A crane operator is using a two-leg chain sling with a WLL of 5,000 kg at a 60-degree included angle (30 degrees from vertical). If the crew accidentally uses the sling with an included angle of 90 degrees (45 degrees from vertical), what will be the impact on the sling's safe working capacity for that specific lift?

Question: A crane operator is using a two-leg chain sling with a WLL of 5,000 kg at a 60-degree included angle (30 degrees from vertical). If the crew accidentally uses the sling with an included angle of 90 degrees (45 degrees from vertical), what will be the impact on the sling's safe working capacity for that specific lift?

Answer options:

• The safe working capacity will increase.
• The safe working capacity will remain the same. ✅ The safe working capacity will decrease.
• The safe working capacity will only change if the chain links stretch.

Correct answer: The safe working capacity will decrease.

Explanation: As the included angle of a multi-leg sling increases (or the angle from vertical for each leg increases), the effective WLL for that specific angle decreases. A wider angle puts more tension on each leg for the same load, thus reducing the total load the sling system can safely lift.