Free Safe Operating Procedure (Sling Selection Check) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Sling Selection Check) Template

Lifting operations present significant risks, and incorrect sling selection is a common factor in incidents involving dropped loads. This Free Safe Operating Procedure (Sling Selection Check) Template provides a structured framework for ensuring that personnel consistently choose the appropriate lifting gear for every task.

Using this SOP helps your organisation formalise safety protocols, reduce the risk of equipment damage and worker injury, and demonstrate a commitment to safe systems of work. A well-defined procedure is a critical element for training, competency assessments, and creating a predictable, safe working environment.

Implementing specific procedures like this is a practical step in building a comprehensive safety framework. This SOP should be integrated into your organisation's overall WHS management system to ensure it aligns with broader policies and objectives for workplace health and safety.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Sling Selection Check) Template

This template is available as a DOCX file for easy customisation and a PDF for straightforward printing and distribution. It is designed as a starting point, providing a logical structure and key safety considerations based on Australian WHS principles.

IMPORTANT: This document is a template only. We have created it as a guide, and you must customise it to reflect the specific hazards, equipment (e.g., chain, synthetic, or wire rope slings), personnel, and procedures of your workplace.

We recommend a consultation process with your team, including operators and supervisors, to ensure the final SOP is practical, understood, and effective.

This procedure is often used in conjunction with equipment-specific instructions. For example, the checks outlined here would be essential when using lifting attachments on machinery, as detailed in our FREE Telehandler SOP Template.

When to use a Sling Selection Check

A thorough sling selection check is not a one-time activity. It is a critical safety behaviour that should be embedded into daily operations. This SOP should be referenced and its principles applied:

• Before every lift: The primary use is by the operator or rigger as a pre-task checklist to verify the suitability of the selected slings.
• During periodic inspections: The criteria within the SOP can inform the process for scheduled, in-depth inspections of all lifting gear by a competent person.
• For training and inductions: Use the documented procedure as a tool to train new workers or refresh the skills of existing employees on safe lifting practices.
• Following an incident or near-miss: The SOP serves as a benchmark to review what went wrong and identify gaps in procedure or understanding. Regular reviews and updates are also vital for maintaining safety standards, often forming part of routine WHS compliance auditing.

Who should use this Safe Operating Procedure

This Safe Operating Procedure is intended for all personnel involved in planning, supervising, or executing lifting operations. This includes:

• Doggers and Riggers: As the primary users responsible for selecting, inspecting, and attaching slings.
• Crane and Plant Operators: Individuals operating equipment like mobile cranes, gantry cranes, or forklifts with lifting jibs who need to verify the rigging is safe before taking the load.
• Supervisors and Team Leaders: To oversee lifting operations, confirm procedures are being followed, and provide guidance.
• WHS and Safety Officers: For use in developing site-wide safety standards, conducting risk assessments, and delivering training.

A PCBU has a primary duty of care to ensure the provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures, and safe systems of work. Documenting procedures for high-risk tasks is a fundamental part of fulfilling this duty, whether it's for lifting gear or for other machinery outlined in resources like our FREE Conveyer System SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) Template.