A few points of interest arise from the article Synthetic sling safety in the February 2001 issue.

European (CEN) standards (ENs) with the adopted generic name ‘Textile slings’ are prepared under the direction of CEN/Technical Committee 168; the actual drafting is done by a working group (CEN/TC 168 WG3).

‘Textile slings’ are comprised entirely from non-metallic materials, or mostly from non-metallic materials but having metal fittings/attachments. The working group considered the word ‘synthetic’ as meaning ‘pertaining to or involving synthesis; of organic compounds, produced by artificial synthesis’ and ‘of a substance; made by chemical synthesis in imitation of a natural product’.

The working group concluded that the subject materials (polyester, polyamide and polypropylene) were not made ‘in imitation’ of a natural product, but that they had characteristics and qualities in their own right and hence were more properly described as ‘man-made’ fibres and not ‘synthetics’.

Without detracting in any way from the value of the advice given by Michael Gesky in the subject article, the EN standards include an annex which deals with the correct selection, inspection and safe use of the subject product.