How lifting protection sleeves help extend the lifespan of your lifting equipment

Webbing slings are used to lift and move heavy loads in demanding industries such as construction, logistics, manufacturing and shipping.

These slings face constant exposure to rough surfaces, abrasion and harsh environments, which can weaken them over time and could lead to accidents and injuries, damage to goods and costly replacements.

By using lifting protection sleeves, companies can safeguard their slings from deterioration and breakage, significantly extending the lifespan of their lifting equipment and increasing safety.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of lifting sleeves, materials they are commonly crafted from and how they protect lifting slings against damage.

 

What are lifting protection sleeves?

Lifting protection sleeves are designed to shield webbing slings from damage, acting as a barrier between the sling and potentially harmful surfaces or materials to prevent wear and tear that can weaken the sling over time.

They can be left free to move along the sling or be stitched onto a fixed point.

By reducing the risk of cuts, fraying or degradation, lifting protection sleeves extend the lifespan of the webbing sling and enhance safety in lifting operations.

 

What are they made from?

Lifting protection sleeves are constructed from a variety of high-strength materials, each designed to suit different operations and environments.

Polyester is most commonly used for lifting sleeves because of its affordability, flexibility, strength and high resistance to mildew and rot.

High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) is becoming a popular material for lifting protection sleeves for businesses operating in more extreme environments. This is due to its long-lasting durability and high resistance to chemicals and UV exposure.

Another alternative is Para-aramid. This material is lightweight and flexible, highly resistant to cuts and abrasion, and can handle extreme temperatures of up to 200˚C.

Para-aramid is therefore ideal for demanding and high-temperature applications such as metal and glass manufacturing, chemical plants and emergency and rescue operations.

 

What types of damage do they protect against?

Webbing slings potentially encounter varying types of damage, depending on specific environmental and operational conditions.

Since lifting sleeves can be constructed from varying materials, they can protect against many different causes of damage to keep your lifting equipment operational for longer.

 

Abrasion

Lifting protection sleeves are designed to handle rough surfaces in situations where abrasion is common, such as construction, manufacturing and logistics.

In these environments, heavy loads are transported and lifted regularly, leading to frequent friction that can wear down webbing slings over time.

The tightly woven fibres of a polyester protection sleeve provide a durable, protective barrier against rough surfaces and abrasion during lifting operations.

This prevents the sling from fraying and degrading, reducing the risk of the webbing sling breaking and extending the lifespan of the lifting system.

 

Cuts and tears

Lifting sleeves can prevent accidental cuts or tears from sharp objects or materials, such as the rough edges of machinery, metal objects or debris commonly found in transportation, manufacturing and emergency operations.

The high-strength HMPE fibres means that these protection sleeves are highly resistant to cuts, significantly reducing the risk of slings getting damaged during lifts.

This level of protection ensures that lifting slings can withstand repeated use in tough conditions, improving safety while extending the working life of the equipment.

 

Environmental factors

Lifting sleeves also offer protection against environmental factors which can degrade unprotected slings and affect their performance.

Since HMPE is highly resistant to UV rays, this ensures lifting protection sleeves maintain their strength and durability even when exposed to frequent sunlight, making them ideal for outdoor use in industries like construction and shipping.

HMPE is also resistant to many chemicals, which prevents corrosion or weakening in harsh industrial environments, such as chemical plants or oil and gas operations.

Plus, polyester is naturally water and moisture resistant due to its tightly woven fibres. This ensures that protection sleeves made from this material maintain their integrity even in damp or wet conditions.

 

How can Trans-Web help?

We have over 35 years’ experience crafting webbing slings and protection sleeves from premium polyester materials.

Available in single part, double part and light-duty variations, our protection sleeves can be tailored to any length to fit your requirements.

We’re constantly innovating and developing our products with the latest technology and materials to ensure the highest quality of lifting, lashing and height safety equipment for our customers.

Our upcoming release of HMPE and Para-aramid protection sleeves are designed to enhance the durability of your lifting equipment for an even longer lifespan.

To find out more about how Trans-Web can help your lifting equipment stay stronger for longer, contact us at: https://www.trans-web.co.uk/contact-us/