16.1 FOREWORD

Flat woven webbing slings, also commonly known as belt slings, are used for a variety of lifting purposes. They are a form of textile sling which is soft and easy to handle whilst offering rigidity across their width. These qualities make them ideal for handling loads which require some support when being lifted as the load is spread across the full width of the webbing, thus avoiding point contact as is the case with chains or ropes. They are therefore less liable to damage finished surfaces than rope, wire rope or chain slings. However, they are less robust and more easily damaged than equivalent capacity wire rope and chain slings.