime is easier to inspect for damage. Consider replacing Straps/Ropes, instead of attempting to clean. The time, energy and resources necessary to be a launderer may exceed the purchase price of replacement gear.
Steam cleaning can damage Straps/Ropes.
Power or pressure washing can force residue inside web and yarn fibers. The foreign material can cause internal yarn and fiber damage.
Straps/Ropes are severely damaged by machine washing, resulting in a serious loss of strength.
