A synthetic web sling with a knot should be...

• A. Taken out of service
• B. Kept for spare use
• C. Used after repair
• D. Used in non-critical lifts

Answer: (A)

A knot in a synthetic web sling drastically weakens it and must be removed from service. Knots create high-stress concentrations and damage the individual fibers, disrupting the load-carrying capability of the sling’s webbing. Because you can’t reliably inspect or repair a knotted sling, safety standards require retiring it and replacing it with an intact sling. Using it for any lift, even a so-called non-critical one, is unsafe, and keeping it for spare use or using it after repair would be inappropriate. The correct action is to replace the damaged sling and tag it out of service.