Why webbing slings manufacturers are critical for offshore and oil & gas lifting

In high-stakes lifting operations, such as those conducted in offshore platforms or oil & gas production environments, the margin for error is minimal. Loads are often heavy, irregular, and suspended over personnel or critical infrastructure. While steel wire rope and chain slings are widely used in heavy lifting, webbing slings have emerged as an essential complement in specific offshore and petrochemical lifting scenarios.

However, their performance and safety are directly tied to the standards, materials, and quality control practices of the webbing slings manufacturer behind them. In the context of Saudi Arabia’s expanding offshore energy sector and complex onshore processing facilities, understanding the critical role of the manufacturer is essential for lifting engineers, rigging supervisors, and procurement teams.

Application of webbing slings in oil & gas and offshore lifting

Webbing slings are lightweight, flexible lifting devices made from high-strength polyester or polyamide fibers. In offshore and oilfield settings, they are typically used for:

• Lifting of coated, polished, or delicate equipment (e.g., valves, filters, instrumentation)
• Handling of non-crane-accessible components inside modular skids or confined zones
• Lifting tasks requiring reduced equipment weight (important in flare stacks, derrick platforms)
• Slinging of fragile composite piping systems or temporary lifting during NDT or inspection rounds

Their soft surface helps reduce damage to load edges or finishes, which is a critical factor in hazardous area equipment integrity.

Risks associated with substandard webbing slings

Webbing slings used in hazardous or marine environments face unique operational threats:

• UV degradation, particularly in exposed desert-offshore transition zones
• Hydrocarbon absorption, weakening the fiber structure if improperly treated
• Abrasion from steel edges or sharp corners, common during mechanical lifts

Failures caused by chemical damage, stitching degradation, or weakened fiber integrity can lead to dropped loads or catastrophic offshore incidents. Instead of theoretical risks, the investigation reports in the oil & gas sector have repeatedly traced sling failure to:

• Unverified stitching patterns
• Inconsistent load rating labelling
• Poor-quality synthetic yarns are used during manufacturing

For this reason, quality assurance and traceability practices of the webbing slings manufacturer become as critical as proper end-user handling.

Manufacturer responsibilities beyond compliance

1. Material specification and treatment

Reputable manufacturers ensure that slings are made from UV-resistant, low-stretch polyester or polyamide materials, often treated for resistance against hydrocarbon and saltwater exposure. Fabric weaving must maintain consistent tensile strength across the sling body, particularly near the eyes.

2. Manufacturing to international standards

Webbing slings should comply with EN 1492-1, ASME B30.9, or ISO 4878, depending on the site and client requirements. This includes:

• Color coding by Working Load Limit (WLL)
• Accurate labelling with traceable batch numbers
• Red core warning yarns to signal overuse or damage

Manufacturers that follow these standards help site operators minimize ambiguity during inspections and audits, a core requirement in the Saudi oil & gas sector.

3. Load testing and proof certificates

A reliable webbing slings manufacturer will conduct proof load testing at 2x the WLL and provide detailed certification. In offshore projects under Aramco or SABIC oversight, these documents are not optional; they are required for initial lifting plan approval and ongoing audits.

4. Customization for harsh environments

Projects involving flare stacks, subsea components, or sensitive instrumentation often require:

• Special lengths
• Reinforced eyes
• Double-layer webbing
• Edge guards or anti-spark treatments

Manufacturers capable of delivering project-specific webbing slings contribute directly to operational continuity and reduced rigging delays.

Strategic supply in a regulated sector

In a region where offshore lifting operations intersect with extreme temperatures, corrosive atmospheres, and regulatory scrutiny, the quality of lifting gear cannot be assumed, but it must be engineered and validated. Webbing slings offer critical operational advantages in oil & gas, but only when backed by manufacturers that prioritize material integrity, load verification, and compliance.

Choosing a qualified webbing slings manufacturer is a decision that impacts safety, uptime, and project compliance in one of the world’s most demanding lifting environments. Saudi Dutest is actively involved in the supply and inspection of lifting gear across the Kingdom’s petrochemical, oilfield, and EPC markets. As an authorized distributor of high-integrity webbing slings and synthetic lifting systems, they ensure compliance with API, EN, and regional safety directives.

Categorised in: Lifting Equipment, Lifting equipment supplier, Webbing Sling

This post was written by Second Admin